Lens Coatings & Treatments
Lens Coatings & Treatments
Every Ardor lens comes with a standard coating package included in the lens price. We also offer optional upgrades for blue light, screen glare, sunlight reactivity, and polarised sunglasses. This guide explains what each coating does and when it’s worth choosing.
Standard coatings (included with every lens)
Anti-reflective (AR) coating
A thin transparent layer applied to both lens surfaces that reduces reflections from car headlights, screens, and overhead lighting. AR coating also makes your lenses look almost invisible in photos and to people you’re talking to. Every Ardor prescription lens includes premium AR coating as standard.
Scratch-resistant coating
A hard-coat layer that protects the lens surface from everyday wear. It doesn’t make lenses scratch-proof — nothing does — but it dramatically reduces minor scratches from cleaning and handling.
UV protection
Blocks ultraviolet light up to 400 nm, the wavelength medical research links to eye damage over time. All Ardor lenses include this, including clear lenses for indoor use.
Anti-smudge / hydrophobic coating
Repels water, oils, and fingerprints, making lenses easier to clean. Standard on most of our lens tiers.
Optional upgrades
| Coating | Best for | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Blue-light filter | Heavy screen users; gamers; office workers | May add a faint yellow tint when looking at lenses off-face |
| Photochromic (Transitions) | One pair of glasses for indoors and outdoors | Doesn’t darken fully behind a windscreen; takes ~30 seconds to react |
| Polarised | Sunglasses for driving, water sports, fishing | Can make some LCD screens (car dashboards, ATMs) hard to read |
| Mirror coating | Sunglasses — cosmetic and extra glare reduction | Shows fingerprints more easily; cosmetic only |
Which coatings should I choose?
For everyday prescription glasses
The standard package (AR + scratch-resistant + UV + anti-smudge) is enough for most wearers. Add a blue-light filter if you spend more than 6 hours a day on screens.
For sunglasses
Polarised is the single biggest comfort upgrade for outdoor use. UV protection is included as standard. Mirror finishes are cosmetic.
For one-pair-fits-all
Photochromic (Transitions) lenses replace the need for a separate pair of sunglasses. Note they don’t darken fully when driving because car windscreens block most UV.
Frequently asked questions
Are lens coatings worth the money?
The standard package included with every Ardor lens already covers AR, scratch-resistance, UV, and anti-smudge. Optional upgrades only make sense if they match how you actually use the glasses — polarised for sunglasses, blue-light filter for heavy screen use.
Do blue-light glasses prevent eye damage?
Current research is mixed. Blue-light filters can reduce glare and may help with screen-related eye fatigue for some users, but no UK regulator has confirmed they prevent long-term eye damage from screen use. We don’t make medical claims about them.
How long do lens coatings last?
With proper care (microfibre cloth, lens cleaner, no paper towels) coatings typically last the lifetime of the lens — several years. Harsh cleaning or chemical exposure can degrade them faster.
Can I add a coating after I’ve received my glasses?
Coatings are bonded to the lens during manufacture and can’t be added retrospectively. If you want a different coating, the lenses need to be re-made.
Do photochromic lenses work in cars?
Most don’t fully darken behind a windscreen because modern car glass blocks UV. If you drive often, dedicated prescription sunglasses or polarised lenses are usually more comfortable.
Still unsure which coatings suit you? Talk to an Ardor advisor →