Benefits and Disadvantages of Anti-reflective Coating Glasses

According to a recent Dallas Morning News article by writer Mary Jacobs, there’s should be more to selecting prescription glasses than simply handing in your eye prescription and choosing a frame. The type of lens material should also be considered. Many people are discovering the benefits of anti-reflective coatings.

Also known as anti-glare or AR coatings, these are special coatings that are designed to decrease the amount of reflective light in lenses. They can be applied to either the back, front or both sides of lenses so that a maximum amount of positive light enters the eyes to give you the clearest view possible. Here are some of the pros and cons of anti-reflective coating glasses, along with a few considerations.

Advantages of Anti-reflective Coating Glasses

AR coatings offer several benefits.

• One of the main perks is cosmetic perks. When you use AR coatings, you’ll look better because people won’t see the reflections in your prescription glasses, increasing the visibility of your eyes. As a result, you’ll have enhanced eye contact with others and won’t be hampered by irritating reflections. This makes the ideal for people who do a lot of public speaking as they can make public speakers and others in the limelight appear more photogenic.
• Anti-reflective coatings can give you sharper and clear vision that’s more natural and brilliant than what’s offered with uncoated lenses.
• They provide more durability as they last longer than regular lenses. Consider that they’re exceptionally resistant to scratches, besides do an excellent job in resisting water and dirt.
• Additionally, AR coatings help in reducing eye fatigue at work. They are especially suited for people who spend long hours working on computers, which can cause considerable eye strain. But when you use an anti-reflective coating, your eyes are protected against glare, meaning eye strain is less.
• Besides using them for computer work, they’re helpful when watching television as they help reduce eye fatigue. The anti-glare coating eliminates the light that can cause eyes to become tired.
• AR coatings can also improve night vision.

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.
• As a result you may have to clean your lenses more frequently, which can especially be the case for some of the lower-cost AR coatings.
• They generally aren’t recommended for reading glasses that rest on the low bridge of the nose. If you do spend a considerable amount of time using a tablet, just be sure you read in conditions that provide adequate light.

Considerations and Warnings

• Coatings that are applied to the outside of lenses are more likely to peel, scratch or wear off. That’s why it’s a good idea for young children to postpone having them, unless they have specific needs in which an anti-reflective coating would be beneficial.
• Do not clean your lenses dry. Always rinse your lens off before cleaning them to avoid grinding any destructive particles into your AR lenses.
• Clean your lenses using a microfiber cloth; using a shirt or tie can be damaging.
• In addition to not cleaning your lenses properly, anti-reflective coating glasses can also be injured by extreme temperatures, such as being near ice or fire.
• Store your lenses in their protective case when they’re not being used.
• Although these coatings last longer than glasses without them, you still need to buy them from a reputable company that gives you a high quality guarantee. Be sure that the warranty includes lenses being changed in case there are issues with the coatings.

For any questions you may have, visit us at Rx-Safety.com. Please contact us and learn about all we have to offer in eyewear products.