Things to look for in clear lens eyeglasses

Today’s generation knows all about style. Be it clothes or shoes, you must have your own preference and a style that is unique to you. And when it comes to eyeglasses, you have a wide range of style to choose from.

But what about functionality? After all, eyeglasses were made to protect our eyes. When you go to shop for clear lens eyeglass, you can’t just rely on its style. You need to focus on its functionality as well.

Let’s look at some things to look for in clear lens eyeglasses:

Anti-scratch coating

All lightweight eyeglass lens materials have surfaces that are significantly softer and more prone to scratches and abrasions than glass lenses.

The softest eyeglass lens is also one of the most impact-resistant: polycarbonate. But all plastic and high-index plastic lenses require a factory-applied anti-scratch coating for adequate lens durability.

Most of today's modern anti-scratch coatings (also called scratch coats or hard coats) can make your eyeglass lenses nearly as scratch-resistant as glass. But if you're not careful with your glasses or you're buying eyeglasses for your kids, ask about lenses that include a warranty against scratches for a specific period of time.

Anti-reflective coating

An anti-reflective coating makes all eyeglass lenses better. AR coatings eliminate reflections in lenses that reduce contrast and clarity, especially at night. They also make your lenses nearly invisible, so you can make better eye contact and others aren't distracted by reflections in your lenses. AR-coated lenses are also much less likely to have glare spots in photographs.

Anti-reflective coating is especially important if you choose high-index lenses, because the higher the refractive index of lens material, the more light the lenses reflect. In fact, high-index lenses can reflect up to 50 percent more light than CR-39 lenses, causing significantly more glare, unless AR coating is applied.

Also, even when buying sunglasses for women or men, you should check for AR coating as they’ll be handy in your summer vacation trips and beach parties.

UV protection

Cumulative exposure to the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation over a person's lifetime has been associated with age-related eye problems including cataracts and macular degeneration.

For this reason, people should protect their eyes from UV rays from early childhood. Thankfully, polycarbonate and nearly all high-index plastic lenses have 100 percent UV protection built-in, due to absorptive characteristics of the lens material.

But if you choose CR-39 plastic lenses, be aware that these lenses need an added coating to provide equal UV protection afforded by other lens materials.

To get the best value, it's essential to understand the features and benefits of the products you are considering. Choose wisely with the help of a reputable eye care provider and/or eyewear retailer.

When you decide to shop for clear lens eyeglass, always keep in mind that there's no substitute for expert advice.

Buying eyeglass lenses can seem daunting, but it doesn't have to be. The key is getting accurate, unbiased eyeglass lens information from sources you can trust. It also helps to have an idea about what you want before you go shopping for your eyeglasses.