What Are Anti-Glare Glasses?

By
James Harper
James Harper
Research Writer
Being a professional journalist, James knows how to turn any topic into a comprehensive, easy-to-digest text. Even if you've never dealt with telescopes before, rest assured read more
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Charles Goebel
Charles Goebel
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Charles holds a Master’s degree in Physics Engineering (optics and photonics specialization), has been teaching physics at school for almost 15 years and recently has star read more
Last updated: August 15, 2023
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During bright days when the sun is shining, glare can be uncomfortable for your eyes. If you wonder what anti-glare glasses is and how they can help in this situation, this is the article for you.

You need to protect your eyes against glare and brightness because it can damage your retinas and cause serious problems later in life.

Anti-glare glasses are unique because opticians make them from a special material that significantly reduces your eyes’ glare. Doctors call this coating anti-glare coating or AR coating, and you can find it at most opticians.

AR coating refers to a skinny layer that an optician will insert over the lens of your glasses. Its purpose is to remove any reflections that would typically reach your eyes and damage them. One of the most prominent differences that you will notice with these glasses is that objects that shine will no longer cause a problem when you are walking or driving your car.

So, what is this anti-glare coating on glasses? You can find more information about coating and models that come with it here.

What Is Anti-Reflective Coating?

What Are Anti-Glare Glasses?An anti-reflective coating Trusted Source Anti-reflective coating - Wikipedia An antireflective or anti-reflection (AR) coating is a type of optical coating applied to the surface of lenses and other optical elements to reduce reflection. en.wikipedia.org is essentially a hydrophobic surface. Its purpose is to seal all anti-reflective layers. When your optician adds this layer to glasses, it repels all glare and also water droplets. This is another benefit of such glasses because it makes it a lot easier to walk in the rain.

This is also something that scientists have applied to binoculars, such as the Bushnell H2O Waterproof Binoculars. When scientists add this coating to lenses, a more significant amount of light can pass through the lens, increasing your vision’s sharpness.

If you are wondering what anti-glare glasses are, here are a few benefits that you can take into account before making your purchase:

  • AR coating removes the reflections from both sides of your glasses.
  • Back glare is a serious problem because it reduces the sharpness of your vision. However, if your glasses have a coating, the headlights’ halo effect will disappear, and other objects will look much sharper.
  • People who wear glasses know that sometimes your eyes will not look natural from other people looking at your face. Because AR coating removes the light reflected from the surface of your lenses, your eyes will look brighter and more natural.
  • Your vision is much clearer with AV coating, which you will also be able to see through the scope, such as the Vortex Crossfire II. You will also notice that you will no longer feel the strain on your eyes that was present before.
  • What are anti-glare glasses for your computer? Your optician will complete the same procedure for computer glasses as well. You will notice that your eyes will no longer feel the strain from the screen when you are working in front of it.
  • AR coating is constantly improving. Scientists are always coming up with new versions of the product and ensuring that this special coating will help more people worldwide.

How Is Coating Applied?

AR coating comes with a very firm but a thin film that an optician will apply to your lenses’ outer layer. The material itself is somewhere in the combination of air and glass specially designed at an angle to reflect all unwanted light and glare.

In some cases, an optician will also apply this material to the inside of your glasses. This is especially frequent for sunglasses and glasses that skiers wear.

There are two ways that an optician will apply this coating. Sometimes, an optician will add this coating during the lenses’ manufacturing process and merge it with them. In other cases, you can choose to add the coating to lenses that you already have but want to advance them to reduce glare.

Which Coating Is the Best for You?

Here are the best coating options for you to choose from. Which one you pick depends on your lifestyle and what you want to achieve with these lenses.

  • Antireflective Coating – This coating eliminates reflection from both sides of your lenses. It reduces glare and allows you to see better, which also helps to relax your eyes and not cause future eye problems. They are the best option for doctors, teachers, fitness trainers, and other similar professions.
  • Scratch-Resistant Coating – This coating adds a complex layer to the front and back surface of your lenses. Aside from helping you see better, this coating also helps prevent scratches and dings during rough weather conditions. This is the best option for people who wear glasses every day.
  • Ultraviolet Protection – This type of coating is sun protection for your eyes. When you purchase glasses with this coating, riflescope, or a travel telescope, you receive a layer of UV protection for your eyes. Not all regular models offer this protection, so it is a good idea to add it to your glasses or optics.
  • Photochromic Coating – These glasses will change their shade depending on which environment you find yourself in. They will darken when you enter a dark place and will lighten when it is bright around you. The most significant benefit of these glasses is that you will no longer need sunglasses because these lenses will do the job for you.
  • Polarized Sunglass Lenses – This is a unique type of glasses because they can help you see better in very bright conditions. Instead of feeling a strain on your eyes, you will be able to see the world around you with much more clarity. Many athletes and drivers love these glasses because they make their jobs safer and easier to handle.

FAQ

What’s the best way to clean these glasses?

Always use the proper spray for cleaning glasses and a microfiber cloth. If you use a kitchen towel or your clothes to do it, you will cause scratches to the lens, which will ruin AR coating.

Does my child need these lenses?

Yes. All eyes can benefit from these special lenses to make their lives easier and their eyes healthier.

Final Thoughts

The anti-glare glasses are the best way to protect the health of your eyes and the eyes of your loved ones. They are not particularly expensive, and you can find them at any optician’s office. They will be happy to help you choose the best pair of lenses to suit you and your budget.

Since you know what anti-glare glasses is, there are many great options to choose from and also many different styles available. Every year, scientists make AR coating even better, so it is a good idea to get new glasses regularly so that you can stay up to date with the latest technology. Enjoy your unique vision with the help of AR coating!

References

1.
Anti-reflective coating - Wikipedia
An antireflective or anti-reflection (AR) coating is a type of optical coating applied to the surface of lenses and other optical elements to reduce reflection.
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