The world of lens coatings is diverse, but that doesn’t mean choosing the right ones for you has to be hard. Lens coatings give a tailor-made solution to common problems glasses wearers encounter,  including eye conditions related to  ultraviolet (UV) light, scratched lenses, and too much glare. With so many options, you may have questions about which coating is the best for your needs. Below is a quick guide to help you find the right fit.

UV Protection 

Overexposure to ultraviolet light is thought to contribute to the development of certain eye conditions, such as cataracts,  macular degeneration,  and eye surface damage. It’s a good idea to speak with your eye care provider if you have a family history or are concerned about UV related changes to your eyes. They may recommend that your glasses  protect against  UV light  to keep your eyes healthy.  At Zenni,  all of our  lenses protect against UV light without the need for an extra coating or additional cost.

Scratch-Resistant Coatings

Scratch-resistant coatings are great for all lens types because they strengthen and  extend the life of the lens. The coating also makes the lens harder, which can be helpful  if the glasses get dropped on the floor or experience any sort of physical stress.   It’s important to  remember that while these coatings resist scratching, they don’t totally  prevent it from occurring. 

Storing your glasses in a case and cleaning them with a microfiber cloth helps reduce the chances of the lenses becoming scratched. Always remember that once scratches develop, they can’t be removed or buffed out – so take extra care! Check out our various cases, lens cloths, and cleaning kits in Zenni’s accessories store.  A scratch-resistant coating is also included on all Zenni lenses for no additional cost.

Anti-Reflective & Anti-fog Coatings

If you do a lot of reading, computer work, or night driving, an anti-reflective coating (ARC) can make these tasks much more pleasant — as well as safer when it comes to driving because they help reduce glare and halos from headlights and street lamps.

This thin, multi-layered coating, which is also called an “anti-glare” coating,  is useful for any lens material. As an added bonus,  anti-reflective coatings tend to make glasses lenses look more flattering on the face because they  reduce surface  reflections,  resulting in a crisp, clear lens appearance both in photos and in person. 

Anti-fog lenses are great for anyone who has fog issues while wearing a mask, exercising, playing sports, or cooking. Zenni also offers an amazing anti-fog coating which includes ARC.  Each pair of anti-fog coated lenses come with a special anti-fog activator lens cloth to help keep them extra clear. When used together, the lens coating with activator lens cloth provide several hours of fog-free lenses before needing to wipe with the lens cloth again.  

AT Zenni, we offer three types of anti-reflective coatings: Standard, Advanced, and Premium. The chart below outlines each anti-reflective coating and anti-fog coating along with their features:

 

Mirror Sunglass Coatings

A fun way to add some flare to your sunglasses is to add a reflective mirror coating. Each mirror finish comes with an oil and fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating on the front and back to keep mirror shades looking clean and sharp, while also minimizing light reflecting into your eyes.

We currently offer eight different mirror coating colors: gold, silver, flame red, lavender, moss green, rose gold, sky blue, and indigo blue. Learn more on how to order mirror sunglasses from Zenni.

Blue Light Blocking Lenses

Another lens option to consider is one with blue light blocking technology.  Blue light is  emitted from the sun, artificial lighting and from our digital devices. It has been linked to symptoms like dry eyes, blurred vision, and disrupted sleep. 

Although many blue blocking lenses on the market are coatings, Zenni’s Blokz lenses come with  blue blocking technology baked into the lens. This unique feature allows for enhanced blue light absorption, better longevity, and reduced chances for scratching.

Our Blokz lenses are great for glasses wearers of all ages and are offered in traditional clear Blokz, impact resistant Blokz Trivex, light sensitive Blokz Photochromic, and tinted Blokz Sunglasses. To learn more about Zenni’s  blue blocking lenses, and find the right one for your needs, visit our Blokz Blue Blocker Lenses page.

Now that you are familiar with the various options, head to Zenni to pick a stylish frame to complement your lenses!