Table of Contents
What are Anti Glare Lenses?
Anti-glare lenses have a specific coating that helps to block additional light from entering the eyes. This helps to reduce eye strain or issues with glare from headlights / halos.
How Anti-Glare Coating Works on Glasses
There are tons of anti-reflective lenses on the market, that each have their own unique feature. However, all reflective lenses should have at least one main property: They all contain many tiny layers that stop light from passing through (kind of like multiple layers of nets that would stop grains of sand from falling through).
Top Benefits of Anti-Glare Lenses for Everyday Use
The main benefits that you’ll experience with anti-glare lenses is a reduction in the amount of light that enters the eyes. Any type of light reflections that you would typically expect (headlights / computer screens / glare from the sun) can be significantly reduced.
Do Anti-Glare Lenses Reduce Eye Strain?
Yes absolutely. In my own experience and dealing with my patients I have found that anti-glare lenses significantly improve reducing strain on the eyes.
How Anti-Glare Lenses Improve Night Driving
Anti-glare lenses really shine during nighttime driving. Headlights only get brighter each year they are being made. This is the best time to use these types of lenses as it helps to relieve the eyes from bright lights.
Who Should Use Anti-Glare Lenses?
Anyone who wears a pair of glasses needs to have some form of an anti-reflective coating on the lenses to ensure that they have the highest optical quality.
As well, anyone who feels like they suffer from light sensitivity or have issues with nighttime driving would also benefit from anti-reflective lenses.
Anti-Reflective vs Anti-Glare Coatings Explained
There’s no difference! They are functionally the same.
Are Anti-Glare Lenses Worth It? Pros and Cons
Pros:
- They significantly reduce the amount of light that enters the eyes
- They help alleviate eye strain
- They can improve your vision in brighter environments
Cons:
- They can become scratched or damaged and not work as well
- After about two years the anti-reflective coating loses its memory and can allow light to pass through
How Much Do Anti-Glare Lenses Cost?
It depends on the quality of anti-glare lenses!
There’s so many different types of coatings on the market that it can vary heavily. Higher quality lenses (block lighter / are more durable), will be a little more expensive than lower quality (blocks less light / can get scratched easier).
Are Anti-Glare Lenses Worth the Extra Money?
Yes 100%. Any lenses without an anti-reflective coating significantly reduce the visual acuity and can make eye strain (especially in brighter conditions a lot worse).
How to Choose the Best Anti-Glare Glasses
The best way to choose is to go to your local eye care provider to ensure you get the highest quality lenses. I have found many of my patients have benefited from HOYAs anti-glare coatings with lots of great success.
How Long Do Anti-Glare Coatings Last?
Typically anti-glare coatings will last about two years before they start to lose their memory. However, if you tend to be a little rougher on your lenses, expect them to last a little shorter.
Do Anti-Glare Lenses Scratch Easily?
It depends on the quality of the lens. Cheaper lenses will be easier to scratch because they won’t have anti-scratch coatings on them. Higher quality lenses will be much more durable and typically last a lot longer as well.
Do Anti-Glare Lenses Block Blue Light?
No, blue light lenses are a little different. Blue light lenses will have an anti-glare coating, and blue light coating. But, anti-glare lenses typically won’t have blue light blocking properties.
Can Anti-Glare Coating Be Removed?
No, once a lens has an anti-glare coating it cannot be removed. The lens is specifically designed in that way.
How to Tell If Your Glasses Have Anti-Glare Coating
The best way to tell is by holding them up to a light source and looking for a light blue-ish / greenish tint off the lenses. This will tell you immediately if the lenses have a coating attached to them.
This is a great video to demonstrate the differences!