High Index Lenses

High Index Eyeglasses and Anti-Reflective Coating: What You Need to Know

High index eyeglasses are perfect for people who typically need thicker glasses because they’re more lightweight, thinner, and look attractive on the face. While these type of glasses are excellent for a number a reasons, it is important to know that high index eyeglasses reflect more light. This is why you need to know about anti-reflective coating and why it is important when choosing high index eyeglasses.

In fact, your eye doctor will most likely suggest anti-reflective coating and can walk your through the difference in types of AR coating for your new glasses.

What is the Difference?

Traditional plastic lenses reflect a little under 10% of light, allowing in a bit over 90% of light that is available. The difference in high index lenses is that they can reflect around 50% more of the available light, allowing in over 12%. This makes it more difficult for low-light conditions such as driving at night, using your Smartphone or even working on a computer.

You shouldn’t have to trade comfort and style for glare and less light. With anti-reflective coating, there is a solution so you have all of the benefits of high index eyeglasses.

Anti-Reflective Coating to the Rescue

Fortunately, anti-reflective coating makes a tremendous difference in how much light is allowed in – an amazing 99.5%. This means it is easier to see when driving at night because there is less glare, the vision is much sharper, and it is easier to work on a computer longer because the screen also has less glare.

What is Anti-Reflective Coating?

Obviously, anti-reflective coating allows more light in so that you get less glare but what is it made out of? The anti-reflective coating is a formula that is proprietary to each manufacturer so there is not a list of ingredients but we can tell you how it works.

Each have an alternating high and low index of refraction due to multiple microscopic layers of metallic oxides. There are layers that affect the wavelengths of light so more layers equals more neutralized reflections. The number of layers depends but some anti-reflective coatings have up to seven layers.

Which Do I Choose?

Choosing an anti-reflective coating is going to depend on a number of factors. Your eye doctor will suggest which is right for you but here are a few examples.

For instance, a coating the helps filter out blue light is perfect for those who work around electronics such as computer screens, Smartphones, etc.

Most coatings will have a very subtle color to them that is hardly noticeable and it will depend on the manufacturer but you can usually count on the color being blue or green. This does not affect your vision and anti-reflective coating actually helps, not hinders.

Is the Care Any Different with Anti-Reflective Coating?

Anti-reflective coating on high index eyeglasses are easy to care for but there are a few rules to keep in mind. Always wet the lenses first and never clean them dry. A dry cleaning can lead to scratches and damage to the lenses even from a cleaning cloth fiber. A tiny scratch can be quite noticeable due to the light reflection being eliminated even if you wouldn’t typically see it in other eyeglasses without the coating.

Your eye doctor will suggest cleaning products and while most people will look to find their own ways of doing things, it is highly recommended to follow their suggestions to keep your eyeglasses functioning well for years to come.

High index eyeglasses are the ideal solution for many eyeglass wearers and anti-reflective coating is just another added benefit to getting excellent vision without glare.