lens options
Do You Need Anti-Reflective Coating on New Lenses?
Anti-reflective coatings reduce reflections on eyeglass lenses. Learn when that may matter, how it differs from polarization, and which Lenshaus options to compare.
Lenshaus Editorial Team ·
Short answer: An anti-reflective coating can be useful if reflections on your eyeglass lenses bother you. It reduces light reflected from the lens surfaces, which can make the lenses look clearer and make some distracting reflections less noticeable. Whether it is worth adding depends on where you wear your glasses and what you notice in your current pair.
What does an anti-reflective coating do?
Light can reflect off both the front and back surfaces of a clear lens. An anti-reflective coating reduces those surface reflections. It does not remove every reflection, and the result varies by coating and lighting. It also does not change your prescription.
If you notice light bouncing off your lenses in photos, video calls or rooms with bright overhead lighting, this is the type of reflection to discuss when choosing new lenses. If glare is a concern while driving at night, describe exactly what you see to an eye care professional. Glare can have more than one cause, so a coating should not stand in for an eye exam.
How is it different from polarized or UV-protective lenses?
These features answer different questions. Anti-reflective coatings address reflections from the eyeglass lens surfaces. Polarized lenses are designed to reduce reflected glare from surfaces such as water and snow. UV protection is a separate lens specification to check when choosing sunglasses. An anti-reflective coating alone is not proof of a particular UV rating. For a closer look at outdoor glare, read our guide to tinted and polarized lenses.
What are the Lenshaus options?
The current Lenshaus lens catalog lists Standard Anti-Reflective and Premium Anti-Reflective as options for replacement lenses. The Standard option is described as reducing everyday reflections with a green residual finish. The Premium option is described as addressing reflections and glare. Those descriptions do not predict how either option will feel for an individual wearer.
When using the lens selector, consider where reflections bother you most. If you are unsure which option suits your prescription or frame, ask the Lenshaus team before ordering.