What Are Color Enhancing Lenses?
By now, you've probably heard about Color Enhancing lenses. But what are they really. and why should you get a pair?
Have you ever taken a group photo or selfie and the photo gets ruined by the reflection of your glasses? Or is it hard to see at night with the glaring headlights of other cars? With anti-reflective (AR) coating, these situations will be a thing of the past and you can start wearing your glasses with confidence.
Unlike UV protection, AR coating, also known as anti-glare coating, is not always something that is stressed about when purchasing glasses. People may then think that AR film on lenses is not always worth the extra cost. So is it really needed? One of the problems with prescription glasses and sunglasses, it is called back-glare. Back-glare is the light that hits the back of the lenses and bounces right into your eyes. This can actually impair visibility, especially at night when driving, when the headlights of cars appear to have a halo around them. It can also produce a front glare, which is the light reflecting off the front of your glasses.
AR coating is a very thin film that is layered on the lens. If you have polarized lenses, the AR coating is layered on the back of the lenses because the polarized film is layered on top. Otherwise, the AR coating is usually placed on the top and bottom.
The AR film is made out of multiple layers of metal oxides. These metal oxides have an index refraction that is greater than air but less than glass. An index of refraction is the measure of the bending of a ray of light when passing from one medium into another. This is important because the degree of the bend of the light entering and then exiting the surface of each film layer cancel each other out. By canceling each other out, they eliminate the glare.
The process of applying anti-reflective coating is highly technical and involves using vacuum deposition technology. It is very important that the lenses be free from lint, dirt, smudges, moisture and any unwanted gases before applying the coating. It’s like installing a screen protector on your phone, you have to make sure you are working on a clean surface so unwanted things don’t get trapped under the protector.
Unlike the past methods, AR coatings are baked on and contain chemicals that make them hydrophobic, which means that the lens surface will reduce adhesion of water and grease. The hydrophobic property makes the lenses easier to clean. Also, since the AR film is applied by heat, the coating does not peel off like it did in the past. This reduces the amount of scratching on the lens and it makes it more durable overall.
One of the greatest benefits of AR coating is the elimination of the reflections from the back and front surfaces of your glasses. The elimination of these reflections makes it possible for more light to pass through your lenses.
There is a simple experiment you can do to check if your glasses have an anti-reflective film on them. You just hold the glasses where they will reflect light, this can be sunny windows, computer screens, or anything else that produces light. Look at the front surface of your glasses, if they reflect the light in a color like green, gold, purple or blue, then you have the AR coating. If the colors reflected are the same color as the original light, then your lenses do not have AR coating.
Finding out if your sunglasses have AR coating might be tricker. However, most sunglasses that have an AR film will be only the backside of the lenses. You can see the shimmer of the AR coating on the backside of every pair of Fuse +Plus Lenses.
Mirrored lenses and anti-reflective coating both contain metal properties. Therefore, both mirrored glasses and lenses with AR coating are cared for in the same way.
Before cleaning, you want to make sure you always blow away as many particles as possible. Even the smallest particle stuck to the lenses can act like sandpaper and create scratches. If the particles will not come off, then you can rinse your glasses under running fresh water. Like mirrored lenses, AR film can also be damaged by saltwater. If left to dry the saltwater can scratch the lens. That is why it is important to rinse your lenses in fresh water afterward.
To get rid of smudges, you want to make sure you use a lens cleaning spray. It is important to use lens cleaners that do not have any harsh chemicals that may damage the AR coating. Try using the Fuse lens cleaner that is alcohol-free and safe for all types of coating, including anti-reflective.
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Standard | PRO | ||
---|---|---|---|
Features | |||
Warranty | ✔ LIFETIME |
✔ LIFETIME |
✔ LIFETIME |
Polarized | ✔ | ✔ | |
Quality Polycarbonate | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
100% UV Protection | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Increased Eye Comfort | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Increased Durability | ✔ | ✔ | |
Water and Oil Resistant | ✔ | ✔ | |
Anti-Reflective | ✔ | ✔ | |
Lens Engraving | ✔ | ✔ | |
Enhanced Color and Clarity | ✔ |
Fuse +Plus lens purchases include a lifetime, 1 time replacement guarantee. It doesn’t matter if something happens today, tomorrow, or 10 years from now -- we’ve got your back.
All lens purchases include a lifetime, 1 time replacement warranty standard, no questions asked.
You can add an additional warranty replacement to your order for just $9.99. Adding this option gives you a total of TWO lens replacements over the lifetime of your lenses!
*Each extended warranty purchase applies to one set of lenses on your order. You can only purchase one extended warranty per pair of lenses. Not valid on prescription lens orders
Warranty redemptions may only be used for a lens of the same value and for the same frame as the original purchase. If your lenses become damaged at any time during the warranty time period, simply contact customer service from our Help Center to get a fresh set of lenses.
All lens purchases include a 60-day guarantee. Within 60 days after the date of delivery, you may exchange or return your item for a full refund. To be eligible for a return, your item must be unused, in the original packaging, and in the same condition that you received it.
Unfortunately, gift cards are ineligible for returns. Additionally, past 60 days we are unable to offer you a refund. To complete your return, we require proof of purchase..
We get a ton of packages, so please do not send your items back without first receiving a Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) number. You will receive an RMA number once you have started a return or exchange. To start a return or exchange, contact us at from our Help Center.