There are a Variety of Lens Coatings That You Can Benefit From

In addition to providing vision correction, your glasses can provide other protection or assistance, with the addition of lens coatings. There are several types of available coatings which are worth being aware of.

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Anti-Reflective Coating for Eyeglasses: Worth the Money?

Anti-reflective coatings are a common addition to eyeglass lenses. What benefits do they provide, and are they worth the cost?

Lens coatings: Anti-Reflective, Scratch Resistant, Anti-Fog, UV

There are several different lens coatings available. Learn more about their functions and limitations, so you can make the best choice for your glasses.

Anti-Reflective: Anti-reflective coating makes the lenses reflect less light. This reduces glare, which itself reduces eye strain, can make screen use more comfortable, and prevents additional UV rays from reaching your eye.
Scratch Resistant: Scratch resistant coatings make your lenses more durable, ensuring that minor falls which may have led to scratches on uncoated lenses do no damage, allowing you to keep using your glasses for even longer.
Anti-Fog: A more niche addition to lenses, anti-fog coatings are helpful for those moving between warm and cold environments frequently, and those who expect to encounter other situations on a regular basis which lead to your lenses getting fogged up.
Anti-UV: While many lenses today come with UV protection built in, it is not universal, and it is important for your eyes’ long term health to ensure you have the best UV protection possible. Be sure to ask before making a purchase if your lenses will have UV protection built in, or if it’s something you can have added on.

Anti-Reflective Coating for Eyeglasses: Worth the Money? Why Would You Need This?

If you’ve been doing research into what options there are for glasses, you may have come across mentions of anti-reflective coatings that you can have put on the rear side of the lenses.

Lens Coatings: Anti-Reflective, Scratch Resistant, Anti-Fog, UV

You may have heard your eyecare professional mention, at times, different coatings that can be put on glasses or sunglasses, or seen them mentioned elsewhere. But what are these different available lens coatings, and what can they do for you?

Stop by our office and speak with one of our opticians to learn more about the lens coatings that would fit your lifestyle and needs

Common Questions

What lens coatings should I get on my glasses?

This is another tricky one because there's no one size fits all approach. We have to consider the patient, diagnoses, frame and Rx before we make a determination regarding AR coatings. Generally speaking, with the people who fit into "normal" Rx ranges and diagnoses most AR coatings would suffice. It really depends on usage of the Rx but your standard Super Hydrophobic Anti-Glare coating would be a good place to start for anyone.

What is anti reflective coating on glasses?

Anti-reflective coating is almost just as it sounds. It is a very thin coating that's applied to the lens to help light move more cleanly through the lens. What this means is that the incoming light gets to your retina without bouncing around or heading in other directions. This reduces glare and makes vision a touch sharper. Some anti-glare coatings also have added benefits. Some coatings are also hydrophobic, meaning they repel water. Some also provide added scratch, dirt and dust resistance.

How long does anti reflective (AR) coating last

This depends on a few factors. AR coatings can last anywhere from six months to seven or more years and here's the breakdown. Just like everything else, there are different companies offering different tiers of AR coatings. Not surprising, the most expensive usually last the longest. Generally, if you keep your A coatings away from chemicals, extreme and prolonged heat exposure, clean appropriately, you can get a long life from them.

Is anti scratch coating necessary for glasses?

Hardly anything is necessary when it comes to lenses, aside for the proper fulfilling of the Rx. However, there are things to be done that can improve the overall optical experience like adding an anti-scratch/anti-reflective coating to your lenses. So, let's make a distinction from the get go to avoid confusion later. All anti-scratch coatings are also anti-reflective or anti-glare but not all anti-reflective coatings have a scratch resistant quality. This is important when deciding on what type of anti-reflective to get on your lenses. Every anti-reflective is constructed differently and some offer just the refractive qualities of an anti-reflective while others incorporate the scratch resistance element as well. While it isn't necessary there are a myriad of benefits to choosing a scratch resistant coating for lenses. Not only do you get the benefits from your standard AR lenses but you'll also get that smoother, hydrophobic, scratch resistance which can contribute to an increase in lens longevity. Meaning, with a little bit of care, you'll get a lot more wear. Furthermore we strongly recommend getting scratch resistant coatings for children's glasses, because kids will be kids.

What are the best lens options for UV protection?

So essentially all lenses when they're poured or cast have UV protection built into them. You can add to this protection with transition or photochromic lenses which block all UVA and UVB rays. Anti-glare coatings also offer protection as well as choosing to polarize your lenses instead of tinting them or getting transitions.

Summary

There are many different options of lens coatings available, these are the four main options. Speak with our optician to find out what the best options are for your needs.

Anti-reflective (AR) coating.
Scratch-resistant coating.
Anti-fog coating.
Ultraviolet (UV) treatment.

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