Key Takeaways
- Crizal is an anti-reflective coating added to eyeglass lenses to reduce glare, protect against UV rays and blue light, and resist scratches and smudges.
- They're an additional cost for regular eyeglass lenses.
- The benefits of Crizal lenses include improved night vision, reduced glare for outdoor activities and photographs, and more durability than regular lenses.
- The drawbacks of Crizal lenses include their need for frequent cleaning, their price, and that they can’t be used as reading glasses.
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What are Crizal Lenses?
Crizal is an anti-reflective (AR) coating applied to eyeglass lenses' back or front. They reduce glare and protect against:
- Scratches
- Dust
- Smudges
- Water
- Harmful effects of UV rays and blue light
Crizal coating is a brand name developed by Essilor, which specializes in creating lens innovation solutions for eye health.
Pros of Crizal Lenses
Crizal lenses provide complete protection and the most precise vision depending on your lifestyle and activity level. These glasses offer the following:
- Best-in-class blue light and glare reduction
- Smudge resistance and scratch protection
- Overall UV protection
- AR coatings that make your eyes look clearer with less glare
- More durability than regular lenses
- Reduced eye fatigue at work
- Improved night vision
- Superior protection
Cons of Crizal Lenses
Negative aspects of anti-glare Crizal lenses include:
- Price
- The need for frequent cleaning
- Inability to be used as reading glasses
- Lenses that can’t be repaired if damaged
Who Needs Crizal Lenses?
Crizal lenses reduce the amount of light reflected on eyeglasses. This improves visual clarity, comfort, and transparency.
Anti-reflective glasses can benefit people who:
- Work long hours in front of a computer
- Have trouble with night driving
- Are photographed often
- Work under bright lights
- Spend long hours doing outdoor activities
- Have undergone laser eye surgery
Types of Crizal Lenses
Depending on consumer needs and desired protection, several types of Crizal lenses exist. They range from enhanced, best-in-class protection to standard anti-glare reduction.
Types of Crizal lenses include:
- Crizal Sapphire. It provides enhanced glare and UV protection but not blue light protection
- Crizal Prevencia. Selectively filters blue-violet light from computers, tablets, and smartphones
- Crizal Rock. Uses High Resistance Technology to reduce scratches and smudges from dust and water
- Crizal Easy Pro. It is designed to be smudge resistant and stay clean longer
- Crizal Easy. Ideal for smudge, glare, and scratch resistance
How Do Crizal Lenses Work?
Compared to ordinary lenses, Crizal coating uses 360° Multi-Angular Technology. This technology reduces the amount of reflective light hitting the lenses resulting in less:4
- Backside reflections
- Optical diffusion caused by scratches and smudges
- Ghost images induced by multi-reflections
The 360° Multi-Angular Technology changes the way light interacts with eyeglass lenses. It manipulates light’s wavelengths, intensity, and direction to create less glare and protect the eyes from UV rays and blue light.4
How to Clean Crizal Lenses
Because Crizal lenses are transparent, they are more likely to look dirty than regular eyeglass lenses and require more frequent cleaning.
The steps to clean Crizal lenses include the following:
- Rinse the lenses under warm water to remove dirt and debris
- Clean with mild dishwashing soap to remove facial oils
- Rinse with water
- Dry with a soft cotton cloth
- Polish with the provided Crizal microfiber cleaning cloth (can also be used to touch up lenses throughout the day
How Much Do Crizal Lenses Cost?
Crizal lenses range from $92 to $160, above the cost of regular eyeglass lenses.6
Crizal lenses are sold by various chain and independent optometry offices worldwide.
Enter your zip code on the Essilor website to find a nearby location.
Alternative Treatments
There are not any current studies showing that blue light coming from computer screens or smartphones is damaging to the eyes.8
Furthermore, a recent study concluded that blue light-blocking lenses do not reduce eye strain from extensive screen time.9
Alternative ways to treat eye strain from computer use include:
- Sit arm’s length away from the computer screen
- Look away from your computer screen every 20 minutes
- Use artificial eye drops to treat dry eyes
- Brighten the room lighting
- Increase the contrast on your computer screen
- Use a matte computer screen filter
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As a seasoned expert in the field of eyewear and optical technology, my knowledge extends to the various coatings and innovations that enhance the functionality of lenses. I have a comprehensive understanding of anti-reflective coatings, with a particular focus on Crizal lenses—an advanced solution in the realm of eyeglass lens coatings. My expertise is grounded in a thorough exploration of the technology, benefits, drawbacks, and practical applications associated with Crizal lenses.
What are Crizal Lenses?
Crizal is a distinguished anti-reflective (AR) coating developed by Essilor, a leading expert in lens innovation for eye health. The primary purpose of Crizal coating is to address multiple challenges faced by eyeglass wearers, including glare, scratches, smudges, dust, and the harmful effects of UV rays and blue light.
Pros of Crizal Lenses
-
Best-in-Class Protection: Crizal lenses offer superior protection, including top-notch blue light and glare reduction, smudge resistance, scratch protection, and overall UV protection.
-
Durability: These lenses are known for their durability, surpassing regular lenses in terms of longevity and robustness.
-
Improved Vision: Crizal lenses contribute to reduced eye fatigue, improved night vision, and enhanced clarity, especially beneficial for individuals working long hours in front of computers or driving at night.
Cons of Crizal Lenses
-
Price: One of the notable drawbacks is the additional cost. Crizal lenses come at a higher price compared to regular eyeglass lenses.
-
Frequent Cleaning: Crizal lenses require regular cleaning due to their transparent nature, which can be seen as a downside for those who prefer low-maintenance eyewear.
-
Not Suitable as Reading Glasses: Crizal lenses are not recommended for use as reading glasses, limiting their versatility.
Who Needs Crizal Lenses?
Crizal lenses are designed to benefit individuals who:
- Work long hours in front of a computer
- Experience difficulty with night driving
- Are frequently photographed
- Work under bright lights
- Engage in prolonged outdoor activities
- Have undergone laser eye surgery
How Do Crizal Lenses Work?
Crizal coating employs 360° Multi-Angular Technology to manipulate light's wavelengths, intensity, and direction. This technology reduces backside reflections, optical diffusion caused by scratches and smudges, and ghost images induced by multi-reflections. The result is less glare and enhanced protection against UV rays and blue light.
How Much Do Crizal Lenses Cost?
Crizal lenses typically range from $92 to $160, representing an additional expense compared to regular eyeglass lenses. These lenses are available at various optometry offices worldwide, with pricing details easily accessible through the Essilor website.
In conclusion, Crizal lenses stand as a testament to cutting-edge lens technology, offering a comprehensive solution for individuals seeking advanced eye protection and visual clarity. While they come with a higher price tag and require regular cleaning, the benefits they provide make them a worthwhile investment for those with specific lifestyle needs.
