The Differences Between Computer & Anti-Glare Glasses

It is normal for your eyes to get tired while staring at your computer screen for long periods of time. Special lenses help alleviate the strain and headaches caused by computer use and glare. There is a difference between anti-glare glasses and computer glasses but the difference is easy to understand once you know a few simple details.

Function and Significance

• Glasses designed for computer use are designed differently than regular glasses for distance or reading. Your eyeglass prescription is adjusted to allow for the distance of your computer screen or monitor, usually 22 to 26 inches from your eyes. Reading glasses are calculated to be used for closer work and distance prescriptions are designed for seeing beyond 26 inches. Anti-reflective coating, also called anti-glare or AR, is a special coating put on the front and back of the lenses that reduces reflection. AR coating helps relieve eye strain that is caused by frequent computer use.

  You can have computer glasses with or without AR coating.

Cost

• The cost of computer glasses versus anti-glare glasses depends on the style of frame, type of lens and place you purchase the glasses. Over-the-counter computer glasses can be purchased relatively inexpensively at major retail stores but the lenses are not custom made. Individual prescriptions vary and to get the best vision results, your eye doctor custom designs lenses made specifically for you based on your needs for computer use. Anti-reflective coating must be ordered as part of your lenses when you purchase glasses through an eye doctor or optical retail store. The cost of the coating varies, but as of 2011, the price of AR coating added to lenses starts at about $20 and varies greatly depending on where you order your lenses.

Durability

• Computer glasses purchased through an optical retail store usually come with some type of warranty. Glasses that come from large chain stores or drugstores do not have warranties because the lenses and frames are usually an inferior quality to optical store glasses. Coatings like AR on lenses are an extra layer of material and require more care because they can scratch off or become damaged from certain chemicals. Your eye-care practitioner will instruct you how to care for your particular type of AR lenses.

Considerations

• The most common symptoms of computer vision syndrome are headaches, blurry vision and eye strain according to Allaboutvision.com. Schedule an appointment with your eye care practitioner to determine the exact cause and solution for your vision problems.