Your eye doctor may recommend coatings to protect your vision and your shades. The sunglasses that Layoners offer can be fitted with these coatings and should be a priority and not an afterthought.

Eyeglasses are not only a fashion statement but also a medical device. The lens is an important part that should be given importance because it is unique especially to your eyes. 

The lens coating should improve the lens durability, visual acuity, lowers eye strain, and filter blue light. This is why spending a bit of extra for your shades should not be an issue.

Below are the different types of coatings that can be placed on your lenses: 

  • Scratch-resistant coating

There’s really no scratch-resistant lenses. However, when treated, the lenses can have a Scratch-resistant coating that makes it resistant to scratch. Even if you drop your shades or clean it with a rough cloth. 

The good news is that most eyeglass lenses whether it is made of Trivex or polycarbonate can have a scratch-resistant coating. However, you should know that it is optional, so you need to talk with your optician if you want to have this feature for your shades. 

The coating makes the lenses hard to resist scratches. Even with this characteristic, it doesn’t mean that it doesn’t wear and tear. It is still prone to major impact.

You still need to take care of your shades and place it in the case when not in use. Regularly clean it with a microfiber cloth and the solution that is available in your optician. 

  • Anti-reflective coating (AR)

Anti-reflective coating, also known as AR or anti-glare coating is a thin coating placed on the lenses to get rid of reflections and glare at the front and back surface of the lenses allowing better vision and reducing eye strain. It also lowers the halos created by light.

The coating enhances light transmission when driving at night. It can also aid photochromic lenses to lessen glare during bright, sunny weather.

Almost all lenses are recommended to have this coating. High-index, aspheric lenses,

And polycarbonate lenses should not be an exemption as they reflect more light than other regular lenses.  

The only cons for this coating are that it can scratch quickly. It’s not recommended for people who are working under different conditions and those from debris-heavy environments like construction. 

It is good for people whose activities involve talking to other people especially outdoors. People who drive at night should also have this type of coating and when using the computer.

  • Ultraviolet Coating

Over time, constant sun exposure of your eyes can lead to age-related eye diseases like macular degeneration, cataract, and retinal damage. However, wearing shades with UV coating (100 percent UVA and UVB protection) can safeguard your eyes from the harmful radiation. 

Almost all eyeglasses that have high-index plastic and polycarbonate lenses are built-in with 100 percent UV protection. Sunglasses Layoners offer this kind of coating to its wide array of shades.

If you’re buying regular plastic shades, it can block most of the UV rays. However, you can have it added with a UV-blocking dye to ensure that it can block 100 percent of the UV light. If you have photochromic lenses, it can already block UV light 100 percent.

This coating is known as the sunblock to your eyes. Ensure that your shades have UV coating before buying one.   

  • Anti-fog coating

During winter or cold months, it can be frustrating to have foggy lenses when you go outdoors. It lowers your ability to see clearly which can be a serious issue of safety. Policemen, first responders, and drivers should have this kind of coating to their lenses.

Lenses can fog up when you are doing sports or perspiring too. In these conditions, your lenses should have an anti-fog coating. 

Opticote created this type of permanent coating that can solve the problem. The coating called Fog-Free eradicates the condensation of moisture on lenses to cause the fog.

With this technology, the lenses stay clear even when you move from cold to warm environments. It has also the ability to remove fog during sports and when perspiring.  

Before the lenses are cut to fit the frame, the coating is applied to it. Ask your optician about the cost and availability. 

Another company initiated the Optifog lenses that keep the lenses free from fog to up to one week. Here, an Optifog Activator is dropped to each lens.