Whether you're a new or seasoned prescription-wearer, optical lingo can be confusing. We're going to tackle everything you need to know about AR, or anti-reflective, coatings for your eyeglasses and sunglasses. Stick around to discover what AR is, if you need it, and if it's different than an anti-glare coating.
Anti-Reflective Coating
1. What is an Anti-Reflective Coating?
2. Do I Need an Anti-Reflective Coating?
3. Can I Add an Anti-Reflective Coating After Purchase?
4. Anti-Reflective vs. Anti-Glare
Watch as Eyeglass Tyler answers your burning FAQs about anti-reflective coatings for eyeglasses and sunglasses.
What is an Anti-Reflective Coating?
Anti-reflective, AR, and anti-glare—they're all the same and they're referring to a coating applied to your glasses. This coating minimizes glare and reflection bouncing off the surface of the lens. When glare and reflection are minimized, more of the light that you need to see makes it to your eyes.
An AR coating is extremely beneficial for both eyeglasses and sunglasses. The difference is that it is applied to both the front and back side of eyeglass lenses, and usually only applied to the back of sunglass lenses.
Do I Need an Anti-Reflective Coating?
While it's not absolutely necessary, it's almost always a good idea to add an AR coating to your glasses. It's especially important for eyeglasses, because it makes a big difference in the quality of the optical clarity you're seeking as a prescription-wearer. Whether you have a clear lens or a transitions lens, an AR coating is extremely beneficial.
It's also beneficial to have an anti-reflective coating applied to the back of your sunglass lenses to prevent that irritating glare from the sun behind you. The only reason you would want an AR coating on the front of your sunglass lenses is if you have a very light lens tint, such as yellow or amber.
Can I Add an Anti-Reflective Coating After Purchase?
Although it's possible, it's a bad idea to add an AR coating after the glasses have been completed. When the coating isn't added during the make process, it negatively affects the quality of your optics. At SportRx we have a See Better Guarantee, so if you decide you want an AR coating after receiving your glasses, you can send them back and we'll remake them for you.
Anti-Reflective vs. Anti-Glare
This one's easy! There's no difference between anti-reflective and anti-glare coatings. They're simply different terms for the same beneficial coating.
Prescription Sunglasses at SportRx
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