Want Your Eyeglasses to Do More? Try These Lens Coatings
While you may be purchasing new eyeglasses because you need them to see properly, adding the right coatings to your lenses can help your glasses do more. If you’re not familiar with the different types of lens coatings, learning about the most popular coatings could help you evaluate whether you’d benefit from requesting them when you order your next pair of glasses.
Anti-Reflective
Anti-reflective, sometimes called anti-glare, lens coating helps to reduce the reflection of light off your lenses and reduce the amount of glare you must look through. If you’ve ever had to look at a light source through an older pair of glasses, you may already be familiar with the halos that form. Anti-reflective coating can reduce this, making it especially useful for people who spend long stretches of time in front of a computer screen or driving at night.
In addition to making it easier to see, anti-reflective coatings also make it easier for you to be seen. Rather than looking at your lenses, people will be able to see your eyes when they look at you. If you’re going to be photographed or filmed, this type of coating will allow more of your face to show up on film, as opposed to the hazy circles of light that older, untreated eyeglasses created.
Scratch Resistant
Unfortunately, even the most expensive pair of eyeglasses you’ll ever own is far from indestructible. Scratched lenses are one of the most common reasons eyeglass wearers have to replace their lenses when their vision is otherwise unchanged. Choosing a scratch resistant coating can make your lenses stronger and better able to withstand contact with abrasive particles.
Of course, this coating has its limits. Continued exposure to harsh cleaning products and abrasive cloths or continual dropping on rough surfaces will eventually damage the lenses. It’s also worth noting that this type of lens coating is best applied to new glasses. Applying scratch resistance to glasses that are already scratched will only help minimize future scratches, not correct the existing ones.
Other Coatings
While anti-reflective and scratch resistant coatings are the most popular options, your circumstances may make less popular coatings feasible. For instance, police officers in cold environments can benefit from anti-fog coatings so that there vision isn’t hindered when dealing with emergency circumstances. For an aesthetic boost, you may opt to apply a color-tinted coating to your lenses to give your glasses that extra special touch.