Anti-Reflective Coating
An anti-reflective (AR) coating (also referred to as an anti-glare coating) is a lens treatment that allows 99.5% of available light to pass through the lens. AR coatings increase visibility and visual acuity, ultimately minimizing eye strain. This makes them ideal for people who spend extended amounts of time looking at screens, driving at night or working in dim-lit environments.
The image above shows the difference in eyeglasses with a regular lens vs. an anti-reflective lens. Lenses that are treated with the anti-reflective coating appear virtually invisible in photographs, whereas lenses without the AR coating often have a glare that obstructs the visibility of your eyes.
Although the anti-reflective coating can protect the actual lenses from scratches, the coating itself will peel if not cared for properly. Lenses with AR coating must be cleaned only with a microfiber cloth. Using anything else, such as a shirt, will damage the anti-glare lenses and make them appear cloudy. Check out our full list of pros and cons of anti-reflective coatings below.
Pros
- Increased visibility
- Better visual acuity
- Reduced eye strain and fewer headaches
- Protects lenses from scratches, water, dirt and other causes of damage
Cons
- Blemishes and specks are more noticeable
- Extreme temperature can damage coating if not stored properly
- Cannot be added to all types of lenses
- Cannot be combined with the Digital Block blue light lens treatment
Adding an anti-reflective coating to your lenses can be a worthwhile investment for your eyeglasses and overall optical health, but they’re not the right fit for everyone so make sure the pros outweigh the cons. As always, we have a 365-day Happiness Guarantee so, if anti-glare glasses aren’t your cup of tea, we’ll refund or replace your frames within a year from purchase.