Opting to have the lenses of your prescription glasses covered with a clear coating can enhance their performance, but which coating should you choose? The coating that's right for you will depend on a number of factors such as your job, lifestyle and the type of lenses you have in your glasses. Here's an overview of three popular coatings for you to consider:
Anti-Reflective
An anti-reflective coating is undetectable to anyone looking at your glasses, but it will prevent reflections and glare from irritating your eyes. The coating is effective on both the front and back surfaces of your glasses and can be applied to any prescription glasses. However, this type of coating is particularly recommended for polycarbonate lenses and aspheric lenses. Polycarbonate lenses are thinner than standard glass and plastic lenses and aspheric lenses are flatter, so both types tend to reflect more light. An anti-reflective coating is ideal for those who drive at night, work outdoors or spend a lot of time in front of a computer screen.
Scratch-Resistant
Scratch-resistant coatings create a hard, protective layer over your lenses and improve their durability. This means they are less likely to be damaged if you drop them or clean them with something you shouldn't such as your sleeve or a paper towel. This coating can also improve the warranty on some glasses, so ask your optometrist for details. Opt for this coating for your child's glasses, if you work in an environment with lots of dust, such as factory, or if you're prone to leaving your glasses lying around.
Anti-Fog
Have you experienced your glasses fogging up when you come indoors on a cold day or when there's a change in your body temperature? It's frustrating, but if it happens when you're driving or if you're unstable on your feet, it can also be dangerous. An anti-fog coating prevents condensation gathering on your glasses and can be applied to most types of lenses. This coating is ideal if you wear your glasses when exercising, live in a high-moisture area or enjoy winter sports. It's also ideal for professional drivers who need to get in and out of their vehicle frequently in the colder months while making deliveries.
You can only get one of these coatings on each pair of glasses, so discuss your individual needs with your optometrist. They can show you samples of glasses with the various coatings on them and help you decide on the coating that best fits your needs.
