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Eyeglass Lens Coatings


Scratch Resistant Coating (SRC)

Through all the advancements in eyeglass lens coatings, eyeglass lenses unfortunately are still not scratch proof. However, eyeglass lenses that are treated front and back with a clear, hard coating do become much more scratch resistant. All our lenses do include a standard scratch coat.

Ultraviolet (UV)
UV protection on lens is just like sunscreen for our eyes. It's used to keep the sun's harmful UV rays from damaging our eyes and the skin around our eyes. UV treatment in eyeglass lenses prevents those same rays from damaging our eyes. UV exposer is thought to be a cause of cataracts, retinal damage, and other serious eye problems.

All materials provide levels of UV protection. Some lenses which include polycarbonate, high index and Trivex don't need a UV treatment because it is an inherent property of the lens material. Plastic CR-39 does not provide protection across the full UV spectrum without additional UV treatment.

Anti-Reflective / Anti-Glare Coating
Anti-Reflective (AR) coatings improve your vision through the eyeglass lenses when you look through them and enhance the physical appearance of the eyeglasses when someone is looking at you. AR coatings consist of several layers applied to the front and back of the lens surface. Aside from the anti-reflective properties, the coatings can also have a layers for scratch, water, dust, uv and blue light protection. Each AR coatings can have a slight blue, green or purple residual color (slight reflection), residual color depends entirely on the individual manufacturer's formula. Anti-reflective coatings reduce internal and external reflections on the physical lens itself and from sources like, headlights, traffic lights or even overhead lights.

Mirror Coating
Just the opposite of a crystal clear anti-reflective coated lens, mirror coatings are highly reflective bold statements of color. They are available in almost unlimited color selection. Mirror coatings are strictly cosmetic and the wearer sees no difference in vision no matter what the coating colors are. Looking at the lens from the outside in is the only way to tell the actual color of the mirror coating. Highly reflective mirror coatings prevent the eyes of the wearer from being seen by others. Mirror coatings are usually applied to dark sunglass lenses but can be done on lighter or clear lenses as well.