How do I protect my eyes from glare?

Dear Doctor,

My question has to do with protection from glare. I was advised to get anti-reflective lenses because of my sensitivity to glare. However, I have some colleagues who have purchased such lenses. They complain that these lenses start peeling within a short time. If this is so, what would you recommend I use to protect my eyes from glare?{{more}}

Frustrated Eyeglass wearer

Dear Frustrated,

I understand your situation.

Anti-reflective lenses, as they are called, have been on the market for some years now. A special coating is placed on these lenses. It is called an anti-reflective coating or A-R coating. This microscopically thin coating helps eliminate reflections from the front and back surfaces of the lenses. It effectively eliminates glare that is caused by light bouncing off the lenses. In this way vision at night while driving, while reading and at the computer is better. One added benefit of this coating is that they make the lenses seem invisible. So persons can focus directly on your eyes without lens reflection. Actors and politicians love such lenses.

These lenses are also highly recommended for persons with very strong powers, because such prescriptions tend to reflect more light.

It is not uncommon to treat sunglasses and photochromatic lenses with A-R coating to improve light transmission.

The majority of the A-R coated lenses on the market tend to smudge easily and are difficult to clean. Moreover, in the tropics, due to excessive heat, the coating tends to peel faster. The salt from the sea air also adds to this problem.

If you need or want a more superior A-R coated lens, the best currently on the market is called CRIZAL from ESSILOR. Crizal lenses are purported to ensure perfectly clear vision by attacking eye glasses’ five worst enemies:

– Glare caused by reflection, especially while driving at night or working at the computer.

– Smudges that cause blurry vision when diffuse light hits the lenses.

– Scratches that can cause visual discomfort.

– Dust particles – an obstacle to clear vision.

– Water drops that disturb clear vision.

A-R coated lenses from Crizal last much longer in higher temperatures, especially at sea. Water practically rolls off the lenses. This is a unique multi-layer coating which reduces glare, smudging and scratching, while repelling dust particles and water drops. They are well worth the extra cost.

Hopefully, this helps answer your concerns.

For more information, please contact your nearest eye care practitioner.

Have a great week.

Dr K Onu

Tel: 784 456-1210