When you purchase new eyeglasses, “Selecting the right lens coating” is as important as choosing a frame or having a vision test. You may think, “Isn’t everything the same?”, but the clarity of vision and the durability of the lens vary significantly depending on the coating.
In this article, we will explain how to select the coatings that decide lens performance.
【Table of Contents】
- The Difficulty of Selecting Lenses: Why do people struggle to select lenses at the store?
- What is Lens Coating? : A thin layer that supports visual clarity and wearing comfort
- TOKAI’s Main Coating Feature
3.1 Stain-Resistant Performance (water and oil repellency)
3.1 Scratch-Resistance Performance
3.3 Anti-static Performance - Tips for Selecting Coating: The rule of smart selection
4.1 “Stain-Resistance” is the Foundation of Everything
4.2 Select “Anti-static”, and Everything Comes as Standard - Communication Skills to Find the Perfect Glasses for You
- Summary -The Best Life with Glasses Begins with Choosing the Right Coating
1. The Difficulty of Selecting Lenses
For people who are getting glasses for the first time, it may be a bit difficult for you to understand the explanations given at eyeglasses store because of the many technical terms. Have you ever thought, “So, which one should I choose?” and ended up saying “I will just go with your recommendation”?
It is also common for people who have already had glasses to struggle with what to choose because every time you purchase new glasses, new functions and so many coatings are released.
A phrase after having a vision test, choosing your favorite frame and the lenses suppresses thickness or are appropriate to your lifestyle, and you are being asked –“Which coating would you like to apply on your lenses?”
You may think “Every coating looks good, but I can’t tell the differences, so I will go with the recommended one.” because it is hard for you to choose the right option with so much information. However, the coating is the important element that protects a lens “surface” and decides the comfortableness.
To solve the concerns about selecting lenses, let’s take a look at the elements of the coating.
2. What is Lens Coating?
Lens coating is “a thin layer” applied to the lens surface to make glasses easier to handle and provide a more comfortable and clearer view.
While the design of the lens determines “how you see”, the coating affects the “wearing comfort”.
The surface of the lens is covered with multiple thin films that you can’t see, and each of them plays an important role.
There are some features.
- Protects the lens from scratches and reflection
- Makes vision brighter while suppressing glare
- Makes the lens more resistant to stain and easier to clean
As above, the coating is an option that adds value to the lenses. The price varies depending on the features, so it’s important to select ones that suit your needs by considering “the environment in which you use your glasses” or “what you currently find inconvenience with your glasses”.
3. TOKAI’s Main Coating Features
TOKAI’s plastic lenses have three main features.
3.1 Stain-Resistant Features (water and oil repellency)
This is the feature that applies to a special layer that repels water and oil to the surface of the lens. Not only does it make fingerprints, sebum, and water droplets less likely to stick, but also the dirt wipes off so easily, as if it slides off.
★Recommended Situations★
- When wearing glasses for a long time every day and want to keep them clean
- When concerned about oil splashes while cooking or stains when eating out
- When spending a lot of time on rainy days or in high-humidity conditions.
3.2 Scratch Resistance Features
This feature reinforces the delicate surface of the plastic lenses with a hard coating to protect them from scratches. It prevents tiny scratches that can bother your vision and helps maintain the clarity of the lens.
- When frequently putting on and taking off your glasses or carrying them with you
- When sometimes putting your glasses into your bag directly or putting them on the desk.
- When spending a long time with kids, or pets
- When spending a lot of time outdoors where sand and dust tend to blow around
3.3 Anti-static Features
This feature reduces static electricity on the lenses to prevent dust and pollen from sticking. It is expected to suppress the lens deterioration results from wiping because the stain is less likely to stick to the lens and it reduces the number of times you need to wipe your lenses.
★Recommended Situations★
- Environments with a lot of computer work and a tendency for static electricity to occur
- A place where the air tends to get dry because of the air conditioning such as offices
- Going out during pollen season or in dusty areas
- Reducing maintenance frequency and expanding lens lifespan
4. Tips for Selecting Coating
We’ve introduced each feature, but you may still have no idea which one to choose.
Now, we are telling you “The rule of smart selection” for TOKAI plastic lens.
There are simple rules for the combination of features.
4.1 “Stain-resistance” is the foundation of everything
“Stain-resistance (water and oil repellency)” is applied to TOKAI plastic lens as a standard. Easy maintenance conditions are all set without selecting a special option.
4.2 Select “Anti-static”, and everything comes as standard
This is the key point of this section. TOKAI’s coating with “Anti-static” features comes with “Scratch-resistance” features as a standard.
If you select “Anti-static”, you can gain top-class protection performance including all three features;【Stain-resistance + Scratch-resistance + Anti-static】.
Therefore, your option is very simple.
- If you want features enough for daily use, you should select a standard “Stain-resistance”.
- If you want more comfort and want to expand the lens lifespan, you should choose “Anti-static”.
If you are asked “Which coating, are you looking for?”, please remember these two points.
5. Communication Skills to Find the Perfect Glasses for You
The most important thing for choosing glasses you can be satisfied with is “going to the store with plenty of time”.
Once you purchase your glasses, they become your partner you spend every day with for years.
One of the joys of selecting glasses is not making decisions immediately but visiting the store over several days and taking your time to consult and choose carefully.
The store staff will ask you various questions to provide the most suitable recommendation.
- In which situation do you use your glasses often?
- Do you have any problems with your current glasses?
- In which environment do you work?
Based on the information above, the staff will combine the most suitable options from their wide range of lenses and coatings to offer the perfect recommendation for you.
The person who wears glasses is you. Before visiting the store, clarify “why you need glasses” or “the problems you want to solve”, and share them with the staff. This is the easiest way to find the perfect glasses.
6. Summary -The best life with glasses begins with “choosing the right coating”
Glasses are the good partner that supports your everyday life and brings color to each day.
It’s just a transparent plastic lens, but the advanced “coating technology” to maintain the comfort and protect your vision is applied to the surface of the lens.
By understanding and choosing not only the lens design ( how you see), but also the features of the coatings (protection), life with glasses can become richer and more stress-free.
Enjoy the time thinking “Which coating should I choose?” and find the perfect pair of glasses for you.
If you want to know more about the roles of the lenses or how to properly handle them, please take a look here!
The Explanatory Leaflet for Ophthalmic Lens
We, TOKAI, have different coatings that suit each of your lifestyle. Please try on the lenses and experience the differences at the store.
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