Antireflective Coating — Yes, You Need It

Remember the Seinfeld episode that suggests the undercoating and rust-proofing offered by car dealers are unnecessary add-ons? Have you ever had the same suspicions about antireflective and scratch-resistant coatings that cost extra when you buy your eyeglasses? I am pleased rather than annoyed when patients at Insight Eyecare question the worth of such coatings because it means they are looking out for themselves. I always tell them the same thing — the benefits of antireflective coating are real.

I highly recommend antireflective coating (also called AR coating or antiglare coating) to eliminate reflections from the front and back surface of your lenses. With reflections and glare eliminated, lenses with AR coating provide better vision and improved contrast for night driving, computer use and reading. Without AR coating, a percentage of light reflects off your lenses instead of passing through them, resulting in suboptimal vision. For optimal vision, all the light needs to travel to your retina.

Not only does AR coating make it easier to see, but it also makes it easier for others to see you. AR coating makes your lenses nearly invisible, improving your appearance in photos as well as in person. Without the coating, outside images and lighting can reflect off your glasses so people can’t focus on your eyes. These reflections can be distracting when you’re trying to connect with an individual or a group.

I also recommend scratch-resistant coating, except when lenses already come with a sufficient amount of built-in scratch resistance.

To learn more about AR coating and other lens coatings, click here.

Dr. Jeff Pinkerton
I care for you.