Everything You Need to Know About Eyeglass Lens Coatings

Should you choose aviator, wayfarer, cat eye, or oval frame? That’s usually the first thought that comes to mind when choosing eyeglasses. Often, we leave choosing the lens and lens coatings for the doctors to decide.



As fun and trendy eyeglass frames might be, the lens is the heart of your eyeglasses.

Maybe you didn’t listen enough when the doctor talked about lens and lens coatings while examining your eyes. You might not even have heard him talk about blue light defense with prescription glasses.

While there may be no statistics to back this up, many see eyeglasses as more of an accessory than a medical device.

Of course, the onus falls on your doctor to prescribe lenses and lens coatings that best suit your eyes; you owe it to your eye health to understand the prescriptions.

We believe you would have decided on the frame, and your doctor prescribes the lens; the next action will be to choose lens coatings.

What’s the Need For Eyeglass Lens Coatings?

As invisible as they appear, eyeglass lens coatings are what make eyeglasses effective. Think of lens coatings as the turbo boost of your eyeglasses. If you care about the following, then you should give a thought to eyeglass lens coatings;

- Visual Comfort
Any job can be done right if you have the tools. For eyeglasses, ensuring visual comfort and clarity is a factor of the lens coatings. Regardless of the level of your eye health, the lens treatment can improve comfort and clarity.
- Durability and Length of Use
With the right lens coatings, you can improve the durability of your eyeglasses.
It’s all about being able to protect your eyeglasses from irritating scratches and improve the resistance, thereby saving yourself frequent visits to the doctor.
- Additional Protection For Your Eyes
This is where blue light glasses come into the picture. If you find yourself working at a computer for hours, you need to do more to protect your eyes.
Which is a function of choosing the right eyeglass lens coatings for the job. 

Criteria To Consider When Choosing Eyeglass Lens Coatings

Your doctor might have made the eyeglass prescription, but the decision for the lens coatings is within your right. When choosing, never forget that you have unique needs, and this should form the basis of your eyeglass lens coatings.

To make it an easy one for you, here are what you should consider;
1. What Do You Do and Where Do You Spend Most of Your Day?
Your job should be a huge determinant of your eyeglass lens coatings. For example, as a computer programmer, you will need a blue light defense with your prescription glasses. In contrast, a school teacher does not need one.
2. What’s Your History With Eyeglasses?
Is this your first eyeglasses? If not, what happened to the previous ones? Lost or scratched? Let’s assume you are getting new eyeglasses due to the effect of scratches on the previous ones. Then you’ll need lens coatings that prevent such occurrences.
3. Do You Need Multiple Prescriptions?
Lastly, and importantly, your choice of eyeglass lens coatings should be guided by the need to eliminate the hassles of switching between glasses. Settle for lens coatings that allow for progressive transition.

Types of Eyeglass Lens Coatings To Consider

While there are different types of lens coatings, here are seven types of eyeglass lens coatings you should give a thought;

1. Photochromic Treatment
When outdoors, this lens coatings transition to dark and returns to normal when indoor. This is considered most appropriate for individuals with light sensitivity.
2. Scratch Resistant
- Scratches on eyeglasses can be irritating and distracting. The lens coatings make the eyeglasses resistant to scratches. This is more appropriate for kids than adults.
3. UV Coating
Exposure to ultraviolet radiation is bad for the eyes. It’s also one of the leading causes of cataracts and macular degeneration. With the UV lens coating, your eyes are provided additional protection from the sun. 
4. Anti-Fog Coating 
Most people experience foggy eyeglasses during cold months. This can be destabilizing, especially for those that live in cold zones. With the coating, the eyeglass is strengthened to prevent condensation. 
5. Mirror Coating
Even though this is purely cosmetic, it also serves its purpose. The usage is to keep the eyes from view. 
6. Tinted Lens Coating
This serves a dual purpose of aiding vision and adding a cosmetic aesthetics to your eyeglasses. It can be in different colors, gradations, and shades.
7. Anti-Reflective Coating
Also called anti-glare coating, it’s a thin coating that eliminates reflections from the front and back of your eyeglasses. You won’t have to struggle with driving at night anymore with this coating. 

Final Thoughts

The eyeglasses lens coatings contribute immensely to your eye health, quality of life, and overall well-being. Thorough thought should go into your choice of eyeglass lens coatings. Remember that your lens coatings should be able to protect your eyes and your eyeglass lenses.


4 comments

  1. Interesting post. I will keep this in mind since I need a new pair.

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  2. This is really an interesting article!! I didn’t know about all these different coated lens. The one I did know about was the one scratch resistant and for looking at a CRT - monitor. I have to tell my husband about the night driving lens. He’ll be anxious to know that one. I pinned it so I can remember it also. Thank you for sharing! I’m sharing on Facebook and Twitter too.

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  3. It's the first time I've heard of the Anti-Fog Coating.

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  4. I just recently got a new pair of glasses and I never thought about Lens Coatings

    ReplyDelete

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♥,
Diana