Visual performance and patient preference: a comparison of anti-reflection coated and uncoated spectacle lenses.

BACKGROUND

Anti-reflection (AR) coatings of spectacle lenses are designed to reduce the reflected images often found in uncoated lenses. This study examined the visual impact of a specific AR coating.

METHODS

First, using a survey, it was determined if patients were aware of the AR coating and, if given an identical pair of lenses without the AR coating, which lenses were preferred and why. Second, in the laboratory, changes in visual performance were evaluated when an anti-reflection coating was applied to a lens.

RESULTS

Verbal reports were obtained from 18 patients on both types of lenses. All patients were aware the AR coating reduced unwanted reflections, and many reported reductions in visual problems associated with glare. Within the laboratory, 28 patients were tested on a battery of clinical vision tests. Under normal room illumination, visual acuity, grating-contrast sensitivity, and letter-contrast sensitivity were identical for both coated or uncoated lenses. In a second experiment, the effects of AR coating on contrast sensitivity were examined when subjects viewed a dimly illuminated target while their eye and face were brightly illuminated. Under these conditions, significantly better (a factor of two) contrast sensitivity was observed with AR-coated lenses.

CONCLUSIONS

On the basis of these findings, it is proposed that drivers should wear AR-coated spectacle lenses at night.