Types of coating applied to spectacle lenses

Purpose of coating:
 Protection
 Appearance
 Clarity
 Fog
Types of coating:
 MAR Coating
 ARC Coating
 Hard Coating(Scratch Resistant Coating)
 UV Coating
 Mirror Coating
 Polarized Coating
 Edge Coating
 Tints
 Anti Fog Coating
MAR(multiple anti -reflection) coatings:
 Allows maximum Transmission, Hydrophobic, Oleo-Phobic, Anti-Static, Enhanced
vision in low light Intensity.
ARC Coating(Anti-Reflective coating):
 Main principle of ARC coating is to reduce the loss of light due to reflection and
increase the light transmitence through the lens to the eyes based on distructive
interference.
 ARC coating are applied on lens surface to efficiently manipulate the light
transmission and reflection to it.
 The thickness of the coating multiplied by its refractive index is exactly one quarter of
 wavelength of light. The refractive index of the coating is the square root of that ofthe
lens material.
 ARC coating is done inside a vaccum chamber.The lens must be free from surface
defects, perfectly cleaned before placing into the chamber. Glass lens can be heated
upto 300 degree Celsius.
Hard Coating(Scratch Resistant Coating):
 Hard coating is a procedure by which a thin layer of material usually 0.5 micron to 10
micron thick is applied to the lens surface.
 The most common material used is lacquer which is applied either by dipping or by
spinning procedure.
 Most common types of hard coating are:
1.Thermally curved dip hard coating:In this coating the lens is slowlymade to pass
through liquid bath of a solvent based hard coat where the coating solution adheres to
both convex and concave sides of the lens.
2. U.V curved hard coating: A liquid hard coat solution is applied to the concave side of the
lens using a process. Lenses are then curved under a uv light for a specific amount of time.

UV Coating:
 UV exposure
Sunlight , welding arcs, industrial sources, mercury vapour lamps, tubelight.
 Conditions
Pterygium, pingecula, cataract, cystoid macular oedema, skin ageing.
 IR wavelength near 1400 nm are very hazardous ; filters for these wavelengths are
usually incorporated into protective goggles and face masks.
 Blue light filters vary in tint between yellow and red. They increase contrast and
facilitate distinction of light and dark areas and are used by mountaineers and skiers.

 Normal coating transmits 5% while best quality coatings allow only 2% uv rays.
  Done by bathing in uv solution before colourations.
Mirror Coatings:
 Applied to front surface of sunglasses only.
 Prevents the appearance of eyes.
 Can decrease the optical clarity or effect negatively the properties of lens.
 It is used for cosmetic purpose only.
 Mirror coatings are applied to lenses by a vaccum application of interference layers
made of powdered oxides, metals, lacquered plastics are other available compounds.
 Mirror coatings should be cleaned with specially formulated lens cleaners like mild
soap and 70% iso-propyl alcohol diluted in water.

Polarized Coating:
 The principle of polarized lenses can be best illustrated by observing Venetian blinds.
 The blinds block lights at certain angles, while allowing lights to transmit through it at
certain angles.
 Polarization implies restricting the light waves to one direction.
Advantages of Polaroid lenses:
 Filters glares.
 Enhances contrast and depth perception.
 Reduces eye strain, greater comfort.
 Improves visual acuity, provides safety.
 Eyes feel rested.
 Realistic perception.
 Reduces reflection.
 Comfortable and attractive-looking sun wear.
Edge Coating:
 Applied to plastic specially 3 piece and half rimless fittings.
 It makes the edges of lens appear like the color of the frame.
 It is only used for a high minus lens.
Tints:
 Lenses can reduce glare improve contrast and enhanced depth perception.
 Grey tinted lenses, Blue tented lenses, Yellow tinted lenses, Brown/Amber tented
lenses, Red/Pink tinted lenses, Green tinted lenses.

Anti Fog Coating:

 Anti fog coating is used to prevent the condensation of water in the form of
small droplets on a surface which resembles fog.
 This coating works either by bthe application lof a surfactant film or by
creating a hydrophilic surface.
 Lens fogging is caused by when the lenses are significantly cooler than the
surrounding air temperature. So, to avoid fog of lens we use anti fog coating.

 These are some of the lens coatings applied to the lenses.

K.C.Nandhini.
Bsc Optometry, 2nd year.
181904150046.