Anti Reflection CoatingsAnti Reflection CoatingsPrepared for S.C.C.O. Department of

Continuing Optometric EducationPrepared for S.C.C.O. Department of Prepared for S.C.C.O. Department of

Continuing Optometric EducationContinuing Optometric Education

AR coatings . . .

nn were recently declared “The Ultimate were recently declared “The Ultimate AddAdd--On” in an EYECARE BUSINESS On” in an EYECARE BUSINESS articlearticle

nn Many in the industry believe AR usage Many in the industry believe AR usage in the U.S. will explode in the next few in the U.S. will explode in the next few yearsyears

nn Understanding more about AR will be Understanding more about AR will be helpful as this growth occurshelpful as this growth occurs

AR usage

nn has grown considerably during the past has grown considerably during the past two yearstwo years

nn It’s still in it’s infancy in the U.S. It’s still in it’s infancy in the U.S. when compared to Europe, Canada and when compared to Europe, Canada and JapanJapan

nn The following chart reveals these The following chart reveals these startling differencesstartling differences

World-wide AR Usage

7%

30%

60%

90%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

U.S. Canada Europe Japan

Special reasons . . .

nn There are some unique reasons why AR There are some unique reasons why AR coatings are so much more prevalent in coatings are so much more prevalent in Europe or JapanEurope or Japan

Reason #1

nn Lens manufacturers in other countries Lens manufacturers in other countries sell direct to retail offices, not through sell direct to retail offices, not through independent laboratories as in the U.S.independent laboratories as in the U.S.

nn There are only a few very large labs in There are only a few very large labs in those countries and each of them has those countries and each of them has AR coating facilities inAR coating facilities in--househouse

Reason #2

nn Glass lenses are more common in those Glass lenses are more common in those countries countries

nn Coating glass lenses is easier and less Coating glass lenses is easier and less complex than coating plastic lensescomplex than coating plastic lenses

nn Glass AR coatings were used for years Glass AR coatings were used for years before the technique was developed for before the technique was developed for plastic lensesplastic lenses

A growing market

nn The U.S. market is expected to grow The U.S. market is expected to grow substantially in the next several yearssubstantially in the next several years

nn Understanding AR technology will become Understanding AR technology will become an essential ingredient in modernan essential ingredient in modern eyecareeyecare

nn The following information is based on The following information is based on information published by the Optical information published by the Optical Laboratories AssociationLaboratories Association

Early AR coatings

nn were quite primitive and featured a single were quite primitive and featured a single AR layer on each surface and produced 96 AR layer on each surface and produced 96 percent light transmissionpercent light transmission

nn TwoTwo--layer coatings were later developed layer coatings were later developed that increased light transmission to 97 that increased light transmission to 97 percentpercent

The current technology

nn is a is a multimulti--layerlayer coatingcoatingnn It consists of 5 layers on each side of the It consists of 5 layers on each side of the

lenslensnn The more primitive coatings can still be The more primitive coatings can still be

ordered but are considered outordered but are considered out--ofof--date and date and seldom usedseldom used

It’s not necessary . . .

nn to understand the technology in order to to understand the technology in order to prescribe AR coatingsprescribe AR coatings

nn It helps, however, to be fully informed It helps, however, to be fully informed regarding how AR coatings work so they regarding how AR coatings work so they can be effectively explained to the patientcan be effectively explained to the patient

A scientific explanation

nn The technology is very complexThe technology is very complexnn Understanding how it works is not Understanding how it works is not

particularly importantparticularly important

What is important

nn is that even fiveis that even five--layer coatings are layer coatings are ultra thinultra thin

nn So thin, they are measured in So thin, they are measured in angstromsangstroms

An angstrom

nn is less than a wavelength in thicknessis less than a wavelength in thicknessnn Imagine a single millimeter divided Imagine a single millimeter divided

into 10 million partsinto 10 million partsnn One of those parts would equal an One of those parts would equal an

angstromangstrom

An example

nn Imagine a 150 story Imagine a 150 story skyscraper with 1/4 skyscraper with 1/4 inch of snow on the inch of snow on the roof!roof!

nn That’s comparable to That’s comparable to the relationship of an the relationship of an AR coating and a AR coating and a lenslens

Single-layer coatings

nn eliminate reflected light at a single eliminate reflected light at a single wavelengthwavelength

nn This leaves some reflections remainingThis leaves some reflections remainingnn This is why modern multiThis is why modern multi--layer AR layer AR

coatings are so much more efficient than coatings are so much more efficient than earlier coatingsearlier coatings

Adding additional layersnn eliminates additional eliminates additional

wavelengths and wavelengths and remaining reflectionsremaining reflections

nn Coating labs utilize Coating labs utilize sophisticated computers sophisticated computers to determine the precise to determine the precise formula for each lens formula for each lens materialmaterial

Light transmissions

nn of different lens materials can vary quite of different lens materials can vary quite substantiallysubstantially

nn High index materials transmit less light High index materials transmit less light than conventional glass or plasticthan conventional glass or plastic

nn Whatever light is not transmitted Whatever light is not transmitted becomes reflected lightbecomes reflected light

nn The following graph illustrates thisThe following graph illustrates this

Percent of reflected light

02468

1012141618

Reflectedlight

CR-39Crown Glass1.56 high indexPolycarbonate1.60 H.I. plastic1.60 H.I. glass1.70 H.I. glass1.80 H.I. glass

Residual color

nn No AR coating so far has been able to No AR coating so far has been able to transmit 100 percent of lighttransmit 100 percent of light

nn A faint residual color will be noticed on A faint residual color will be noticed on AR coatingsAR coatings

nn The exact color shade is determined by The exact color shade is determined by the manufacturer and each goes to great the manufacturer and each goes to great lengths to maintain a consistency in that lengths to maintain a consistency in that colorcolor

Patient Benefits

nn There are two distinctly different patient There are two distinctly different patient benefits to AR coated lenses and it is benefits to AR coated lenses and it is important to understand how they vary important to understand how they vary from one anotherfrom one another

1. The cosmetic benefit

nn AR can make a vast difference in AR can make a vast difference in cosmetic appearancecosmetic appearance

nn The difference in night driving, for The difference in night driving, for example, can be dramatic!example, can be dramatic!

2. The visual benefit

AR marketing

nn often focuses solely on the cosmetic often focuses solely on the cosmetic advantages of ARadvantages of AR

nn This is because cosmetic benefits are so This is because cosmetic benefits are so easy to demonstrate, whether in easy to demonstrate, whether in demonstrations or in printed literaturedemonstrations or in printed literature

Industry experts

nn believe that emphasis on the visual believe that emphasis on the visual benefits is of greater interest to more benefits is of greater interest to more peoplepeople

nn They suggest that these visual benefits They suggest that these visual benefits be discussed with the patient be discussed with the patient beforebefore the the cosmetic benefits are explainedcosmetic benefits are explained

A review

nn Let’s review each patient benefit so Let’s review each patient benefit so you will be fully prepared to inform you will be fully prepared to inform every patient about this modern newevery patient about this modern neweyecareeyecare technologytechnology

The cosmetic benefit

nn AR reduces viewerAR reduces viewer--observed observed reflectionsreflections

This is the best-known feature provided by AR

coatings but is primarily of interest to those concerned

about their appearance.

Eliminates

nn The “coke bottle” lookThe “coke bottle” look

This is also a cosmetic benefit but is extremely

important to high myopes. Explain this benefit to

anyone wearing -4.00 or higher.

The 2nd benefit is VISUAL

nn Patients see better with coated lenses Patients see better with coated lenses because their lenses transmit more lightbecause their lenses transmit more light

nn Light transmission through Light transmission through conventional lenses increases from 91% conventional lenses increases from 91% to 99.5%to 99.5%

nn High index lenses gain an even greater High index lenses gain an even greater increase (11 to 12%)increase (11 to 12%)

Ghost images

nn are eliminated when AR is addedare eliminated when AR is added

This phenomenon is so normal to anyone wearing glasses, we tend to assume

it goes with wearing glasses. AR eliminates

these ghost images.

Night driving improves

nn Annoying reflections from night time Annoying reflections from night time lights are eliminatedlights are eliminated

Those ghost images are most noticed at night and eliminating them is the most immediate benefit patients notice with their

new AR lenses

Back surface reflections

nn These are especially pronounced with These are especially pronounced with flatter aspheric lensesflatter aspheric lenses

The use of aspheric lenses is another fast-growing

market. Suggesting an AR coating for aspheric lenses should be routine as you dispense aspheric lenses.

Explaining AR

nn First describe the visual First describe the visual benefitsbenefits

nn “YOU “YOU SEE BETTERSEE BETTERWEARING AR LENSES”WEARING AR LENSES”

Describing the visual benefits

nn Remember to describe all of themRemember to describe all of them11 Elimination of distracting reflectionsElimination of distracting reflections22 Vastly improved night visionVastly improved night vision33 And, if appropriate, elimination of And, if appropriate, elimination of

power ringspower rings

Only then

nn should you explain the should you explain the cosmetic benefitscosmetic benefits

nn “YOU “YOU LOOK BETTERLOOK BETTERWEARING AR LENSES”WEARING AR LENSES”

Demonstrating AR

nn Ideally, you will demonstrate both AR Ideally, you will demonstrate both AR benefitsbenefits

nn Unfortunately, only the cosmetic Unfortunately, only the cosmetic benefits can be demonstrated benefits can be demonstrated

Your professional relationshipnn with the patient now with the patient now

comes into play comes into play nn Patients come to you Patients come to you

because of your because of your technical knowledge technical knowledge and experienceand experience

They will . . .

nn accept and appreciate your explanation accept and appreciate your explanation of AR’s visual benefitsof AR’s visual benefits

nn Your professional advice is very Your professional advice is very important to them so don’t discount the important to them so don’t discount the importance of helping your dispenser by importance of helping your dispenser by advising the patient on valuable advising the patient on valuable premiumpremium addonsaddons such as ARsuch as AR

Never confuse . . .

nn offering professional advice to your patients offering professional advice to your patients with “selling” productswith “selling” products

nn If you truly believe an AR coating will If you truly believe an AR coating will benefit the patient, explaining why and benefit the patient, explaining why and recommending AR is an expected part of recommending AR is an expected part of your service to that patientyour service to that patient

The only drawback to AR

nn Until recently, AR Until recently, AR coatings were difficult to coatings were difficult to keep cleankeep clean

nn They required careful They required careful maintenance by the maintenance by the patientpatient

One of AR’s properties

nn was responsible for the difficulty in was responsible for the difficulty in keeping them cleankeeping them clean

nn On an uncoated lens, random smudges On an uncoated lens, random smudges or finger prints are scarcely noticedor finger prints are scarcely noticed

nn They are concealed by reflected light!They are concealed by reflected light!

Coated lenses

nn Reveal every glitch and blemish on the Reveal every glitch and blemish on the pristine AR surface pristine AR surface

nn Minor blemishes never noticed before, Minor blemishes never noticed before, suddenly stand out starkly on an AR suddenly stand out starkly on an AR coated lenscoated lens

nn While not a major problem, this While not a major problem, this phenomenon was a minor annoyancephenomenon was a minor annoyance

An answer

nn The top layer on the AR coating is The top layer on the AR coating is quartz (a form of glass)quartz (a form of glass)

nn Quartz is a “hydrophilic” materialQuartz is a “hydrophilic” materialnn This hydrophilic surface allows oily This hydrophilic surface allows oily

smudges from finger prints and other smudges from finger prints and other debris to cling to the AR surfacedebris to cling to the AR surface

A new technology . . .nn permits coating labs to apply a layer permits coating labs to apply a layer

of silicon as a 6th layerof silicon as a 6th layernn This final coating is hydrophobicThis final coating is hydrophobicnn It has no effect on AR properties It has no effect on AR properties

and light transmission remains and light transmission remains 99.5%99.5%

nn This final hydrophobic layer repels This final hydrophobic layer repels oils and makes the lens antioils and makes the lens anti--staticstatic

Most coating labs

nn provide this silicon treatmentprovide this silicon treatmentnn Many have coined their own trade Many have coined their own trade

name for the treatmentname for the treatmentnn Ask for a “hydrophobic” AR coatingAsk for a “hydrophobic” AR coating

The time factor

nn Application of the AR treatment Application of the AR treatment requires careful, timerequires careful, time--consuming consuming processingprocessing

nn It also requires highly specialized It also requires highly specialized equipmentequipment

nn The equipment investment runs close to The equipment investment runs close to a million dollarsa million dollars

Coating labs

nn are running two and sometimes three are running two and sometimes three shifts to expedite application of AR shifts to expedite application of AR coatingscoatings

nn Progressive labs have cut the added time Progressive labs have cut the added time required for AR coatings to a minimumrequired for AR coatings to a minimum

If you . . .

nn Properly explain the AR storyProperly explain the AR storynn You’ll find patients are more than You’ll find patients are more than

willing to wait a little longer for this willing to wait a little longer for this modern technologymodern technology

nn Once they understand these are the Once they understand these are the finest, most modern lenses possible, finest, most modern lenses possible, time becomes much less importanttime becomes much less important

An important competitive factor

nn Most commercial chains are avoiding Most commercial chains are avoiding offering AR coatings to their customersoffering AR coatings to their customers

nn AR coatings do not lend themselves to AR coatings do not lend themselves to providing glasses “in about an hour”providing glasses “in about an hour”

nn This has, effectively, given the AR This has, effectively, given the AR market to private practitionersmarket to private practitioners

Take advantage of this

competitive advantage !

A new developmentnn Recently many lens manufacturers have Recently many lens manufacturers have

added AR coated stock lenses to their added AR coated stock lenses to their lineline

nn This is a marvelous convenience for This is a marvelous convenience for everyoneeveryone

nn It means that single vision AR lenses can It means that single vision AR lenses can often be provided with the same turnoften be provided with the same turn--around time as conventional lensesaround time as conventional lenses

AR factory-coated stock lenses

nn are now available in conventional are now available in conventional CRCR--3939

nn and high index plasticand high index plasticnn and now in polycarbonateand now in polycarbonate

Edging AR coated lenses

nn requires no special equipmentrequires no special equipmentnn Provide careful handling to guard Provide careful handling to guard

against scratchesagainst scratchesnn AR coated stock lenses are responsible AR coated stock lenses are responsible

for most of the recent swell in AR for most of the recent swell in AR usageusage

A word of caution

nn Never use a factoryNever use a factory--coated stock lens coated stock lens for one eye and send the other lens to a for one eye and send the other lens to a coating labcoating lab

nn A slight color variance will most likely A slight color variance will most likely occuroccur

nn This has no effect on acuity but patients This has no effect on acuity but patients ALWAYSALWAYS notice it and trying to notice it and trying to explain the difference isn’t worth whileexplain the difference isn’t worth while

Those mysterious scratches

nn Where do those Where do those hairline scratches hairline scratches come from that come from that sometimes appear sometimes appear after AR coating?after AR coating?

Normal reflections

nn can mask a multitude of minute surface can mask a multitude of minute surface imperfectionsimperfections

nn Hairlines and blemishes sometimes Hairlines and blemishes sometimes mysteriously appear after AR coatingmysteriously appear after AR coating

nn The AR coating removes every The AR coating removes every reflection and minor blemishes that reflection and minor blemishes that were unnoticed before, suddenly stand were unnoticed before, suddenly stand outout

Laboratories

nn have learned to take extra care and have learned to take extra care and precautions in surfacing, polishing and precautions in surfacing, polishing and finishing lenses that will be AR coatedfinishing lenses that will be AR coated

nn A lens with a perfect finish produces a A lens with a perfect finish produces a perfect AR coatingperfect AR coating

nn Careless handling prior to coating Careless handling prior to coating inevitably shows up once the lens is inevitably shows up once the lens is coatedcoated

Here are some helpful tips for use when dispensing AR

lenses

Tinting

nn When tinted lenses are to be AR coated, When tinted lenses are to be AR coated, tint them 10 tint them 10 -- 15% darker than the final 15% darker than the final shadeshade

nn Then bleach them back to 5% darker than Then bleach them back to 5% darker than the final desired shadethe final desired shade

nn This removes surface dye so you end up This removes surface dye so you end up with coated lenses that are the desired with coated lenses that are the desired shadeshade

UV dying

nn Improper UV dying can be disastrous to Improper UV dying can be disastrous to an AR coatingan AR coating

nn Maintain accurate dye temperature of Maintain accurate dye temperature of 180 180 -- 183° F183° F

nn Never overcook or boil the dyeNever overcook or boil the dye

More on dying

nn If lenses have no scratch coating, never If lenses have no scratch coating, never dye them for more than 10 minutesdye them for more than 10 minutes

nn Ask your lab to recommend the best Ask your lab to recommend the best UV dyeUV dye

Lens Treatments

nn All color and UV tinting, edge All color and UV tinting, edge polishing, engraving and faceting polishing, engraving and faceting should be completed before lenses should be completed before lenses are sent to the AR labare sent to the AR lab

nn Decorative painting, grooving or Decorative painting, grooving or edge painting can be accomplished edge painting can be accomplished after the lenses are coatedafter the lenses are coated

Avoiding problems

nn AR coating facilities need to know AR coating facilities need to know what they are dealing with when they what they are dealing with when they coat lensescoat lenses

nn Here are some tips that can eliminate a Here are some tips that can eliminate a lot of potential problems before they lot of potential problems before they occuroccur

Identification

nn Coating labs often receive lenses with no Coating labs often receive lenses with no identification of material or scratch identification of material or scratch coatingcoating

nn To avoid coatings that peel, craze or rub To avoid coatings that peel, craze or rub off requires the coater to know what they off requires the coater to know what they are dealing withare dealing with

nn The index of refraction of AR coatings The index of refraction of AR coatings must match the lens index must match the lens index

Coaters need to know

nn if the lens was factory scratch coated if the lens was factory scratch coated and, if so, the brand of the lensand, if so, the brand of the lens

nn They need to know if the lens has been They need to know if the lens has been UV dyedUV dyed

nn If the lenses are laminated (polarized), If the lenses are laminated (polarized), they need to knowthey need to know

More advice

nn Always send full pairs to the coating Always send full pairs to the coating lab, even if just one lens needs coatinglab, even if just one lens needs coating

nn Most coating facilities will strip the Most coating facilities will strip the coating from the old lens and recoat coating from the old lens and recoat both lenses togetherboth lenses together

More advice

nn This insures an exact color matchThis insures an exact color matchnn If lenses are to be tinted, do not mix a If lenses are to be tinted, do not mix a

stock lens with a surfaced lensstock lens with a surfaced lensnn Always wrap lenses in tissue or insert in Always wrap lenses in tissue or insert in

a poly bag. Paper envelopes will scratch a poly bag. Paper envelopes will scratch the lensesthe lenses

Cleaning Do’s & Don’ts

nn Use soap and water for cleaning lensesUse soap and water for cleaning lensesnn Avoid soaps with creams that leave Avoid soaps with creams that leave

deposits on lensesdeposits on lensesnn Never use abrasive soapsNever use abrasive soaps

More

nn Best cleaner is Joy liquid detergent Best cleaner is Joy liquid detergent which has no additiveswhich has no additives

nn Avoid Windex, acetone or caustic Avoid Windex, acetone or caustic solutionssolutions

nn Avoid ultrasonic cleanersAvoid ultrasonic cleanersnn Never insert coated lenses in high Never insert coated lenses in high

temperature salt panstemperature salt pans

Conclusion

nn Sooner or later, Sooner or later, every eyeglass wearer every eyeglass wearer will learn about AR coatingswill learn about AR coatings

nn Make sure it is your office that informs Make sure it is your office that informs your patientsyour patients

nn Your patients expect you to keep them Your patients expect you to keep them informed about new developments ininformed about new developments ineyecareeyecare

Lastly

nn Patients want to look good in their new Patients want to look good in their new eyewear but they also want the best eyewear but they also want the best possible visionpossible vision

nn Review Review bothboth benefits of AR (cosmetic benefits of AR (cosmetic and visual) with every patientand visual) with every patient

That completes this discussion of AR

coatings