What is Anti-Reflecting Coating?

Anti-Reflecting (AR) coating is a seriers of layers that is adhered to the back and front surface of a lens or just the back of the lens if polarized, to help reduce the amount of reflections on the lens.  Consisting of metal oxides, each layer is a thin film that is designed to block a specific wavelength of light.  The more layers of film, the more wavelengths that are blocked.  AR causes the light that reflects from the inner and outer surfaces of each film layer to become equal, thereby cancelling each other out.

Technology of Today:

Today's premium AR coatings have extra hard coatings that increase its scratch resistance, as well as oleophobic, hydrophobic and anti-static layers that help repel oil, water and dust.  Not only do these layers decrease the amount of debris and dirt that stick to the lens, but they also make the lens easier to clean and thereby reduce surface scratches from excessive cleaning.

Layers of AR Lenses:

  • Oleophobic-are especially important with the multilayer coatings because the more effective the coating, the more likely it is to show smudges.
  • Hydrophobic-are then layers of silicone that is placed on the top of the AR.  It provides a smoot surface that decreases the wetting angle of the lens.  The result is that liquids form small beads that can be easily removed from the lens.

NOTE:  When oleophobic and hydrophobic layers are used together, they create a seal that acts as a secondary scratch coat

  • Anti-Static-layers are place on the lens to prevent static build up.  By reducing static on the lens, airborne particiles are a lot less likely to be attracted to the lens and adhere it.

Why is AR Coating on Sunglasses Lenses so important?

The opinion is often voiced that an AR coating is not required for sunglasse lenses because reflections are not allegedly noticed due to the tint.  In actual fact, reflections on coloured lenses are considerably more irriating for both the wearer and anyone looking at him/her than on clear lenses.  The relationship of unwanted light to usable light makes this clear:  In an uncoated, clear lens with the refractive index 1.525, the relationship of unwanted light to suable light is approx. 9%; in an uncoated sunglass lens it is as much as approx 19.7%.  The darker the lens, the more disturbing the reflections.  Every sunglass lens should therefore be supplied with an AR coating.

CRIZAL COATING(s)

The Crizal Integrated manufacturing process is a multi-step procedure.  The Crizal process takes serveral hours from start to finish and must be applied to the lens before the lens is cut and mounted into the frame.  The Crizal process is sophisticated and utlizing nano-technology, all layers become integrated into one.

  • The lens is carefully loaded into a stainless steel rack.  The surface of the lens is stripped, microscopically cleaned, and chemically activated so the Crizal components can be perfectly matched.  Many lenses are compatible with Crizal, however there is a rigorous qualification process.  See the Crizal Availability Chart to see detailed list
  • Next a two-sided scratch resistant coating which includes the first layer of flexible polymer matrix is applied.  The last layer of the hard coat is a thicker layer and includes more than 50% more silica particles.  A thermal process is used to integrate, fuse, and cross link the hard coating and the substrate
  • In a vacuum chamber, the lens is bombarded with high energy particles using an ion-beam which cleans and activates the lens surface before the application of the AR layers.  Depending on the Crizal product, the exact application of AR layers may vary
  • The SR Booster Layer is incorporated between the hard coat and AR stack.  This signigicantly increases the scratch resistance of the lens.  Still in the chamber, an anti-particulate layer (or anti-static layer) is incorporated into the AR stack to repel dust.  This step is applied on Crizal Avance
  • The super-hydrophobic top coat is applied utilizing Essilors state of the art High Surface Density (HSD) Process.  This technology increases the contact angle so weareres experience an easy to clean lens.
  • The exclusive Pad Control System is applied which allows for precise edging, grooving and drilling.  This layer is necessary because the super hydrophobic is so slippery and to protect the lens integrity.  Once the lens is edged the Pad Control System can be removed by wiping it with a soft cloth

Crizal Easy

Launched in 2011 as a replacedment to original Crizal, the new entry-level to the Crizal Portfolio offers glare and scratch protection, along with smudge resistance.  Crizal Easy lenses provide superior vision over standard lenses.  While standard lenses block up to 18% of light, Crizal Easy lenses allow up to 99% of light pass through which means:

  • More light for sight!  Crisper, clearer vision providing you all the visual benefits needed to see your best
  • Combat Digital Drain: Fewer headaches and less tired eyes due to overhead lights or extended computer use
  • Stay Clean, Repels oils, water and is smudge resistant.

Crizal Alize

The new and improved Crizal Alize lenses give you all the benefits of Crizal Easy plus unparalleled cleanability.  They are easy to clean and stay cleaner, longer

Crizal Avance

Real life gets messy!  That's why Crizal Avance with Scothgard Protector was created.  This lens features all the benefits of Crizal Alize plus the best durability and scratch resistance.  These lenses help protect from scratches, smudges, dust and fingerprints you encounter during your day.  You will also benefit from fewer headaches and less tired eyes when working on the computer or watching TV and safer vision when driving at night.

Crizal Sapphire

With Crizal Sapphire lenses with Scotchgard Protector, you can have the crispest, clearest vision.  This lens features all the benefits of Crizal Avance, plus the clearest vision possible.  These lenses are durable, scratch resisitance, easy to clean and stay cleaner longer.
NOTE:  Not available on Polarized or Tinted Lenses

Crizal SunShield & Sun Mirror

Did you know ordinary sunglasses do not provide UV protection?  They offer protection from UV light entering on the frontside of the lenses; however, they do not protect eyes from UV light reflecting off the backside of the lens.  That has changed with Crizal Sunshield, this new technology now eliminates backside UV reflections, which reduces the amount of UV light entering your eyes, providing you with safer vision.  Crizal Sunshield lenses eliminate 99% of visible glare and reflections on the backside of the lenses, which can cause eyestrain.
Available in 4 solid tints (Grades 0-3)  Black, Gray, Gray/Green & Brown

Sun Mirror Availability:  Silver (Gray 3 polarized or solid tint), Gold (Brown 3 polarized or solid tint), Blue (Gray 3 polarized or solid tint)

Cherry Optical provides IN HOUSE Crizal Coatings, along with Kodak Clear and our in house brands ClearSite & ClearSite EZ