Polarized Lenses and Anti-Reflection Coating (2024)

Ordinary sunglasses reduce the amount of visible light entering your eyes. Your eyes already have that ability by controlling the size of your pupils. Our pupils get bigger in dim light to let more light into the eye and get smaller in bright light to limit the amount of light into the eye. By limiting the kind of light that enters your eyes, polarization provides a level of light management that ordinary sunglasses do not have.

Polarizing a lens is the process of laminating on, or casting in (causing less distortion), a polarizing film to a lens. A polarized film consists of special molecules running in horizontal parallel chains. This film acts as a filter, blocking out light that bounces off reflective surfaces such as water, road surfaces, or water vapor in the air around you. This reflected light is 7 to 10 times brighter than normal daylight and is commonly referred to as glare.

Polarization can be ordered in both non-prescription and prescription lenses. Polarized prescription lenses are available in nearly all lens materials and are made in non-prescription, single vision, bifocal, trifocal and progressive lenses. We can even put polarized lenses in your favorite non-prescription sunglasses! Typically only two colors are available - brown and gray, but many specialty colors are available for certain types of lenses. Polarization cannot be added to existing lenses - it must be requested at the time of order.

Polarized Lenses and Anti-Reflection Coating (1)Reflective glare is a problem. While not as intense as a camera flash, glare has a cumulative effect that, over the course of a few hours in the sun, will produce the same effect as a flash bulb. Many vision problems associated with night driving stem not only in the human eye's need for light, but the lingering effects of exposure to glare during daylight hours. Removing unnecessary glare during the day can help reduce the eye fatigue that contributes to nighttime vision problems.

You need to protect your eyes from harmful ultraviolet sunrays by wearing sunglasses. How much glare you block is up to you - standard lenses help, but a high-quality polarizing lens can make a world of difference in how fatigued you are at the end of a long drive, a day at the beach or even an afternoon in the back yard. Polarized lenses can give you better ability to see detail than just standard sunglasses and they allow you to see bolder color. In summary, polarized lenses help you relax and see the world in a whole new way.

Anti-reflection coating or AR coat enables better vision by decreasing reflections off of your lenses. This coating also helps your lenses "disappear" since people looking at you will also not see reflections on your lenses, just your eyes behind them.

Use ofan anti-reflective coating on your glasses helps to reduce the amount of glare produced as light passes through your lenses fromoutside sources, including computer monitors. An anti-reflection coating allows more light to pass through your lenses and is one of the few lens options that will provide a direct improvement of your vision. If you also use your glasses for driving, the anti-reflective coating will make a night commute home much more pleasant by reducing the glare produced by oncoming traffic and street lamps.

Polarized Lenses and Anti-Reflection Coating (2024)

FAQs

Do you need anti-reflective coating on polarized lenses? ›

You do not need anti-glare coatings on the front surface of polarised sunglasses. They already block glare from their in-built polariser which is sandwiched within the layers of the polarised lens. Anti-glare may be applied to the rear surface of the lens to prevent light from bouncing back into your eyes.

Do polarized lenses block reflections? ›

Polarizing sunglasses reduce this reflection, known as glare, but only when the polarizing lenses are oriented properly. None needed. Place the lit bulb upright and the plastic plate on a flat surface nearby (see diagram). Orient the bulb and your eye so you can see the reflection of the bulb in the plastic.

Is it worth getting anti-reflective coating glasses? ›

AG and AR coatings offer many benefits and are definitely worth the extra cost, especially if you find yourself bothered by glare. They can help you see better, look better, and feel better compared to wearing glasses with uncoated lenses.

What are the disadvantages of anti-reflective coating? ›

Drawbacks. On the other hand, anti-reflective coating glasses do have a few negatives. They're can look dirty due to the clearness of the lenses. Although anti-reflective coatings are really not any dirtier than a regular pair of glasses, they're more noticeable because there isn't any glare to hide the dirt.

What are the disadvantages of polarized sunglasses? ›

What about the cons?
  • They're more costly than tinted lenses.
  • Polarised lenses make it difficult to view LCD screens- Although you can still see them when you have a direct line-of-sight, moving to different angles can make the screen disappear completely due to the filtering process.

Do polarized sunglasses block sun glare? ›

Polarized lenses, as we learned, don't protect from UV rays, but they do have a coating applied to them that filters light and reduces glare. This type of lens can help people see more clearly in the sun by reducing glare that often comes off water, car windows, sun, and more.

Why do windows look weird with polarized glasses? ›

Those little dots or lines you see are sections of the glass that partially polarize light on a horizontal axis. Since your polarized lenses have a vertical axis, that light is blocked, which is why it appears as dark dots or lines.

What damages polarized lenses? ›

Rainwater can contain salt and other impurities that, if left on polarized lenses, may lead to smudges, spots, or even potential damage over time.

How can you tell if reflected light is polarized? ›

Tilt your head 90 degrees. If it's polarized you won't see it at some angle.

How much should anti-reflective coating cost? ›

This coating can cost anywhere from $20 to $90 to add to a pair of glasses. This cost is sometimes covered by insurance, although this will depend on your exact plan. Many doctors recommend getting an anti-reflective coating.

What is the best anti-reflective coating for night driving? ›

Crizal is the best known anti-reflective coating on the market, and also the best and the most expensive.

Can I add anti-reflective coating to my existing glasses? ›

While adding anti-reflective coating is possible, certain conditions must be met. The lenses should be free of oil and scratches to ensure effectiveness. Not all opticians offer this service, so it's essential to choose a reputable merchant capable of delivering quality results.

What is the difference between anti glare and anti reflect? ›

While anti-reflective lenses work similarly to other lenses, diffusing rays that enter the lenses, they actually are slightly more effective as they protect against both external and internal light, while anti-glare glasses only protect against external light.

How long does anti-reflective coating 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.

What is the difference between anti-reflective and anti glare coating? ›

Anti-reflective vs Anti Glare

In short: anti glare coatings will protect against external light sources entering the glasses, while anti-reflective coatings will protect against both internal and external light.

What type of glare does a polarized lens eliminate? ›

UV rays form reflections on surfaces such as snow or water and thus produce a source of discomfort or danger. Polarized sunglasses avoid being dazzled by the reverberation of light on these types of surfaces. Your visual comfort is thus significantly improved!

Are polarized prescription glasses worth it? ›

Polarized lenses have become popular but are they really beneficial and worth the extra cost? If you spend a lot of time on the road, on the golf course, on the water or in the mountains, polarized lenses are a good investment.

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