{"id":1121,"date":"2022-11-02T13:21:45","date_gmt":"2022-11-02T17:21:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.warbyparker.com\/learn\/?p=1121"},"modified":"2026-04-14T18:42:09","modified_gmt":"2026-04-14T22:42:09","slug":"anti-reflective-coating","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.warbyparker.com\/learn\/anti-reflective-coating","title":{"rendered":"Anti-Reflective Coating: What Is It and How Does It Work?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Anti-reflective coating (also called \u201cAR coating\u201d) is a coating for glasses lenses<\/a> that decreases reflective light. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sounds simple enough, but what exactly<\/em> does that mean? Let\u2019s take a closer look at anti-reflective coating: what it is, how it works, and if it\u2019s worth having. (Spoiler alert: It is!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is Anti-Reflective Coating on Glasses Lenses?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Anti-reflective coating reduces reflective light\u2014in other words, more light is able to pass through the glasses lens rather than bounce off of it. This means that you\u2019ll have little to no reflections on the front or back surfaces of your lenses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Have you ever been on a video call with someone wearing glasses<\/a> and you can\u2019t see their eyes because of the screen\u2019s reflection on their glasses? Or how about having a perfectly good photo spoiled by the camera\u2019s flash reflecting in your glasses? Annoying, right? Enter anti-reflective coating!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anti-Glare vs. Anti-Reflective<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Many people use the terms \u201canti-reflective\u201d and \u201canti-glare\u201d interchangeably, but there\u2019s actually a difference between the two. \u201cAnti-glare glasses\u201d is a term that would more accurately describe polarized sunglasses<\/a>, which block out super-bright light waves such as glare from the sun. On the other hand, anti-reflective coating allows light to pass through the lenses rather than create reflections of light on the lenses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

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\n\t\t\t\"Reduce\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Reduce reflections and glare<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t

Our lenses come standard with anti-reflective coating<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tShop glasses <\/svg>\n<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tShop sunglasses <\/svg>\n<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n
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How Does Anti-Reflective Coating Work?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Different manufacturers have different formulas for their anti-reflective coating, but generally speaking\u2014and without getting too<\/em> science-y on you\u2014AR coatings are made up of microscopic layers of metallic oxides, where each layer impacts different wavelengths of light. The layers are applied using a vacuum coating technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A regular lens only lets so much light through\u2014the rest is reflected off the lens. But a lens with anti-reflective coating applied lets almost 100% of light through.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun fact: Sometimes, depending on the formula, an AR coating might have a slight hint of color to it (e.g., blue, green, or purple), but it\u2019s only noticeable when looking at the lens from certain angles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is Anti-Reflective Coating Worth It?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Right about now, you\u2019re probably thinking, \u201cOk, but do I really need anti-reflective coating on my glasses?\u201d Honestly, yes\u2014anti-reflective glasses are totally worth it. (That\u2019s why anti-reflective coating comes standard on our lenses. \ud83d\ude09) <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Benefits of Anti-Reflective Coating<\/h3>\n\n\n\n