Anti-Reflective Coating
By Gisela Steyn - B.Optom UJ(SA) CAS(SA)
An anti-reflective or anti-reflection coating is an optical coating applied to the surface of a spectacle lens to reduce reflections and glare. Eliminating reflections allows slightly more light to pass through, producing a slight increase in contrast and visual acuity. Anti-reflective coating has a lower surface energy reducing the areas occupied by foreign particles allowing the lens to be cleaner for longer. A wide range of different types of antireflection coatings is available and is determined by the thickness of the coating which changes the wavelength and incident angle of light reaching the lens surface. This can prevent infra-red, ultra-violet and blue-light from reaching the eyes allowing you to see better, look better and feel better:
See Better
Anti-reflective lenses make night-time driving more comfortable by reducing reflection from car headlights, robot lights and street lights.
Look Better
With the anti-reflective coating on it reduces reflections allowing people to see you and your eyes instead of the spectacles.
Feel Better
Anti-reflective lenses protects your eyes from extended exposure to blue light and help relax your vision, reducing digital eye strain which can lead to headaches and eye fatigue.
Anti-reflective coatings can also provide the following:
Anti-reflections
All anti-reflective coatings have the ability to reduce glare, which in turn improves vision and reduces eye strain.
Scratch Resistance
Premium anti-reflection coatings contains a scratch resistant layer to protect the structural integrity of the lens surface.
Dust and dirt Repellent
Anti-reflective coated lenses have a lower surface energy reducing the areas occupied by foreign particles, like dust and dirt, allowing the lens to be cleaner for longer.
Anti-Static
Premium anti-reflection coatings contains an anti-static layer which prevents dust from clinging to the lens surface.
Water Repellent
Premium anti-reflection coatings contains a water-repellent top layer, ensuring that water droplets don’t adhere to the lens surface but roll off instead, allowing visibility to be kept when walking in the rain.
