logo

DESIGNER GLASSES & SUNGLASSES | LENSES AND COATINGS EXPLAINED

Below is a list of all our lenses and coatings and an explanation of how these can benefit you in your daily use.

  • ANTI-FOG COATING (AF)
  • ANTI-REFLECTIVE COATING (AR)
  • HYDROPHOBIC COATING
  • MIRROR COATING (MC)
  • POLARIZED COATING
  • SCRATCH-RESISTANT COATING (SRC)
  • TRANSITIONS LIGHT ADAPTIVE LENSES
  • UV COATING
  • VARIFOCALS AND BIFOCALS

ANTI-FOG COATING (AF)

A permanently bonded coating that has been applied to the inside of the lens. This often works hand-in-hand with ventilation systems, especially popular in ski goggles and sunglasses that have a full visor style.

How it works:

Glasses, goggles or lenses that sit on your head will, in colder climates, have a greater temperature on the inside of the lens compared to the outside of the lens. When these conditions appear the condensation of water forms in very small droplets on the lens giving the impression of fog. Anti-Fog coatings are chemical based treatments that prevent condensation forming single droplets, instead a non-scattering film of water is created which does not cause the lens to mist.

Benefits to you:

If you live or are visiting a particularly cold climate you would benefit from an anti-fog coating as the heat from your head, coupled with the cold climate, will cause the lens to fog. The anti-fog coating greatly minimises the amount of misting that occurs.

Spray and gel solutions are easy wiped off overtime whereas greater resistance to the coating is achieved when manufacturing a lens.

ANTI-REFLECTIVE COATING

A permanently bonded coating on the front and rear of the lens.

How it works:

Glare causes a great deal of strain on your eyes and can cause eye fatigue, headaches and may even trigger migraines. The cause is due to the amount of lost light passing through a spectacle lens as a percentage of light bounces off the surface instead of passing straight through, this loss in light (called stray light) and causes eye fatigue.

The issues of stray light are intensified when you take into consideration the rear of the lens as the bounced light is not only causing eye fatigue but reflecting directly into your eyes thus causing damage as well as intense glare.

Anti-glare coatings are applied to the front and rear of the lens to eliminate stray light, these coatings interfere with the light beams wavelength and incident angles.

Benefits to you:

The benefits of eliminating stray light when wearing glasses or sunglasses is insurmountable; for some it may be the end of agonizing headaches that simply destroy your days productivity, for others, less squinting when driving. What is clear is that reducing eye fatigue benefits everyone, the degree of benefit however, depends on the individual.

HYDROPHOBIC COATING

A coating that has been applied to the outside of the lens.

How it works:

Lens based eyewear is subjected to the elements, especially water spray and rain. This visual distortion can be quite severe and very disruptive for the wearer. To combat such symptoms a hydrophobic coating can be applied which weakens surface tension and facilitates run-off of water droplets from the lens surface. The coating is called a nanoscopic surface layer and repels water, grease, oil, dust and stains such as fingerprints.

Benefits to you:

In practical terms hydrophobic coatings are excellent in the right circumstances. For example, if you were on a bicycle cycling on a busy road and your lenses became distorted by rain droplets the risk of injury is greatly increased, not only because of the distortion but because you would be ill advised to take your hands off the handlebars to clean the lenses. With a hydrophobic coating the rain droplets would simply bead off the lens.

Another key benefit is that the lenses become very easy to clean, a simple wipe of the lens will remove stains and remove the need for lens cleaners.

MIRRORED COATING

A permanently bonded coating on the front of the lens.

How it works:

Mirrored lenses are manufactured by applying several layers of dielectric materials and super thin layers of metal (such as titanium, nickel, chromium, nichrome or inconel). The thickness of the dielectric layer determines just how reflective the lens will become. The greater the reflection, the greater the amount of light blocked from reaching the eyes.

Benefits to you:

Highly reflective lenses block up to 60% of the light from getting to your eyes, this is especially advantageous should you find yourself in very bright light conditions such as sand, water, snow and high altitudes. A reflective lens also has the added feature of blocking onlookers from seeing the wearers eyes.

POLARIZED COATING

Lenses that are laminated to block glare.

How it works:

Polarized lenses are laminated with vertical strips. This only allows vertically angled light to pass through the lens into the eye. This therefore eliminates glare, because the horizontal waves of the glare cannot pass.

Benefits to you:

The benefits to the wearer include less glare. So, when driving glare from the road or dashboard, is reduced making it safer to drive as vision is clearer. Eyes will also will be less fatigued due to not being exposed to as much glare. Therefore allowing the wearer to concentrate for longer. When using a product with polarized lenses, benefits are especially notable around bodies of water. The polarized coating allow for the wearer to look into the water clearer as typically water reflects glare.

SCRATCH-RESISTANT COATING

Gives Protection from everyday accidental damage.

How it works:

A hard coating is applied to the lens. This prolongs the life of the lens. No scratch resistant is completely scratch resistant. It does however increase the lenses resistance.

Benefits to you:

Scratch-resistant coatings prolong the life of the lens within the eyewear product. This means the daily damage they succumb to doesn’t damage the lens as much, or as quickly. Therefore when the eyewear is dropped or cleaned with a paper towel, they are better protected. Less chance of damage, means less money spent on replacing or repairing the damaged eyewear.

TRANSITION LIGHT ADAPTIVE LENSES

Also called photocromic lenses.

How it works:

Technology within the lens reacts to UV rays from the sun. Once UV rays start to pass through the lens, the lens darkens. The more UV that passes through the lens the darker the lens gets. The darker the lens the less UV is allowed to pass through the lens into the eye.

Benefits to you:

Transition lenses reduce the amount of UV Rays hitting the eye, which can damage the eye. A lot of UV rays hitting the eye could over time damage the eye/vision. UV radiation has been associated with cataracts, therefore transition lenses can help reduce the risk. Transition lenses will react to different levels of UV rays passing the lens. This even happens in dull, overcast conditions when the wearer may not think to wear sunglasses. Therefore, transition lenses prevent UV rays entering the eye, when commonly we wouldn’t think of wearing sunglasses. Another great benefit is the fact you don’t need to carry a pair of prescription sunglasses at all times. This is great for convenience, especially in changing weather conditions.

UV COATING

A special coating applied to the lens.

How it works:

The a special coating is applied to the lens. This coating prevents UV rays from entering the eye.

Benefits to you:

This reduces the amount of UV light exposure to the eye. This reduces the chance of cataracts (previously associated with UV radiation) and other eye problems that are associated with UV light exposure.

VARIFOCAL AND BIFOCAL

Lenses that have more than one prescription.

How it works Varifocal:

Varifocal lenses seamlessly get stronger further down the lens.

Benefits to you:

The benefits of a varifocal lens, are a seamless transition between the strength of the lens. This makes the lens look like a normal one. The lens provides distance, a mid-range view (for seeing dashboards and shelves at supermakerts) and near for reading. This means that the wearer will only need one pair of glasses, rather than a pair for reading and another for further away.

How it works Bifocal:

Bifocal lenses have two distinct prescriptions. The lens is split into a prescription for short and a prescription for long distance. The user will have to look up and down to switch between the different distances.

Benefits to you: The user will only need one pair of glasses due to the lens having two prescriptions. Therefore less will be spent on multiple pairs of glasses.

DESIGNER GLASSES & SUNGLASSES | LENSES AND COATINGS EXPLAINED

Below is a list of all our lenses and coatings and an explanation of how these can benefit you in your daily use.

  • ANTI-FOG COATING (AF)
  • ANTI-REFLECTIVE COATING (AR)
  • HYDROPHOBIC COATING
  • MIRROR COATING (MC)
  • POLARIZED COATING
  • SCRATCH-RESISTANT COATING (SRC)
  • TRANSITIONS LIGHT ADAPTIVE LENSES
  • UV COATING
  • VARIFOCALS AND BIFOCALS

ANTI-FOG COATING (AF)

A permanently bonded coating that has been applied to the inside of the lens. This often works hand-in-hand with ventilation systems, especially popular in ski goggles and sunglasses that have a full visor style.

How it works:

Glasses, goggles or lenses that sit on your head will, in colder climates, have a greater temperature on the inside of the lens compared to the outside of the lens. When these conditions appear the condensation of water forms in very small droplets on the lens giving the impression of fog. Anti-Fog coatings are chemical based treatments that prevent condensation forming single droplets, instead a non-scattering film of water is created which does not cause the lens to mist.

Benefits to you:

If you live or are visiting a particularly cold climate you would benefit from an anti-fog coating as the heat from your head, coupled with the cold climate, will cause the lens to fog. The anti-fog coating greatly minimises the amount of misting that occurs.

Spray and gel solutions are easy wiped off overtime whereas greater resistance to the coating is achieved when manufacturing a lens.

ANTI-REFLECTIVE COATING

A permanently bonded coating on the front and rear of the lens.

How it works:

Glare causes a great deal of strain on your eyes and can cause eye fatigue, headaches and may even trigger migraines. The cause is due to the amount of lost light passing through a spectacle lens as a percentage of light bounces off the surface instead of passing straight through, this loss in light (called stray light) and causes eye fatigue.

The issues of stray light are intensified when you take into consideration the rear of the lens as the bounced light is not only causing eye fatigue but reflecting directly into your eyes thus causing damage as well as intense glare.

Anti-glare coatings are applied to the front and rear of the lens to eliminate stray light, these coatings interfere with the light beams wavelength and incident angles.

Benefits to you:

The benefits of eliminating stray light when wearing glasses or sunglasses is insurmountable; for some it may be the end of agonizing headaches that simply destroy your days productivity, for others, less squinting when driving. What is clear is that reducing eye fatigue benefits everyone, the degree of benefit however, depends on the individual.

HYDROPHOBIC COATING

A coating that has been applied to the outside of the lens.

How it works:

Lens based eyewear is subjected to the elements, especially water spray and rain. This visual distortion can be quite severe and very disruptive for the wearer. To combat such symptoms a hydrophobic coating can be applied which weakens surface tension and facilitates run-off of water droplets from the lens surface. The coating is called a nanoscopic surface layer and repels water, grease, oil, dust and stains such as fingerprints.

Benefits to you:

In practical terms hydrophobic coatings are excellent in the right circumstances. For example, if you were on a bicycle cycling on a busy road and your lenses became distorted by rain droplets the risk of injury is greatly increased, not only because of the distortion but because you would be ill advised to take your hands off the handlebars to clean the lenses. With a hydrophobic coating the rain droplets would simply bead off the lens.

Another key benefit is that the lenses become very easy to clean, a simple wipe of the lens will remove stains and remove the need for lens cleaners.

MIRRORED COATING

A permanently bonded coating on the front of the lens.

How it works:

Mirrored lenses are manufactured by applying several layers of dielectric materials and super thin layers of metal (such as titanium, nickel, chromium, nichrome or inconel). The thickness of the dielectric layer determines just how reflective the lens will become. The greater the reflection, the greater the amount of light blocked from reaching the eyes.

Benefits to you:

Highly reflective lenses block up to 60% of the light from getting to your eyes, this is especially advantageous should you find yourself in very bright light conditions such as sand, water, snow and high altitudes. A reflective lens also has the added feature of blocking onlookers from seeing the wearers eyes.

POLARIZED COATING

Lenses that are laminated to block glare.

How it works:

Polarized lenses are laminated with vertical strips. This only allows vertically angled light to pass through the lens into the eye. This therefore eliminates glare, because the horizontal waves of the glare cannot pass.

Benefits to you:

The benefits to the wearer include less glare. So, when driving glare from the road or dashboard, is reduced making it safer to drive as vision is clearer. Eyes will also will be less fatigued due to not being exposed to as much glare. Therefore allowing the wearer to concentrate for longer. When using a product with polarized lenses, benefits are especially notable around bodies of water. The polarized coating allow for the wearer to look into the water clearer as typically water reflects glare.

SCRATCH-RESISTANT COATING

Gives Protection from everyday accidental damage.

How it works:

A hard coating is applied to the lens. This prolongs the life of the lens. No scratch resistant is completely scratch resistant. It does however increase the lenses resistance.

Benefits to you:

Scratch-resistant coatings prolong the life of the lens within the eyewear product. This means the daily damage they succumb to doesn’t damage the lens as much, or as quickly. Therefore when the eyewear is dropped or cleaned with a paper towel, they are better protected. Less chance of damage, means less money spent on replacing or repairing the damaged eyewear.

TRANSITION LIGHT ADAPTIVE LENSES

Also called photocromic lenses.

How it works:

Technology within the lens reacts to UV rays from the sun. Once UV rays start to pass through the lens, the lens darkens. The more UV that passes through the lens the darker the lens gets. The darker the lens the less UV is allowed to pass through the lens into the eye.

Benefits to you:

Transition lenses reduce the amount of UV Rays hitting the eye, which can damage the eye. A lot of UV rays hitting the eye could over time damage the eye/vision. UV radiation has been associated with cataracts, therefore transition lenses can help reduce the risk. Transition lenses will react to different levels of UV rays passing the lens. This even happens in dull, overcast conditions when the wearer may not think to wear sunglasses. Therefore, transition lenses prevent UV rays entering the eye, when commonly we wouldn’t think of wearing sunglasses. Another great benefit is the fact you don’t need to carry a pair of prescription sunglasses at all times. This is great for convenience, especially in changing weather conditions.

UV COATING

A special coating applied to the lens.

How it works:

The a special coating is applied to the lens. This coating prevents UV rays from entering the eye.

Benefits to you:

This reduces the amount of UV light exposure to the eye. This reduces the chance of cataracts (previously associated with UV radiation) and other eye problems that are associated with UV light exposure.

VARIFOCAL AND BIFOCAL

Lenses that have more than one prescription.

How it works Varifocal:

Varifocal lenses seamlessly get stronger further down the lens.

Benefits to you:

The benefits of a varifocal lens, are a seamless transition between the strength of the lens. This makes the lens look like a normal one. The lens provides distance, a mid-range view (for seeing dashboards and shelves at supermakerts) and near for reading. This means that the wearer will only need one pair of glasses, rather than a pair for reading and another for further away.

How it works Bifocal:

Bifocal lenses have two distinct prescriptions. The lens is split into a prescription for short and a prescription for long distance. The user will have to look up and down to switch between the different distances.

Benefits to you: The user will only need one pair of glasses due to the lens having two prescriptions. Therefore less will be spent on multiple pairs of glasses.