The primary purpose of an anti-reflective (AR) treatment for prescription eyewear lenses is to allow more light to pass through the lens and therefore reduce glare. The coating reduces reflections on the lens to reduce distractions and allow you to see more of what’s ahead of you. It also increases your eye comfort while you use digital screens, read, or drive and helps prevent eye fatigue. We strongly recommend an anti-reflective treatment for all lenses.
Anti-Reflective vs. Anti-Glare Lenses
Anti-glare coatings shield your eyes from external light sources, while anti-reflective coatings react to both external and internal light. Lenses with an anti-reflective coating also work better to filter blue-violet light from sunlight and indoor light. Whether you choose anti-glare or anti-reflective lenses, you’ll appreciate the benefits of reduced glare and reflections in your vision.
Polarization, which is an anti-glare coating that is used on sunglasses only. Many top sunglasses makers, including Maui Jim, will infuse their lenses with polarization and anti-reflective technologies in order to provide the brightest, clearest vision.
Why Do I Need Anti-Reflective Treatment on My Lenses?
Anti-reflective coatings help to reduce eye strain and fatigue and increase comfort while using screens and driving. This is extremely important if you spend any significant time driving at night, whether commuting, working, or going out to dinner. With fewer reflections, more light can reach your eyes, improving visual acuity and reducing many risks associated with nighttime driving.
Premium anti-reflective treatments also include a superhydrophobic coating that repels dust and resists water, oil, and fingerprints so your lenses are easier to clean. FramesDirect.com offers premium anti-reflective treatment as part of both the Standard and Premium lens options.
What Are the Disadvantages of Anti-Reflective Coating?
The minor disadvantage to an anti-reflective coating is that it can become marred or scratched over time. Clean your lenses properly and often in order to avoid scratching caused by normal wear and tear, and always store glasses in a case. Besides the minor cost increase the coating adds and a minimal chance for scratching, an AR coating offers no real disadvantages.
How Long Do Anti-Reflective Lens Coatings Last?
On average, anti-reflective lens coatings last about two years, but with proper care an AR coating should last the life of the lens.
How to Clean Anti-Glare-Coated Glasses
Use warm, never hot, water and mild soap to clean your anti-glare-coated glasses. As is true for any eyeglass lenses, your primary objective when cleaning anti-glare lenses is to avoid scratching them.
Using the same steps as you would clean regular eyeglass lenses:
- Wet your lenses with clean water or an approved eyeglasses cleaning solution.
- Using a clean microfiber cloth, gently wipe each side of the lens in a circular motion to remove residue.
- Repeat steps 1 and 2 until the lenses are clean.
Available Anti-Reflective Treatments and Lens Options
An anti-reflective coating is available for all types of eyeglass lenses, including reading glasses. To include the premium AR treatment, choose either the Standard or Premium option when adding lenses to your frames. You can select these treatment options for single vision, progressive, bifocal, reader, or plano (non-prescription) lenses.
Standard Lens Option
The Standard lens option includes DuraClear™, a premium anti-reflective treatment that lets in 99% of available light and improves clarity and contrast. Lenses coated with Duraclear help prevent eye strain and are easy to clean, thanks to the superhydrophobic coating.
Premium Lens Option
The Premium lens option includes Blue-Violet Light Filtering with BlueReflect™ to filter blue-violet light, as well as premium anti-reflective treatment and UV protection. BlueReflect provides clearer vision while you use digital devices. Buying your glasses online can be less expensive than visiting your local optician, and we make the process simple.
Are Anti-Reflective Lenses Worth It?
For most glasses wearers the benefits of lenses with an anti-reflective coating far outweigh the disadvantages. The long lifespan and everyday vision improvements AR-coated lenses offer are well worth the minor addition to the overall price tag of a new pair of glasses.
Learn about the other lens options available at FramesDirect.com, or call one of our certified opticians at 1-800-248-9427 (Int'l: +1 513-765-2513) to find out more about anti-reflective coating or to add it to your lenses.
Reviewed by Sonia Kelley, OD, MS on June 27, 2023
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