How to stop reflections in eye glasses

[Red Squirrel]

I've always had an issue with eye glasses where any source of light behind me reflects through the glasses, and it's VERY annoying. Just got new glasses and it's 10 times worse. Problem is most eye glasses are too straight and don't curve with the head, so they stick out on both sides capturing any light that is behind me.

I've tried all sorts of anti glares, none of them work. I have to pay like 80 bucks each time I want to try something new as it requires new lenses. Figured it would just be a film or spray but I guess not. Is there something I can do myself to stop this? Some kind of AG coating like they put on monitors perhaps? I can try it on my old pair first.

I've thought of going contacts but my eyes are just too sensitive. Just the thought of putting something directly on them makes my eyes water. I cannot put my fingers close or do anything near my eyes without them watering.

I'd like to go for laser eye surgery some day but I'm just too chicken. If I could be put asleep for it maybe I'd do it but you can't be asleep for that as you need to be able to focus to the light or what not. I also wonder how well laser eye surgery would last for me as my eyes are going to crap at an alarming rate. Every 2 years I need a stronger prescription. Maybe as I get older it will slow down then I can consider laser surgery.

 

[blackangst1]

Do you have rimless frames? Half rimless? Or full frames?

 

[Red Squirrel]

My old ones had rims all around, these are half rimless.

 

[blackangst1]

Half rimless *can* pose a problem, as you have untreated glass exposed around the bottom edges (untreated meaning no AR coating). You have to make sure and NOT get your edges polished (which, interestingly enough, most people do). If you DID get them polished, take them back in and have the edges buffed. Polished edges may look better up close, but in reality they act like a prism.

Now, as far as the lenses are concerned, Ive used just about every lens on the market, and Ive found either the Crizal Alize (or the Forte, if you can find it) to be the best for single vision, and Verilux (same company different brand) for progressives to be the best. You pay a premium for it, but its definately worth it. Ive worn Verilux for 3 years now and I can honestly say glare doesnt bother me at all.

 

[PsiStar]

I have worn glasses since I was 2 1/2 & understand your complaint. Laser plus eye surgery for correcting some eye muscle issues are my alternative ... NOT! Contacts cannot give the necessary correction.

The last few pair of glasses have been Verilux & are pretty good. There is still some reflection but not like it used to be. I buy all of the options. Since I stopped buying vision insurance, I actually save money and can get what I want.

You must be in your 40s? A typical age range for rapid vision changes ... you are (probably) not going blind. But I have had some friends that went thru this & were pretty scared as some had significant vision changes and in less than 2 years. It is predicted that my eyes will actually get better as I age. Here's hoping.

 

[KillerCharlie]

I'd like to go for laser eye surgery some day but I'm just too chicken.

If small reflections in glasses bother you, do NOT get lasik. I had it done and I am very regretful. I'm not going to get too into it. There are lots of side effects, including those no doctors will tell you about (floater hell), all of which are worse than any side effects of wearing glasses. The actual surgery is painless and no worse than putting in contacts for the first time. I know there are tons of people that love the results (personally know about 20 people), but it affected my life for the worse.

 

[Crono]

I haven't had that problem with my current rimless glasses, though they do have AR coating. I hate the AR coat, though, it scratched up easily when I first got this pair. I really need a new pair soon.

 

[DrPizza]

You can get a new pair of glasses, with anti-glare coatings, for under $20 online.

 

[mmntech]

You can get a new pair of glasses, with anti-glare coatings, for under $20 online.

My only issue with the anti-glare is they do seem to attract every molecule of dirt that comes within a mile of them. You have to clean them more often from my experience. Others have said the same. Though I think it's still worth it.

 

[blackangst1]

My only issue with the anti-glare is they do seem to attract every molecule of dirt that comes within a mile of them. You have to clean them more often from my experience. Others have said the same. Though I think it's still worth it.

Crizal lenses are much, much better about this than lower end AR's

 

[Red Squirrel]

The issue is I HAVE the anti glare, but I still get the reflections. I've tried several different anti glares, each costing $80 as it requires them to make a new lens.

I may look at Crizal. Already paid about 400 bucks for these glasses though.

As for lasik, it leaves lot of artifacts and stuff in the vision then? I never heard of this before. Definitely ruling that out. Another thing I can't stand is when water or any spec gets on my glasses I quickly have to remove it. It's just irritating. So if I get stuff like that, but it's permanent... that would really suck.

I'm 26, my vision started going to crap in my early teens. I'm extremely near sighted. If I take off my glasses I can't read anything on my screen and can barely make out the letters on the keyboard.

 

[Imp]

I've always had an issue with eye glasses where any source of light behind me reflects through the glasses, and it's VERY annoying. Just got new glasses and it's 10 times worse. Problem is most eye glasses are too straight and don't curve with the head, so they stick out on both sides capturing any light that is behind me.

And there you have it, you just figured out the problem yourself. I went to buy new sunglasses 2 years ago, and I was such a little bitch about it. Returned like 4 pairs before settling on two (I felt bad for returning so much) because all the other pairs reflected light from the back, or the space between the lenses was too wide, letting the sun in the front.

I wear glasses at home and contacts outside. I've gotten used to jabbing my eye after wearing contacts for years, so I prefer them. Lasik is a bit creepy even if it'd be good to be free from eyewear.

My glasses are comfortable at home, but I've walked outside on sunny days a few times before with them on. Holy shit. Even with an anti-reflective coating, every effing glare gets reflected. The worst is the sun gets reflected all the time too. Anti-reflective coatings are good for preventing minor reflections lamps and maybe the sun from getting reflected, they do shit for very bright lights.

Only solution I can think of is to get glasses with a base-curve of 8, which may make you look retarded... Even base-curve 6 reflects too much. You can get a less wide, smaller lens too, but then you have no peripheral vision. Grow your hair out long so it blocks the sides?

And holy shit, you're only 26?

 

[Red Squirrel]

Yeah returning and trying different pairs is not really an option for prescriptions. 300 bucks a pop give or take. It's not like they can go to someone else, they're made specifically for my eyes. Sadly they don't seem to make any that have a good enough curve, and going with smaller lenses is also a whole other issue (loss of vision angle).

Maybe I should give contacts a try at least... but I have a feeling they would not work for me. Growing hair longer and thicker could maybe help.

 

[blackangst1]

Yeah returning and trying different pairs is not really an option for prescriptions. 300 bucks a pop give or take. It's not like they can go to someone else, they're made specifically for my eyes. Sadly they don't seem to make any that have a good enough curve, and going with smaller lenses is also a whole other issue (loss of vision angle).

Maybe I should give contacts a try at least... but I have a feeling they would not work for me. Growing hair longer and thicker could maybe help.

You need to find a different provider. I tried a different lens a couple of years ago, and the progressive was absolutely horrid. I took them back and they reordered in a different lens. These were $600 lenses. If you arent happy, most lens providers will remake lenses for free.

My sunglasses are the Oakley Whisker which are a semi-wraparound, and they were made with Verilux lenses. So you *can* get some rounded type lenses.

 

[richardycc]

you can't just buy cheap lenses then add the AR coating and be happy with it. you have to get a brand name (nikon, seiko, Zeiss, etc) high index lenses in the $400+ price range. most of these expensive lenses already come with the AR coating, but they are so much thinner and clearer like there are no lenses.

 

[xSauronx]

And holy shit, you're only 26?

reminds me of my gf. shes 32 and has been legally blind for years. contacts work for her though, and improves her vision to better than 20/20. she does hate her glasses though...

 

[Imp]

Yeah returning and trying different pairs is not really an option for prescriptions. 300 bucks a pop give or take. It's not like they can go to someone else, they're made specifically for my eyes. Sadly they don't seem to make any that have a good enough curve, and going with smaller lenses is also a whole other issue (loss of vision angle).

Maybe I should give contacts a try at least... but I have a feeling they would not work for me. Growing hair longer and thicker could maybe help.

It took a few months to get used to my lenses. I think I first tired them in grade 9 though. I gave up on them after a year (fashion choice), then went back around age 21-ish.

Otherwise if your eyes aren't too bad (less than +/-2.00?), you may be able to glasses with a base curve of 8. Look to sunglass frames for something that curved. Higher base curves usually mean a lower possible prescription that can be fit into the frames without distorting stuff.

Check out Maui Jim. Ray Bans are more "classic" and they may look better as glasses (lot of Wayfarer style glasses these days), but many of their classic frames are base curve 6. If I remember right, Aviators (R3025 model et al) are BC=6, which is pretty flat.

you can't just buy cheap lenses then add the AR coating and be happy with it. you have to get a brand name (nikon, seiko, Zeiss, etc) high index lenses in the $400+ price range. most of these expensive lenses already come with the AR coating, but they are so much thinner and clearer like there are no lenses.

Not sure about that. I had $300+ Nikon high-index lenses and the AR wasn't much better. High index lenses (thinner ones) actually reflect more light, so AR coating is practically essential. I cheaped out and tried going AR-less on my Nikons and in my fairly dim room, everything was reflecting off the walls.

 

[NoReMoRsE]

I have the same problem -- no matter if I choose full frames or half-rim frames, I add the antiglare coating but it does nothing. I take off my glasses for pictures.

 

[Cheesemoo]

Half rimless *can* pose a problem, as you have untreated glass exposed around the bottom edges (untreated meaning no AR coating). You have to make sure and NOT get your edges polished (which, interestingly enough, most people do). If you DID get them polished, take them back in and have the edges buffed. Polished edges may look better up close, but in reality they act like a prism.

Now, as far as the lenses are concerned, Ive used just about every lens on the market, and Ive found either the Crizal Alize (or the Forte, if you can find it) to be the best for single vision, and Verilux (same company different brand) for progressives to be the best. You pay a premium for it, but its definately worth it. Ive worn Verilux for 3 years now and I can honestly say glare doesnt bother me at all.

I agree, and Crizal Alize is the best AR/AS coating out there. No complaints. Been using for about 7 years and 4 pairs of glasses.

 

[Stoic114]

i know this is an old post but i had to reply. i have tried the best ARs. Saphire wiht Eyezen lenses, blutech with hoya premium coating. and those that are just saying get a Crizal coating or better coating. no nothing of what we are experiencing. Then i tried a Zinni 80 percent yellow tint with there shitty AR and what a difference the tint made. I think for me it is the tint. my eyes can not take whatever is being reflected back from a clear lens that close to me. Even with the 80 percent yellow i am still getting reflection of something my eyes hate to a far lesser degree. especially in an artificial light scenario. that is when i have the worst experience.

i will post on how the orange tint does. Here is the sample i sent in: https://www.amazon.com/Uvex-S0360X-...rd_wg=Xt9gZ&psc=1&refRID=JADN0CDEK7VTMH72R1JB