Are materials different based on where you buy glasses?
Years ago, I bought a nice prescription pair of aviators with glass lenses. They were amazing and lasted for almost a decade. However, when it finally came time to replace them, I learned that you can't get prescription lenses in glass anymore. At least, not from any glasses place where I live. Polycarbonate, or bust. This was disappointing to learn, as my regular glasses have been plastic for years, and they get scratched constantly. But whatever- not much I can do about it.
To keep things simple, I ended up getting the lenses from Walmart. If it's all the same material, no reason to spend more to replace my aviator lenses. Within days, my sunglasses were covered in small scratches. I haven't done anything unusual with them- I've carried them in their Ray-Ban case and in the carrier in my car. My conclusion is that the material used was just extremely soft and prone to scratching.
My question is: did I screw myself by getting the lenses from Walmart? Are all polylcarbonates not created equal, and would I be having less issues if I got my lenses done at a better location? Or are lenses covered in scratches just the accepted standard for glasses today?