If you’re buying new glasses then it can be tempting to opt-out of having anti-reflective coatings. After all, they have something of a bad rep when it comes to the longevity of your lenses. However, any damage to the coating is caused by user error, rather than the coating being of poor quality itself. With careful looking after there’s no reason why an anti-reflective coating won’t last until you need to change up your prescription.
The anti-reflective coatings that are added to glasses are softer than the plastic lenses they sit on top of, so as a result, they suffer damage more easily. This damage can lead to distortion of the lenses, or scratches, which makes the glasses largely unusable.
However, this isn’t an inevitability. If you look after your lenses, then an anti-reflective coating can really improve your experience of wearing glasses.
How long can I expect my anti-reflective coating to last?
There’s no hard and fast rule here as it greatly varies depending on the user and how the glasses are treated. However, most eye experts will tell you that an anti-reflective coating should last between one and two years on average.
Actually, ‘coating’ isn’t the best way to describe this type of lens. Improvements on anti-reflective coatings have led to them being more likely to be fused onto the lens matrix nowadays. This makes them far more durable than they were in the past.
Still, if you want to get the most from your anti-reflective lenses, then it will pay to look after them.
How can I help my anti-reflective coating last longer?
Although you can’t expect coatings to last a lifetime, by carefully caring for your glasses you can help boost their life span.
Clean your glasses correctly
Don’t be tempted to wipe the lenses on your clothes. You need a super-soft material to gently clean the lens without buffing away at the coating. This is why you should only use purpose-designed cleaning tools, like the cleaning cloth that comes with your glasses case. You can also use sprays and wipes that are designed specifically for eyewear.
Using whatever you can reach to polish lenses will only serve to gradually wear away the coating. For the same reason, never use alcohol-based cleaners. They will speed up the coating’s deterioration.
Avoid high temperatures
Did you know that extreme temperatures can break down the anti-reflective coating on your glasses? If you are regularly exposed to high temperatures then you may have to accept that your coating won’t last as long as it may otherwise. This could be the case for chefs working in hot kitchens, for example.
Protect your glasses by storing them in cases and not leaving them in the car or other small closed areas during summer.
Store your glasses safely
When you’re not wearing your glasses you should always place them in a suitable case. This will avoid any dust or small particles from coating the lenses.
If you have left them out, then it’s worth rinsing them with water before cleaning them. By rinsing prior to cleaning you can ensure that there are no tiny pieces of dust or dirt that could scratch your coating when you clean the lenses.
Can I ditch the anti-reflective coating altogether?
Of course. We can manufacture your glasses to your exact requirements. If you prefer to leave off the coating altogether, that is no problem. However, we strongly advise that anyone who does a lot of driving at night, works on a computer in the day – especially in a building with fluorescent lighting – or has a high prescription seriously considers the consequences of going coating-free.
An anti-reflective coating will help your glasses perform significantly better by minimising annoying glare. They negate any incoming light rather than reflecting it back across your eyes. The light will instead pass through your lenses to the eyes and you’ll have sharper, clearer vision for it.
One of the other benefits you’ll notice with a coating is that by preventing glare, it also reduces the fatigue you can feel from working at a computer all day and minimises eye strain.
Still unsure?
Speak to one of our optical experts today.
At Mojo Glasses, we offer two types of anti-reflective coatings. Our standard coating reduces glare and optimises vision and our UltraClear coating which includes an enhanced anti-scratch coating for superior impact resistance. Our friendly team can help determine if you would benefit from a coating, and which would work best for your needs.
