What Is AR Coating?

What exactly is AR coating and is it worth the extra money spent when buying your glasses? First of all AR doesn’t stand for Augmented Reality, although it could when it comes to not having it on your glasses.

Anti-reflective coating is applied to either the outside or inside of lenses depending on whether you are choosing a clear prescription lens or prescription sunglasses. The benefits of having a good anti-reflective coating on your lenses are:

  • More light passing through the lens and optimizing your visual acuity with less distractions especially at night
  • People can see your beautiful eyes and your expressions instead of themselves in your glasses
  • Higher grades of anti-reflective coatings also include treatments that help them repel water and oil
  • Can block blue light emissions for those in front of computers for long hours
  • AR coatings help to protect your eyes from UV rays
  • Extending the life of your lenses because they are more scratch resistant

Years ago anti-reflection coatings were more of a pain than they were worth.  There were problems with peeling, scratches and needing to clean them.

Today’s anti-reflective coatings are strong and durable. They are not a coating on the outside of the lens that in time scratches off, but are baked into the lens matrix itself.

If you are using a high-index lens because of a strong prescription it is advisable to have a good anti-reflective treatment as high index lenses are much more prone to reflections then plastic or polycarbonate lenses. No matter what the lens is made of you will be smart to have an AR coating and be glad you did!

It is best to consult with your eye care professional to help you decide which AR Coating is best for your lifestyle and needs.

We have lenses with AR Coatings from Zeiss and Essilor!

Here at Durham Eyeglass Company we can help you with designer frames and one of a kind DURM frames only available here.  Our frames are designed here in the USA and lenses are cut on-site!