Anti-glare glasses: advantages and principle of operation. Is it necessary to apply anti-reflective coating to glasses?

Anti-reflective coating is a special coating applied that scatters direct sunlight or a beam of bright artificial light, serving to improve the quality of image perception by the human eye and cutting off high spectrum light.

For mobile devices

In bright sunshine, it is simply impossible to see what is written on the monitor of a tablet or smartphone. The reason is the intense reflection of the sun's ray, the appearance of glare. To combat this problem, there is a special anti-reflective film that is simply glued to the display mobile device. The film is quite inexpensive and also protects devices from scratches and shocks.

Computer monitors and large LCD TVs use a built-in anti-glare coating from the factory. It is a special multi-layer coating on the monitor. The anti-reflective coating literally disperses sunlight or artificial light falling on the surface of the device and prevents glare.

For optics

The glasses also use an anti-reflective system. This system implemented on the basis of an anti-reflective coating, which reflects glare and improves the quality of the lens. Anti-reflective coating works best in high-index lenses, as they reflect much more light than plastic ones.

The use of anti-reflective coating in glasses allows, in addition to eliminating the glare effect, also increasing visual acuity.

The technology has spread to Sunglasses. However, please note that such protection cannot be glued or sprayed onto glasses; application is only carried out industrially in vacuum placement of lenses in a special installation. The thickness of the anti-reflective coating layer is only from 0.15 to 0.3 microns, and therefore proposals to “upgrade” your “special coating” are nothing more than a hoax.

For the automotive industry

Anti-glare technology has also become widespread in automotive production. The same technology as in optics is used in the manufacture of windshields.

Such glasses have good color rendering and diffuse ultraviolet radiation, allow you to maintain high image clarity, diffuse and block the glare of the headlights of other cars.

Glass is produced using magnetic sputtering technology in industrial conditions. Anti-reflective glass will allow you to experience driving comfort in any weather conditions and at any time of the day. True, such glass costs a little more than usual, but is it really worth saving on the convenience and safety of traffic?

Our expert - Researcher Laboratory of Ophthalmoergonomics and Optomery of the Helmholtz Moscow Research Institute of State Hospital, Candidate of Medical Sciences Nina Kushnarevich.

Drivers are required to have their cars inspected annually, and their own vision must be checked at least as often. After all, prolonged and monotonous strain on the eyes, which includes driving a car, can adversely affect the state of the visual apparatus, and sometimes this happens quite quickly.

Optics by eye, but not by eye

Need I say that “ sharp eye"For the driver - the first thing?! It seems obvious! No matter how it is! Talk to ophthalmologists and your hair stands on end. It turns out that most of the motorists who contact them, who have less than ideal vision, do not even think about the need to wear glasses. Low-blind drivers have somehow adapted, adapted and feel very confident behind the wheel, ignoring the fact that they have vision problems. But this confidence is deceptive, and you can pay dearly for it. For example, such ailments as retinal dystrophy, damage optic nerve and, of course, refractive errors (even small ones) can lead to a deterioration in the ability to distinguish objects located to the side. What can lead to impaired peripheral vision while driving is clear to everyone without further ado.

Contrast sensitivity of the eyes is also extremely important for drivers, which allows them to distinguish low-contrast images (for example, pedestrians at night) and correctly determine the mutual speed of all participants traffic etc. Many people have difficulty driving at dusk or in fog. All these problems can be solved by properly selected glasses or contact lenses.

Glasses or contacts?

Contact lenses are more convenient. They produce less distortion than glasses (especially at high diopters). Therefore for myopic people they are preferred. In addition, any glasses limit peripheral vision, since they provide the greatest correction only when a person looks straight ahead and not to the side. Another convenience contact lenses- is that they are always in correct position, and glasses sometimes have to be adjusted, which can distract the driver’s attention at the most inopportune moment. And in the event of an injury, the risk of injuring the eyes of a person with lenses, by the way, is also lower than that of a person with glasses.

However, contact lenses also have disadvantages. First of all, this is a higher cost and more complex care (exception - daily lenses, which cannot be reused). In addition, with non-contact vision correction (using glasses), there is no interaction between the lens and the cornea, which is especially important for people with dry eye syndrome, for whom wearing lenses can cause discomfort. In addition, contact lenses cannot be worn during illness (including with a common runny nose), as well as with conjunctivitis, keratitis, and even when taking oral contraceptives. And one more small but significant minus - on a clear, fine day, contact lenses (even those equipped with a UV filter) still cannot replace sunglasses. The fact is that lenses can protect against harmful effects sun rays(including from reflected and peripheral) only inner part eyes. Wherein eyeball and the skin adjacent to the eye remain unprotected. That is why motorists must wear sunglasses when wearing contact lenses.

If glasses, what kind?

Selected by a doctor. Under no circumstances should you make this choice yourself. This is a matter for an ophthalmologist, who should definitely be contacted before obtaining a license and in the coming months after starting to drive. And then - regularly, at least once a year.

With maximum correction. IN ordinary life a person with visual impairments can afford not to wear glasses at all or wear weaker lenses than required, but in the interior of a car they need “eyepieces” in which vision will be optimal.

Well-fitting. The driver should not have to constantly or from time to time adjust his glasses that are sliding down his nose - this distracts him from the road and impairs his vision. Therefore, you should choose frames with high-quality nose pads and suitable size. The design of the frame is also important - the temples should be thin so as not to interfere with your view.

Made from durable material. Recommended for drivers polymer lenses(plastic, fiberglass), since it is lighter and does not break (the most durable materials are polycarbonate and various combined materials: Trivex, etc.). Although polymer lenses can change their properties over time, their optical properties are not inferior to glass lenses, which are prohibited for use by drivers. However, there are exceptions: the use of special technologies makes it possible to produce glass lenses, which, breaking upon impact, do not crumble into small fragments.

Transparent. Any colored lens will block more light. Therefore, ideally glasses should be transparent. It should be kept in mind that according to international standard According to ISO 14889, driving lenses with less than 75% light transmittance at night are not permitted, regardless of their color.

Protectors and Saviors

Today you can buy glasses for drivers with special coatings that have various protective properties.

Anti-glare coatings. Such glasses let in more light and help the eyes recover much faster after being dazzled by the headlights of other cars. Therefore, in conditions of poor visibility on the road, they can significantly improve the quality of vision. Typically these coatings are applied to one or both surfaces of spectacle lenses. However, such glasses are only needed for people with vision problems. Those who see well do not need to wear spectacle lenses without diopters with anti-reflective coating, since any lens reduces light transmission.

Polarized lenses. They effectively protect from both blinding sun and reflected light. Polarizing filters are used both on glasses with diopters and on regular sunglasses, which are good during the day, but are absolutely unacceptable for driving at night or in poor lighting.

Photochromic glasses (“chameleons”). They differ in that they change color depending on the lighting: they darken in the sun, but become transparent indoors. Using them while driving is possible, but we must remember that a significant portion of ultraviolet radiation is blocked by the windshield, which reduces the sun protection effectiveness of such lenses.

Anti-headlight glasses (with yellow or yellow-orange lenses that block Blue colour spectrum). These glasses are suitable for driving at night and in cloudy weather, as they increase the contrast of the “picture”. But the main thing that drivers who get behind the wheel at dusk should know is that for night driving the most accurate correction is needed. After all, in the dark the pupil dilates, which leads to a significant increase in visual interference, and vision (especially contrast sensitivity) becomes worse.


The discomfort of the visual organ that a person experiences as a result of negative radiation emanating from various gadgets is called computer syndrome. The anomaly is detected in 70% of patients who spend a lot of time during the day at a PC. Anti-glare glasses help reduce the risk of developing myopia, hypermetropia and astigmatism. The main thing is to use them on a regular basis.

A unique layer is applied to anti-glare lenses, which has the ability to filter out reflected light fluxes, leaving only the safe sector yellow color. Such eyepieces completely absorb harmful blue rays. This is a very important factor, since it is this sector that has the greatest impact negative impact on visual apparatus.

In a world filled with numerous gadgets, people great amount They spend time in front of a computer monitor, without thinking about how tired their eyes are from the glare of light. By using protective optics, the negative impact is minimized.

Those who have refractive problems should consider purchasing anti-reflective products with diopters. They act as a protective barrier and correct existing deviations.

Indications for the use of anti-reflective lenses

By appearance The product is no different from conventional eyepieces with diopters. However, if you look closely, you can see green or blue tints on the surface. This is explained by the fact that the lenses of anti-reflective products are coated with a unique coating that reflects glare - the main reason for the decline in visual acuity when working with a computer. An antistatic layer is also applied to the product, so the lenses do not attract dust particles.

If a person has an ophthalmological problem, he is prescribed anti-reflective lenses with diopters. Of course, the product does not provide 100% protection from the negative effects of technology, so do not forget to take regular breaks from work so that your eyes can rest. It is advisable to take a break from the monitor every hour, the duration of rest is fifteen minutes.

Doctors also recommend anti-glare glasses in the following cases:

  • Regular work with gadgets for a long time;
  • Tendency to dry mucous membranes;
  • Stinging and burning in the eyes;
  • Increased lacrimation;
  • Feeling of sand under eyelids;
  • Photophobia;
  • Redness of the sclera;
  • Chronic fatigue of the visual apparatus.

Difference between polarized and anti-glare glasses

Even in specialized salons these two concepts are often confused. To learn to distinguish between them, you first need to decide on the definition of glare. These are spots that appear on a smooth or convex glossy surface that reflects light. Thus, it turns out that any surface can glare (with sufficient illumination and at the correct angle of inclination).

Light polarization is a more complex term. It manifests itself when rays strike a plane at a certain angle, are reflected and propagate in the vertical and horizontal directions. The higher the surface's ability to reflect, the more negative the glare has on the eyes. Vertical polarization conveys information about the shades of an object and its contrast, while horizontal polarization creates a variety of interference (blind spots, reflections, etc.).

Glare appears regardless of the time of year. The rays can be reflected from the water surface and snow. In conditions of poor visibility (for example, heavy fog), glare negatively affects visual acuity, as parameters and colors are distorted. The eyes quickly get tired, and the person begins to experience discomfort.

Anti-reflective products are a completely different term, since such a surface should not be shiny or create glare. Such optics include lenses with a unique coating that makes visual system transparent. Such eyepieces are often also called coated eyepieces.

Anti-glare glasses reduce the degree of reflection of light fluxes from the lenses, while increasing image contrast and visual acuity. If you look at a person wearing such products, you can easily see his eyes, and not see your own reflection in the glass.

So, let's summarize. Anti-glare glasses allow more light to pass through without causing glare. Polarized optics have less bandwidth, but also block a variety of interference well.

The principle of operation of anti-glare glasses for computers

A PC monitor emits the whole “bouquet” of light fluxes, but most of all the blue and violet spectrum. These waves are responsible for excessive load visual apparatus, since they are part of UV radiation. Short rays are scattered before reaching the retina of the eye. Thereby clearing the way for green and yellow long-wave streams. For this reason, the picture on the monitor often appears blurry. But red rays are considered useful because they restore metabolism in the tissues of the visual apparatus.

Anti-glare glasses block violet and blue light, preventing damage to the retina and lens. These eyepieces protect your eyes from electromagnetic radiation emanating from the PC display, as well as from excessive brightness and glare.

Computer optics are designed to transmit orange and red light; they have a beneficial effect on the visual apparatus. The products also block harmful short-wave impulses. As a result, image contrast and color rendition are improved.

Anti-reflective lenses reduce drowsiness and increase performance by 30%, since eye strain is reduced.

Operating principle for drivers

The sun's rays, especially in the summer heat or snowy winter, can lead to an emergency on the road. Because they almost completely blind the person behind the wheel. Some car enthusiasts use regular tinted sunglasses, but they only slightly darken objects in their field of vision and do not protect against glare.

The Polaroid Corporation was the first to market anti-glare glasses. Therefore, the products of this manufacturer are considered classics. Initially, the role of the polarizing layer was played by a thin plastic film that was applied to the surface of the lens. Protective covering was located on top of the glass, which caused additional inconvenience, since it was often covered with scratches during transportation.

Modern technologies make it possible to hide anti-reflective film inside the lens, which prevents damage.

After watching the video, you will receive additional information about optics for drivers with a polarizing effect.

How to choose anti-glare glasses

When choosing such products, first of all, you should decide for what purposes you plan to use it:

  • Glasses with tinted lenses provide maximum protection from UV rays and glare scattering. They also significantly reduce the glare of drivers from the headlights of oncoming cars. Allows you to comfortably drive in fog and reduce eye strain;
  • Yellow lenses block ultraviolet light, glare and reduce glare from snow-white snow. They are recommended for use in low light conditions, fog or on a blinding sunny day;
  • Brown eyepieces also block harmful radiation, reduce headlight glare, relieve eye strain, and allow you to drive in foggy conditions.

In any case, before purchasing, you should consult with an ophthalmologist who will help you choose the best option.

Rating of the best

Anti-glare glasses are presented in wide range. However, there are several manufacturers that have proven themselves in the market, offering consumers quality products.

Night view clip on

The product is used for daily wear. Lenses improve image clarity, color brightness and color contrast. There is high protection against UV rays. The advantages of the products include:

  • Use of unique technology to protect the organ of vision;
  • 100% UVA/UVB blocking;
  • They can be read provided the room is well lit;
  • Suitable for people with problems with visual acuity;
  • Minimize eye fatigue;
  • While driving a car, it protects from the blinding headlights of oncoming cars;
  • Allows you to see clearly even at night.

The cost of the product is approximately four hundred rubles.

Computers, smartphones, tablets have become an integral part of the life of modern humanity. Whether at work or at home, a person spends most of his time behind a computer or laptop screen. The natural desire of anyone in this case will be to preserve their vision and protect it as much as possible from the negative radiation that any monitor and screen generates.

What does a person want from a monitor or tablet screen? It must accurately convey colors, have no dead pixels, and have a sufficient viewing angle. Good brightness will also help so that there is no glare on the screen in the sun.

A good monitor should not cause problems, especially to the eyes.

Most of the debate today revolves around a few topics related to screens and vision:

  • Which screen is better - glossy or matte?
  • Is it worth installing anti-glare film?

In dealing with these issues, many consumers forget that 90% of the quality of a good screen is the matrix. Therefore, the first question that should concern every consumer is which matrix to choose?

How does the quality of the matrix affect the laptop screen?

Main a sign of a good matrix directly for vision is the viewing angle. After determining the matrix, the following questions of convenience come up: for some it is more convenient to work with a matte monitor, for others with a glossy one.

In total, there are three groups of matrices:

Liquid crystal matrix (TN) is one of the cheapest and available matrices. She reacts quickly, but her viewing angle leaves much to be desired. Yes, and it distorts the colors a little. Because it’s not the best for vision the best option, but its cheapness does its job.

The picture below clearly shows the viewing angle of the TN matrix and the IPS matrix. After this, there are no unnecessary questions about which laptop screen is better.

The best in terms of viewing angle and color rendering quality is an IPS matrix. LED monitors, etc., have already begun to develop on its basis. For vision, such matrices are the best, but they are also the most expensive. They are always used in professional monitors and screens. In difficult conditions, such a matrix has better readability. Bright light, sunny color do not distort the image.

The example below shows how juicier and better colors on an IPS matrix. When working with such a laptop, your eyes will tire much less.

A monitor with an MDV matrix combines the advantages of the two previous matrices— he took the color rendition from IPS, and the response speed from the TN+Film matrix. But such a matrix is ​​not as dynamic as others. Perfect for artists and photographers who value accurate color reproduction.

A very detailed classification of matrices is described at the following link - matrix classes.

Gloss or matte - what do your eyes vote for?

It doesn’t matter what the user owns, a tablet or a laptop, or whether he has a computer installed. The debate about which is better continues to this day. At first glance, the matte surface of the screen seems more comfortable and pleasing to the human eye.

Matte advantages

Unlike a glossy surface, a matte surface, first of all, does not glare in the sun. Since a person can constantly carry a laptop, like a tablet, with him, his work on the street can be unlimited. A glossy surface in bright sunshine is extra way ruin not only your eyesight, but also your nerves.

But in addition to reflection, there is also color rendition and brightness. And here the matte screen begins to lose its position to gloss. If you have to use a laptop, like a tablet, everywhere, then you can choose a matte screen. Moreover, the laptop lid can always be adjusted to obtain the desired viewing angle.

The matrix is ​​of great importance. If it is TN, then it is better to choose the glossy option. If IPS, then a matte screen will be most comfortable for the eyes. Especially if the user often works with numbers and documents. A matte screen will strain your eyes less during long hours of similar work.

Glossy beauty

People are weak, and very often when choosing a laptop, a person is not guided by common sense, but beauty. And it’s very good if beauty implies quality. In the case of glossy screens, screen quality can only be guaranteed by a good matrix.

The image on such screens seems brighter and more saturated, which seems to help the eyes rest more. But with such reflectivity, the glare of the screen greatly tires the eyes. Moreover, on such a screen you can see every drop and speck, which also bothers the eyes.

Being on the street with such a laptop or tablet is a complete pain. You need to look for the shadow, twist the laptop lid. The glare of the sun makes your eyes hurt even more. With a good IPS matrix, this effect is slightly less, but it is not completely excluded.

True, in a room with ordinary electric lighting (and not behind the back of the person sitting behind the screen!) The viewing angle of such screens is much greater than that of matte screens. And the black color here is more accurate and deep.

For clarity, following the link, very good test the operation of both types of screens on films, graphics and office applications - a battle of screens.

Anti-reflective coating - saving and protecting your eyes?

Very often they sell laptops and tablets with anti-glare coating already installed. But there are also anti-glare films that are relevant not only for tablets. Is it worth spending money on buying a laptop with such a built-in option or is it better to buy a film?

Below is an example of a peeling anti-reflective coating. And this is his main problem. It quickly becomes unusable, especially since few users wonder how to properly care for it. And then the monitor screen looks very unpleasant.

Anti-reflective films are much cheaper. And since any user will buy a protective film for the same tablet, there is no point in buying a tablet with such a coating. It is better to buy a film with such a coating. The purpose of the coating or film is to protect the screen from glare when exposed to sunlight or bright electric light. And the coverage really helps. But the film beats him in this sense. It is much more comfortable for the eyes to work with this film.

The coating is very quickly torn, cut and spoils the entire appearance of the laptop screen. Therefore, when buying a glossy laptop, it is better to immediately buy a protective anti-glare film in the kit, it is more reliable and more convenient. Although over time, dust will begin to clog under it and it will have to be replaced. Although the film makes the screen a little dimmer, it is also protective.

Anti-glare protective film

You can read about how to remove damaged coating from a laptop screen.

So, the user should always approach the choice consciously and familiarize themselves with the topic at least minimally. And it doesn’t matter what he chooses - a screen and matrix or a tablet. The health of his eyes depends on this.

27.05.2015 14:05

Anti-reflex or anti-reflective lenses will perfectly decorate your frames, and seeing through them is much better and more comfortable than through regular ones.
Thanks to a special coating applied to the internal and outside lenses, solar or artificial bright direct rays of light are scattered, making vision more comfortable. The less glare, the more light penetrates the lenses, allowing the eye to see better and the glasses to look better.
Anti-reflex AR coating is especially suitable for high-index lenses, which reflect much more light than plastic lenses we are used to. Generally, the higher the refractive index of a material, the more light it will ultimately reflect.

Lenses made of plastic reflect approximately 8 percent of the sunlight that hits them, so 92 percent of the light reaches the eye. High index plastic lenses are able to reflect light 50 percent more than regular plastic (about 12 percent), and accordingly, even less light reaches the eyes. This problem is quite troublesome in low light conditions, such as when driving in dark time days.
Today's AR-coated lenses virtually eliminate light reflection while allowing 99.5 percent of the sun's rays to penetrate the lens and reach your eyes, improving vision clarity.
By eliminating reflections, anti-reflective glass lenses appear nearly clear, allowing people to see your eyes and facial expressions more clearly. In addition, such glasses look much nicer, so you will always look great in them and under any conditions.

The advantages of lenses with anti-reflective coating include:

  1. Clearer visibility at night, which is especially important for drivers, because no glare will interfere with a calm and safe ride.
  2. Possibility of longer and more comfortable stay at the computer.
It's a good idea to coat your sunglasses with this coating so that light won't be reflected from the inside of the lens into your eyes when the sun is behind you. As a rule, for sunglasses This coating is applied exclusively to inner side, since there is no need to eliminate reflection from the external surface.
Anti-reflective lenses highest quality have an additional “hydrophobic” surface layer that prevents stains from appearing after water drops get on them, thus making the care of the glasses much easier. Some lenses are also equipped with “oleophobic” surface layer, which eliminates the appearance of stains that our fingers can leave, because there is always oil on the skin.
In some cases, the coating is applied to both sides of the lens, and this is done at special enterprises.

How is anti-reflex coating applied to lenses?

Applying an anti-glare coating to eyeglass lenses is a simple technical process that involves vacuum deposition technology.
First, the lens is cleaned, carefully inspected and checked for scratches or other defects. The cleaning process is very important, because even a seemingly insignificant scratch or stain can negatively affect the quality of the coating.
Usually, manufacturing process lies precisely in high-quality cleaning, even with the help of ultrasound, because the main goal of this work is a perfectly clean surface. Then the lenses are dried with air and heated in special ovens, which is done to remove excess moisture and gases from the surface of the lens.
The lenses are mounted on special metal supports with spring holes; here they are securely fastened and open for further coating. The supports are placed in a special chamber with a tightly closing door, from there all the air is pumped out to create a vacuum.
While the lens supports slowly rotate, an energy source located inside the chamber focuses a beam of electrons onto a small crucible containing a certain amount of metal oxides in each individual compartment.
After successive firing of a beam from such a unique electron gun, the oxides are converted into vapor, which gradually fills the entire chamber and settles on each lens, forming a uniform, thin anti-glare layer.


Choosing the best coverage

Each manufacturer has its own secrets, but basically the anti-reflective coating consists of several layers of silicon oxide with alternating low and high refractive indices.
Depending on the manufacturing formula, most lenses have a dull residual color, often blue or green. It is thanks to it that you can recognize whether there is a coating on the lens or not.
This coating is the thinnest, and the thickness of all its layers is approximately 0.3 microns, that is, 0.02 percent of a regular lens.
Caring for these glasses
Typically, products with an anti-reflective coating are wiped with a microfiber cloth, which is included with the finished product.
Follow the recommendations of optical specialists, in this case you can always come to our store, where only highly qualified consultants work, and not only ask about all the features of this type of lens coating, but also order them from us. In addition, there is waiting for you here wide choice frames for every taste and color, for children and adults at anti-crisis prices.