What are Anti-Glare Glasses?

There are several options available when you purchase new eyeglasses. Lenses can be polarized or treated with a variety of coatings. Even the material the lenses are made from can be chosen. Anti-reflective or anti-glare treatment, is self-explanatory. It refers to a particular way to treat lenses that offers numerous benefits for the user.

Function

• Anti-glare lenses are treated with special coatings comprised of multiple layers of metal oxides. The metal oxides used in anti-reflective coatings block reflected light from various light sources, such as the sun, headlights and indoor lamps. This coating also gives the lenses a slight green or purple tint.

Benefits

• While most of the benefits of anti-glare lenses go to you, the wearer, they also provide benefits to those around you. For you, driving or being out at night will be easier as headlights and other beams of light will not cause glare to appear suddenly in front of your eyes and impair your vision. Sunlight will also cause less of a glare on your glasses as it reflects off of water or glass and into your eyes. Anti-glare lenses prevent the white reflection often seen in photographs of eyeglass wearers, since the light from the camera's flash is no longer affected. For those looking at you, there will be less of a reflection on your lenses from light sources. This offers an unimpeded view of your entire face as others will have a clear view of your eyes.

Availability

• Most retailers that sell prescription eyeglasses can obtain lenses that are coated with an anti-reflective film; there's usually a modest up-charge for this feature. Some optical outlets, however, may even have anti-reflective lenses as a default option with no extra cost to you. New frames are not necessary; replacement lenses can be easily fitted into your existing frames. If your vision insurance limits how often you can get new eyeglass lenses, you may have to pay for the entire cost of the lenses yourself.

Care

• Use mild cleansers on your eyeglasses and rub them lightly with a soft cloth or chamois. It is a thin coating on the lenses that gives them their anti-reflective properties. Rubbing too vigorously or using harsh chemicals can cause the coating to rub away and your lenses will gradually lose their anti-glare benefits. Eyeglass care kits can be purchased from most eyewear retailers. These typically include a quality cleaning cloth and a spray bottle of mild cleaning solution.