Have you heard of lens coatings? Do you know what they do?

If not, you’re not alone – many people aren’t quite sure about whether they need these eyeglass options, even though they have many benefits. Here are a few of the key things to know about lens coatings, plus some tips for how to choose the right ones for you.

What Are Lens Coatings?

A lens coating is a treatment applied to your glasses to help improve the performance or increase the durability of the lenses. They don’t interfere with the initial function of your glasses, and if applied correctly, you won’t even notice the coating is there.

There are a few different types of lens coatings, and typically, they all offer some type of unique function. The basic types of lens coatings are:

• Scratch-resistant coatings. Perhaps the most straightforward type of lens coating, a scratch-resistant coating helps to prevent your eyeglasses from becoming scratched from daily wear.
• Anti-fog coatings. For those who live in cold areas, an anti-fog coating is a great option. If you’re frequently frustrated with your glasses becoming fogged from your breath, this coating will help to cut down on that fogging effect.
• UV-resistant coatings. Just like UV rays can damage your skin if you don’t wear sunscreen, they can also damage your eyes. This type of coating offers extra protection against up to 100% of harmful UV rays on sunny days.
• Anti-reflective coatings. If you’re worried about your glasses reflecting lights or screens when talking to other people or having your photo taken, these types of lens coatings can help. Anti-reflective lens coatings can also make it easier to drive at night.

How Do You Choose the Right Lens Coatings for You?

If you think that lens coatings sound like great additions to your glasses, we’re here to help you choose the right one for you. While choosing the right pair of glasses involves simply finding a frame that looks good and adding your prescription to the lenses, choosing the right lens coating has more to do with your lifestyle and your needs.

Here are a few questions to ask yourself before choosing lens coatings:

• Do you frequently carry your glasses without a case?
• Do you travel often?
• Do scratches on your glasses bother you more than the average person?

If so, you may want to go with the scratch-resistant lens coatings. If not, move along to the next set of questions.

• Do you live in a cold area with freezing temperatures?
• Can you often see your breath outside?
• Do you frequently wear a face mask?
• Do you often wear your glasses for cold-weather outdoor activities, such as running, walking or hiking?

If so, the anti-fog coatings might be right for you. These help to prevent your glasses from fogging up and impairing your vision. If you don’t have trouble with fog, let’s ask the next set of questions.

• Do you spend a lot of time outdoors in the sun?
• Do you wear your glasses for sunny-day activities, such as biking, going to the beach or spending long days in the car?
• Do you frequently notice yourself squinting into the sun when you’re wearing your glasses?

If you answered “yes” to most or all of these questions, you likely need a UV-resistant coating for your glasses. This works differently from sunglasses by protecting your eyes from UV damage without darkening your vision. If you answered “no,” here’s the final set of questions:

• Do you dislike the reflection on your glasses when you have your photo taken?
• Do you feel like others are looking at the lenses of your glasses when speaking to you?
• Do you notice a reflection from your computer screen, phone or television?

If these sound more like your specific issues, then you’ll likely benefit from a lens coating with anti-reflective properties.