Women’s Eyeglasses – Understanding Lens Options and Coatings
There are several different lens and coating options available for eyeglasses. They help enhance the vision experience for all wearers.
For example, hi-index lenses are thinner than standard plastic lenses, allowing for a lighter frame. Other lens treatments offer protection from harmful blue light emitted by devices, which may contribute to headaches and disrupted sleep patterns. Some options are bundled together and can save you money.
Scratch-Resistant Coating
No eyeglass lens material is truly scratch-proof. However, a scratched lens can diminish the clarity of vision and may irritate the wearer. Scratches also make the lenses less attractive. A scratch-resistant coating increases the durability of the lens by adding a thin layer to the surface, which helps the lenses resist scratches from everyday wear and tear.
This coating helps the lenses repel dust, water, and other oily substances that can cause fogging.
It is a clear coating that adds an invisible layer to the lens’ front and back surfaces, creating an anti-reflective effect. The coating reduces reflections of light, making it easier for others to see you and for you to see your surroundings. In addition, the coating helps to cut glare and headlights from cars and streetlights, and it can help with computer use by reducing the distracting glare from overhead lights or digital screens.
A good scratch-resistant coating can last up to the life of the lenses, although ordinary care should be taken to keep them clean and free from smudges. Some lens materials, such as polycarbonate and high-index, have built-in scratch resistance and do not require a separate coating.
While this is a popular option, there are some things to consider before deciding whether to purchase an anti-reflective coating. The first is that anti-reflective coating can degrade over time. It is sometimes caused by chemicals used to clean the glasses. The other is that the coating can be prone to cracks called “crazing.” These minute cracks often appear as a blue or green tinge on the lens and can be mistaken for a scratch. If crazing occurs, you must return the lenses to where you purchased them so they can be replaced. Fortunately, both these problems have been minimized by modern technology, and the vast majority of AR lenses on the market today perform very well. However, it’s essential to check your warranty before purchasing an upgrade. Many warranties do not cover these additional lens treatments.
Anti-Reflective Coating
Considerations outside the prescription and frame are also important when selecting a new pair of women’s eyeglasses. Your lenses strongly impact your eyesight and comfort, and coatings can help them function better. An extra lens coating called an anti-reflective coating reduces light reflected off the front or back of your lenses. When you wear glasses, it can significantly affect both how clear your eyesight is and how noticeable you are to others.
It’s easy to see why this is a popular choice for people who want to reduce glare from light sources such as headlights, computer screens, TV monitors, and even sunlight. It can also help eliminate headaches, digital eye strain, and halos.
In addition to reducing glare, an anti-reflective coating is easier to clean. The coating makes the lenses repel water molecules so they can be wiped away more easily without a trace. It is conducive for those who live in humid areas or have trouble maintaining clear vision during rainy weather.
Another advantage of an AR coating is that it allows more light through the lenses, benefiting patients with certain lens conditions. It can be handy for those who need bifocal or progressive lenses to correct their near and distant vision. Additionally, patients with specific lenses, such as blue light blocking, will experience less digital eye strain when wearing glasses with an AR coating.
While there are many benefits to an AR coating, it’s important to note that this type of lens treatment is more expensive than non-coated lenses. It can also take several days for the lenses to be coated because they have to sit in a particular solution during the coating process.
Regarding lens treatments, two types of anti-reflective coatings are hydrophobic and oleophobic. Hydrophobic means that the lenses repel water, while oleophobic means they resist oil and grease. These are advantageous coatings for those who spend much time at their computers or have to deal with greasy fingerprints on their glasses, as they can be more easily cleaned than standard lenses.
Mirror Coating
Mirror coating is a cosmetic lens option that helps reduce harsh sun glares when worn with sunglasses. It also adds a bold look to prescription eyewear. These lenses come in various hues; you can pair them with various frames to describe your style. These lenses are available in solid, gradient color options and the more popular flash mirror coating.
These lenses are an excellent option for those with blue light sensitivity as they help filter out the blue part of the spectrum that can harm the eyes. They can be combined with a standard or polarized lens for maximum effectiveness.
The amount of reflected light depends on the thickness and density of the mirror coating. A thinner coating reflects less light than a thicker one, making the lens appear darker. Different materials can be used to create these coatings. Aluminum, titanium, and silver are common choices.
These coatings are typically added to sunglasses as they reduce glare and halos around light. They can also enhance the appearance of the lens by allowing it to appear more transparent. They are a good choice for outdoor activities as they can effectively eliminate glare from sunlight, snow, and other reflective surfaces.
A thin layer of metallic silver is applied to the lens surface. This layer is then covered with a clear resin to ensure the durability of the mirror. This protective coating also increases the scratch resistance of the lens.
Some manufacturers will also offer a ‘protected gold mirror’ coating that is more durable than standard mirrors and can resist discoloration over time. This type of mirror has a higher reflectance than a traditional silver mirror and can help prevent glare and reflections from headlights when driving at night.
When shopping for lenses, it is best to consult an optometrist to discuss the most appropriate options for your lifestyle and vision needs. The optometrist will be able to give you a printed itemized list of your lens options and the costs for each. It will help you avoid paying for a name-brand coating that performs no better than the generic version. They can also tell you what lens coatings are available in bundled options so you can save money by choosing a package deal.
UV Protection Coating
When selecting eyeglasses, it’s essential to consider more than just the frames and lenses that best suit your face shape. In addition to enhancing comfort, safety, and vision, lens and coating upgrades can shield your eyes from potentially dangerous UV radiation.
Lens and frame choices have evolved significantly, with new materials, lenses, and coating options to meet various needs. Talk with your optician to learn more about the options that may help you see better, feel more comfortable, and look your best.
Anti-Reflective Coating
One of the most popular and helpful lens treatments is an anti-reflective coating, which reduces the glare caused by light bouncing off your lenses or reflecting off surfaces inside your frames. It can cause eye strain and halos around lights, especially from overhead lighting or computer display screens, and make it more difficult for others to see your eyes. An anti-reflective coating can decrease these glares to increase visibility and help you see better while providing a more flattering appearance.
An anti-fog coating can help your glasses stay clear when going from cold to warm environments or after sweating. It is an excellent option for athletes who need their glasses for outdoor sports and activities, police officers, and other people who are often on the move. There are several different types of anti-fog coatings available.
Other popular lens add-ons include polarized lenses, which block horizontal light waves to reduce glare from the sun and reduce brightness, and digital coating, which blocks blue light wavelengths emitted by computers, tablets, and phones that can contribute to eye strain and disrupt sleep cycles. Additionally, photochromic or transition lenses change from light to dark when exposed to sunlight, and a mirror coating gives your lenses a flashy fashion statement.
