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Anti-Reflection Coating
Preparing Lenses for AR Coating

Cosmetic Considerations with AR Coated Lenses

Edge Polishing
Edge polishing should be done before the lenses are coated. Although the lens edges are not coated, any reflections that come through the edges are usually minuscule. While edge polishes and AR coating can work well together, both a polished edge and a frosted sample should be demonstrated to the patient.

Tinting
If the lenses are going to be tinted, this must be done before being sent to the AR lab. Cosmetic tints reduce light transmission slightly, counteracting the purpose of AR. Coating the lenses makes them virtually invisible, tints make them visible again. Also, the color may not exactly match the sample since AR coating has its own residual color. For best results tint the lenses about 15% darker, then bleach out the excess color until it is about 5% to 10% darker than the end result you want. This will remove any surface dye and stabilize the color. UV treated lenses can also be AR coated. The back surface of sun lenses are often tinted to minimize reflections from light coming from the side or back of the wearer.

Lens Demo Kits Icoat Company Demonstrator Kit. This counter-top display includes two effective demonstrators and patient brouchers. One is a lens with an A/R-coated circle in the middle of an uncoated plano lens. The second is a double lorgnette with an A/R-coated lens on one side and uncoated on the other.

Selecting a Coating Lab

Lenses can be sent directly to a coating lab or they can be sent to the surfacing lab who may act as a middleman. The performance of the lab can be as important as the performance of the coating since customer service is critical to your success. Any questions you might have regarding AR coating should be answered quickly and politely. The cost of having lenses coated will vary according to the type of lenses being used, whether one side or both is being coated, and the amount of work the lab does for your.

Most AR coaters provide same day turn-around within their labs which means three business days for you and your patients when transportation time is factored in. Your coating lab should be able to supply you with support in your effort to educate your patients about the benefits of AR coating, and you with marketing support such as point of purchase materials, and with the technical aspects of dispensing AR.