Anti Reflective Vs Anti Glare Coatings - What's The Difference?

If you're looking for some new sunglasses, you’ve likely come across two types of coatings for the lenses, anti-reflective and anti-glare, but aren’t they the same?

There is a small difference between these two lenses and both cover the same bases, helping with clarity, reducing eye strain, and light halos.

We’ll take you through the science behind these coatings, which is better, what the benefits are, and which coating you should choose according to your needs.

Are Anti Glare & Anti Reflective Coatings The Same?

Anti-glare and anti-reflective coatings for glasses are different, but do the same job for the most part. The science behind them and what they are used for differs, this means you might be more suited to one or the other.

The Science Behind The Coatings

Both of these lens coatings have different features and mechanisms that tell them apart -

• Anti-reflective coatings - These are designed to minimize reflections and glare since they allow more light to pass through the lenses. They are excellent for high-index lenses since they reflect more light than plastic lenses. AR coatings reduce reflections to as low as 0.4% which can enhance visual clarity and contrast. They diffuse both external and internal light.

• Anti-glare coatings - These deal with external light sources such as sunlight or high ambient light which can affect the reading of a display. They work by roughening the lens's surface to scatter light, reducing specular reflection. Due to the method, it can slightly reduce clarity and resolution.

What’s Better? Anti Reflective Or Anti Glare

The lens coating you choose depends on your individual needs and preferences -

• For outdoor activities - For people often outdoors, anti-glare coatings can help combat the glare of the sun or other bright light sources. They help to improve readability in outdoor environments and are a low-cost solution.

• For everyday use and digital devices - Anti-reflective coatings are ideal for everyday usage, especially for people who spend a lot of time in front of digital screens. They reduce eye strain and provide sharper vision with less glare, making them ideal for activities such as night driving or working on a computer.

What Are The Benefits Of Anti Glare & Anti Reflective Coatings?

Both of these lens coatings can help with clarity and reduce eye strain, each has individual benefits too -

Anti-Reflective Coating

• Improved visual clarity and contrast.

• Reduced eye strain and fatigue.

• Enhanced appearance by minimizing reflections.

• Better night vision by reducing incoming glare.

Anti-Glare Coating

• Reduced glare from sunlight and other bright light sources.

• Improved visibility in high-glare conditions.

• Suitable for outdoor and sports activities.

Which Coating Is Right For You?

To figure out which coating you should get for your glasses, it’s worth considering the following factors -

Lifestyle

If you're someone who spends a lot of time indoors, working on a computer or other activities that need clear detailed vision, an anti-reflective coating is the best choice for your glasses.

These lenses also help with eye fatigue and tend to have a more natural appearance than anti-glare lenses, making them perfect for everyday use.

For people who spend time outdoors in bright sunlight, anti-glare coatings are a game changer. They reduce the intensity of light reflections and make it easier to see your surroundings without the discomfort of glare.

The Cost

Prices of these coatings vary. Anti-reflective coatings are more expensive due to their advanced technology and have a more natural look. Anti-glare coatings on the other hand are more affordable and can still help with clarity.

The GlassesShop offers premium collection glasses, cheap glasses, and anti-scratch glasses to fit all your eyewear needs.

Investing in the right coating for your glasses can be a cost-effective decision for your eye health and comfort.

For people who use screens a lot, the GlassesShop also offers Blue Block Pro lenses and Photochromic Blue Light glasses which can give sharper vision at night when driving, block harmful blue light, are easy to clean, water resistant, and anti-scratch.

Where To Buy Anti-Reflective Or Anti-Glare Coatings For Your Glasses

GlassesShop provides an extensive range of frames and functional lenses such as single vision, bifocal, and progressive lenses with over 1800 frames.

We have a free home try-on service too which allows you to order up to five frames to try on at home to see what suits you best before committing to a final purchase. We frequently run discounts such as buy one get one free, clearance sales, 50% off new arrivals, and flash sales.

We also have free shipping over $69 and a 365-day guarantee for all our glasses to give you extra peace of mind.

Learn more about our lenses and coatings here.