Antiglare coating on glasses (anyone else have issues with it?)

Dmac77 · Jan 30, 2009

As the title says, have any of you had an issue with antiglare coatings on your glasses? I got new lenses in my glasses a few months ago, and the sales person at Pearl Vision conned my Mom and I into getting the damn coating.

Over the past few months, I have noticed that after about an hour of wearing the glasses, that a greasy "film" builds up on the glasses. The eyeglass cleaner doesn't even remove the grease, I have to resort to using water, and a few times, I've even had to use iKlear on them, because water didn't even work

eek

.

Also, I've noticed that these lenses are scratching really easily. I never have had this problem with my other glasses (been wearing glasses since I was 7), and these were the first pair that I've actually kept in the case at night. I'm really ticked about this, because we paid $100 extra for the coating, and they've just been a pain in the @$$.

Does anyone else have an issue with antiglare coatings on their glasses? I'm just curious if I just got a bad set of lenses.

Don

Eidorian · Jan 30, 2009

I don't get any additional coating on my glasses anymore for two reasons. First it scratches easily even if it's supposed to be scratch resistant. Second over time the coating eventually starts to degrade and leaves patches of uncoated or coated lens.

Dmac77 · Jan 30, 2009

Eidorian said:
I don't get any additional coating on my glasses anymore for two reasons. First it scratches easily even if it's supposed to be scratch resistant. Second over time the coating eventually starts to degrade and leaves patches of uncoated or coated lens.

I've always gotten Transitions and normal anti-scratch, and I've never had any issue with either of them. But this time, I got the dang antiglare, and by default it came with "super anti-scratch"

, and I've had nothing but problems with the coatings this time around.

Don

QuantumLo0p · Jan 30, 2009

Yeah, I sure do. I let my eye glass store talk me into plastic lenses with anti glare and anti scratch coatings (again!!!) just because tempered glass lenses would have cost an additional 60 dollars.

I feel ripped off (again!!!) for being so stupid to fall for their marketing speak. The coatings are almost worthless. I have to be careful what to clean the lenses with; many cleaners just smear and streak. It's generally more difficult to remove smudges. The anti scratch coatings are a joke also. The coating simply can't stop scratching from occurring on the plastic.

Although plastic lenses are lighter and safer than tempered glass lenses there is no comparison when it comes down to optical performance. Besides, my prescription is so weak the lenses are not thick at all and have even been mistaken for faux, designer specs.

The next time I buy another pair of glasses it will be with REAL glass, not plastic and WITHOUT any coatings. I have owned three sets of eye glasses with glass lenses and with every pair the frames ended up failing before the lenses. Every pair of glasses I owned with plastic lenses, the lenses became very scratched before the frames gave out.

Dmac77 · Jan 30, 2009

QuantumLo0p said:
Yeah, I sure do. I let my eye glass store talk me into plastic lenses with anti glare and anti scratch coatings (again!!!) just because tempered glass lenses would have cost an additional 60 dollars.

I feel ripped off (again!!!) for being so stupid to fall for their marketing speak. The coatings are almost worthless. I have to be careful what to clean the lenses with; many cleaners just smear and streak. It's generally more difficult to remove smudges. The anti scratch coatings are a joke also. The coating simply can't stop scratching from occurring on the plastic.

Although plastic lenses are lighter and safer than tempered glass lenses there is no comparison when it comes down to optical performance. Besides, my prescription is so weak the lenses are not thick at all and have even been mistaken for faux, designer specs.

The next time I buy another pair of glasses it will be with REAL glass, not plastic and WITHOUT any coatings. I have owned three sets of eye glasses with glass lenses and with every pair the frames ended up failing before the lenses. Every pair of glasses I owned with plastic lenses, the lenses became very scratched before the frames gave out.

I wish I had thin lenses! Mine are as thick as an Alienware "notebook"

My left eye makes everything look like a Dali painting

Don

LowEnder · Jan 30, 2009

Cleaning

I had to get anti-glare on my last set of lenses and was given very specific instructions on cleaning: use dishwashing detergent, then rinse with water, then dry with microfiber cloth.......and NEVER use an alcohol-based cleaner.
Obviously there was film build-up with the detergent, so I found a non-alcohol based cleaner (by Leader) that has worked very well.
As for scratches, keep that microfiber cloth clean!!! otherwise, dust/dirt build-up will scratch the lens
good luck!

Dmac77 · Jan 30, 2009

LowEnder said:
I had to get anti-glare on my last set of lenses and was given very specific instructions on cleaning: use dishwashing detergent, then rinse with water, then dry with microfiber cloth.......and NEVER use an alcohol-based cleaner.
Obviously there was film build-up with the detergent, so I found a non-alcohol based cleaner (by Leader) that has worked very well.
As for scratches, keep that microfiber cloth clean!!! otherwise, dust/dirt build-up will scratch the lens
good luck!

The sales person at Pearl Vision, told me to not use any type of soap/detergent on them ever

I use a microfiber cloth that I clean every other day. I find that iKlear does a good job with the grease, but that stuff is waaaaaay to expensive to clean my glasses with! I'll be going back to the Transitions and normal anti-scratch this time around. If they're running a 2 for 1 special, I'll grab a second pair with the antiglare, because they are great for the computer (which I spend the majority of my time away from school on).

Don

Abstract · Jan 30, 2009

I don't really understand what the problem is with regards to plastic lenses, because I'm pretty sure all my lenses have been made of plastic.

My Serengeti sunglasses have glass lenses, but that's it. They both get greasy marks that I need to wipe off with the fibercloth, and they both allow fingerprints. I don't see the difference.

Dmac77 · Jan 30, 2009

Abstract said:
I don't really understand what the problem is with regards to plastic lenses, because I'm pretty sure all my lenses have been made of plastic.

My Serengeti sunglasses have glass lenses, but that's it. They both get greasy marks that I need to wipe off with the fibercloth, and they both allow fingerprints. I don't see the difference.

It's not that they're plastic (all of my glasses have had polycarb lenses), it that the antiglare coating for some reason scratches really easily, and is like a magnet for grease. When I get home from school, it looks like someone went and rubbed lard on my glasses. It's just disgusting!

Don

CalBoy · Jan 30, 2009

I don't think I bothered to get anti-glare coating the last time I got glasses simply because I only wear my glasses early in the morning and right before bed. Otherwise, it's all contacts.

The anti-glare coating can be a pain, because it's the same type used on most sunglasses. Scratching it will remove the coating, and it's not realistic to have glasses go through a normal amount of wear and tear in a given amount of time.

You should look into contacts. I've been wearing them since I was 12 and haven't looked back. No glare, great peripheral vision, and you get to show off your eyes more.

Prof. · Jan 30, 2009

I have anti-glare coating on my glasses and I've never had a problem with them. I use a damp (water) microfiber cloth to clean them and it works out perfectly

Dmac77 · Jan 30, 2009

CalBoy said:
I don't think I bothered to get anti-glare coating the last time I got glasses simply because I only wear my glasses early in the morning and right before bed. Otherwise, it's all contacts.

The anti-glare coating can be a pain, because it's the same type used on most sunglasses. Scratching it will remove the coating, and it's not realistic to have glasses go through a normal amount of wear and tear in a given amount of time.

You should look into contacts. I've been wearing them since I was 12 and haven't looked back. No glare, great peripheral vision, and you get to show off your eyes more.

I like my glasses. I'm known for my Prada frames, and I don't think I look good without my glasses. Plus I can't stand putting eyedrops in, much less contacts

Don

CalBoy · Jan 30, 2009

Dmac77 said:
I like my glasses. I'm known for my Prada frames, and I don't think I look good without my glasses.

Hmmm...that's always hard. I must admit, some guys just look hot in glasses while some don't.

Do some modeling for your boyfriend and see what he says.

Plus I can't stand putting eyedrops in, much less contacts

I thought that at first too, but you get used to it really fast.

Dmac77 · Jan 30, 2009

CalBoy said:
Hmmm...that's always hard. I must admit, some guys just look hot in glasses while some don't.

Do some modeling for your boyfriend and see what he says.

I thought that at first too, but you get used to it really fast.

Will do, I wonder what Nick will say?:hmmm:

Don

CalBoy · Jan 31, 2009

Dmac77 said:
Will do, I wonder what Nick will say?:hmmm:

Sometimes it's also hard to get a fair opinion from someone who's known you a while because they're used to your look. Just FYI.

Dmac77 · Jan 31, 2009

CalBoy said:
Sometimes it's also hard to get a fair opinion from someone who's known you a while because they're used to your look. Just FYI.

That's true. I'm 99% sure that I'll keep my glasses, and just get the lenses that I was getting before (I need new lenses again anyways).

Don

Abstract · Jan 31, 2009

And I'd rather keep wearing glasses because I think they look OK on me.

Saying that, a large proportion of Chinese people need glasses, and they tend to buy nice funky ones, so when I wear my glasses, I either blend in with other Chinese people, or I fit some dorky stereotype that other people have of me. It's weird, because if you go to an Asian country, it's probably far cooler not to wear glasses since they're so commonplace. It's cool to wear contacts. In "western" society, I guess glasses can be cool if they're a bit funky and not so classic. In Asia, my cool glasses would just look boring.

I also think they look good on my face, so I wear them regardless of who I'm with.

However, I definitely get a different feeling when I'm sitting with a lot of other Chinese people than I do if I'm sitting with non-Asians.

Rodimus Prime · Jan 31, 2009

QuantumLo0p said:
Yeah, I sure do. I let my eye glass store talk me into plastic lenses with anti glare and anti scratch coatings (again!!!) just because tempered glass lenses would have cost an additional 60 dollars.

I feel ripped off (again!!!) for being so stupid to fall for their marketing speak. The coatings are almost worthless. I have to be careful what to clean the lenses with; many cleaners just smear and streak. It's generally more difficult to remove smudges. The anti scratch coatings are a joke also. The coating simply can't stop scratching from occurring on the plastic.

Although plastic lenses are lighter and safer than tempered glass lenses there is no comparison when it comes down to optical performance. Besides, my prescription is so weak the lenses are not thick at all and have even been mistaken for faux, designer specs.

The next time I buy another pair of glasses it will be with REAL glass, not plastic and WITHOUT any coatings. I have owned three sets of eye glasses with glass lenses and with every pair the frames ended up failing before the lenses. Every pair of glasses I owned with plastic lenses, the lenses became very scratched before the frames gave out.

Every eye doctor I have had has always strongely recomended the polycarb lenses (aka plastic) because first off they are stronger, more scratch resented, lighter and other advantages.

Add to that the polycarb lens are a lot easier to make. the Temper glass ones have to be form in the correct shape and can not be cut afterwords or it will shatter. There is an insane amount of tensile stress on surface of tempered glass. This is way it shatters the way it does.

For me my frames give out before my lens do but 2 years I am generally ready get something new. That and my glasses are pretty banged up.

Lastly my eye sight is fairly bad so I do not even want to know how think real glass would have to be.

Macky-Mac · Jan 31, 2009

Dmac77 said:
.....I have noticed that after about an hour of wearing the glasses, that a greasy "film" builds up on the glasses......

yep, that's what happens with the anti-glare coating! They're definitely a high maintenance issue......it's why I stopped getting it on my glasses

RedTomato · Jan 31, 2009

LowEnder said:
As for scratches, keep that microfiber cloth clean!!! otherwise, dust/dirt build-up will scratch the lens good luck!

How do you guys clean your microfibre cloth? Do you put it in the washing machine, or do you hand clean it with soap?

Like you I have an expensive new pair of glasses (bright red

) and I'm trying to keep the lenses unscratched. It's really annoying as even after cleaning, they still seem smudged, and i think my cloth is probably dirty.

I have some other cloths, but I tried washing them in soap and water, and after I dried them, the texture just wasn't the same as when new.

Dmac77 · Jan 31, 2009

RedTomato said:
How do you guys clean your microfibre cloth? Do you put it in the washing machine, or do you hand clean it with soap?

Like you I have an expensive new pair of glasses (bright red ) and I'm trying to keep the lenses unscratched. It's really annoying as even after cleaning, they still seem smudged, and i think my cloth is probably dirty.

I have some other cloths, but I tried washing them in soap and water, and after I dried them, the texture just wasn't the same as when new.

I use soap and hot water. They come out like new for me (I air dry them over night also). I've tried the washing machine before, and it ruins them for me.

Don

LowEnder · Jan 31, 2009

When my microfiber cloth starts getting dirty, I just stop by the optical store and pick up some more ...for FREE!
I mean I paid as much for the lenses and frame as an iPhone and one-year of a service contract!

0098386 · Jan 31, 2009

Eidorian said:
I don't get any additional coating on my glasses anymore for two reasons. First it scratches easily even if it's supposed to be scratch resistant. Second over time the coating eventually starts to degrade and leaves patches of uncoated or coated lens.

Really? 6 years ago I bought some glasses with anti-glare/scratch resistant coating and it hasn't worn off them yet.

Also had no problems with a grease build up on any of my anti-glare lenses. I only clean them using a microfibre cloth and with a damp towel after a shower.

Abstract · Jan 31, 2009

How can you tell if the coating has worn off? Are there physical signs that you can see, or can you only tell when you begin to see glare?

Anyway, I can see what Dmac77 is talking about now. My lenses pick up grease quite easily, although I had always assumed that this would also happen with glass lenses, or other types of lenses.

It must be my eyelashes or something.

MacNut · Jan 31, 2009

I have a big bottle of cleaner and some cloths, lenses will get dirty no matter what.

It also helps not to touch the lenses.

Antiglare coating on glasses (anyone else have issues with it?)

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