The Ultimate Guide to Lenses and Coatings for Your Glasses

When you are first diagnosed with short sightedness or long sightedness, your optician will usually recommend prescription glasses.

Along with choosing frames, your optician will also explain the different types of lenses and coatings available for your glasses.

It is very easy to get confused by all the jargon used when discussing lenses and coatings.

At Home Eyecare, we have created this simple guide to help you understand the most common lenses and coatings for glasses, so you can make the right choice for your vision and lifestyle:

What are the Different Types of Glasses Lenses?

There are several types of lenses that an optician may prescribe, depending on your eyesight and how you use your glasses.

1. Single Vision Lenses

Single vision lenses are the most common type of prescription lenses.  They have one prescription strength across the entire lens.

These lenses are used to correct vision at one distance only.  This may be for distance vision such as driving or for near vision such as reading.

Single vision lenses can be prescribed for both short sightedness and long sightedness.

2. Bifocal Lenses

Bifocal lenses are designed to correct vision at two distances.  They usually have a visible line on the lens that separates the two prescriptions.

The upper part of the lens is normally used for distance vision, while the lower part is used for near vision such as reading.

The advantage of bifocal lenses is that they combine two prescriptions into one pair of glasses, meaning you do not need separate pairs for distance and reading.

Bifocals are commonly prescribed as part of the natural ageing process.

3. Varifocal and Trifocal Lenses

Varifocal and trifocal lenses provide vision correction at more than two distances without a visible line on the lens.

The top of the lens is used for distance vision, the middle area is for intermediate distances such as computer screens and the lower part is for near vision such as reading.

These lenses work by gradually changing the prescription strength from the top of the lens to the bottom.

4. Office Lenses (Degressive Lenses)

Office lenses, also known as degressive lenses which are designed specifically for indoor and office environments.

The top part of the lens is used for computer screens or looking across a room, while the lower part is used for close work such as reading.

These lenses are ideal for people who spend long periods working at a desk or using digital devices.

What are the Different Types of Lens Coatings for Glasses?

Lens coatings are applied to improve the performance,durability and appearance of your glasses.

There are several different types of coatings available and each one has a different purpose. Your optician will advise which coatings are most suitable for your needs see the list below:

1. Ultraviolet (UV) Coating

UV coating helps to protect your eyes from harmful ultraviolet rays.  Long-term exposure to UV light can increase the risk of eye conditions such as cataracts.

A UV coating reduces the amount of UV light that passes through the lens, helping you to protect your eyes from harmful ultraviolet radiation.

2. Anti-Scratch Coating

While no lens is completely scratch-proof, anti-scratch coatings make lenses more durable.

This protective coating hardens the surface of the lens helping to reduce damage from everyday wear and accidental drops.

Anti-scratch coatings can be particularly useful for people who use their glasses every day or are concerned about damaging their lenses.

3. Anti-Reflection (AR) Coating

Anti-reflection coating, also known as anti-glare coating, is a thin layered coating applied to the front and back of the lens.

It reduces glare caused by light reflecting off the lens surface, which can improve visual comfort when driving at night and when using computers or reading.

AR coating also improves the appearance of glasses as people can see your eyes more clearly rather than reflections on the lenses.

What Is the Best Coating for Glasses?

There is no single coating that is best for everyone. The most suitable coating will depend on your prescription, lifestyle and how you use your glasses.

For example, someone who spends a lot of time using a computer may benefit from an anti-reflection coating, while someone who wears their glasses throughout the day may find an anti-scratch coating useful.

Your optician will be able to explain the different lens coating options and recommend the most suitable combination for your needs.

Do Glasses Need a Lens Coating?

Lens coatings are not essential for everyone, but they can provide additional protection and improve the performance and appearance of your glasses.

Some coatings can help reduce reflections, protect lenses from everyday scratches or reduce the amount of ultraviolet light passing through the lens.

The right coating will depend on your individual needs and how you use your glasses.

Can Glasses Lenses Be Recoated?

If the coating on your glasses becomes damaged or starts to deteriorate, you may wonder whether the lenses can simply be recoated.

In most cases, lens coatings are applied during the manufacturing process and cannot simply be replaced in the same way as applying a new coating to a surface.

If your lenses have become damaged, your optician can advise whether the lenses can be repaired or whether replacing them would be the better option.

How Do I Choose the Right Lenses and Coatings?

Choosing the right lenses and coatings depends on your prescription, your age, your lifestyle and how you use your glasses.

Your optician will take all of these factors into consideration before recommending the most suitable lenses.

It is important to remember that the most expensive lens or coating is not necessarily the best option for everyone.

Our optician will guide you through the different lenses and coatings available and explain the benefits of each option, helping you make an informed decision.

Contact us today to speak to our friendly team and discuss your eyewear needs.

Frequently Asked Questions About Lenses and Coatings