Everything you need to know the anti-scratch treatment

Regardless of the type of glasses, there are a number of possible lens options that can make them more comfortable to wear. The anti-scratch treatment is of particular importance as it can benefit everyone, regardless of the type of lens the glasses are correcting, the material or the frame colour. Here is everything you need to know about this treatment, also known as “Hard coating”.

The material

The material is the basic characteristic of the lenses. There are 3 options for the material selection:

Polycarbonate : It is a synthetic material that is the lightest and most impact resistant. For this reason, it is often used for children's glasses or as part of sports activities. It offers protection from ultraviolet rays. However, the surface is softer and more scratchable than other materials.
Mineral Glass : This method was traditionally used to manufacture eyeglass lenses before the possibilities of modern chemistry. Based on quartz, lime and potash, it offers excellent optical quality and an extremely scratch-resistant surface. Mineral glasses are more fragile and heavier, which makes them riskier to wear.
Organic Glass : This is the material used for most prescription lenses. The cost of production is lower than that of mineral glass, and today there is a very high quality. The glasses are light, very transparent and offer different color options. At Visionet, this is the material we use for your glasses, unless you have a different preference or your ophthalmologist prescribes a different lens material.

The causes of scratches on glasses

Sometimes, after regular or occasional inspections of the glasses, it is found that the lenses are scratched. The more you take care of your glasses and use certain cleaning procedures, the better the chances that your glasses won't scratch and that you can enjoy them for years to come. Here is a list of the most common causes of scratches on your glasses:

Eyeglass lenses are usually not made out of real glass. As mentioned in the previous section, the vast majority of glasses are made from a material that isn't actually 100% glass. These materials - like the organic glass we use - are hard-wearing and very durable. However, their disadvantage is that organic glasses can scratch faster than other materials.
Dust particles, bacteria and dust mites can settle on the glasses. Now when you use your sweater or a tea towel to clean, you rub the mites and dust against the glasses, which can leave small scratches. Under no circumstances should you use baking soda or toothpaste to repair the scratched glasses as these substances have grainy textures.
Handkerchiefs and similar. Also handkerchiefs or toilet paper should not be used as the paper is harder than it appears at first glance and can leave micro-scratches on the glasses.
Household cleaners.Many household cleaners (such as glass cleaners) that some people mistakenly use to clean their lenses remove the protective layer and some finishings. Once the protective layer has dissolved, there is an increased risk that the glasses will scratch faster.

Anti-scratch treatment: an essential and effective solution against scratches

Glasses are inherently fragile and can be scratched. The everyday life has a major impact and several factors that can damage the lenses. For example, sporting activities or the friction of dust during cleaning can lead to long-term scratches, even on organic glasses. Scratches on the lenses of your glasses have two disadvantages:

The first is aesthetic,, scratches make your glasses less attractive.
The second is functional, scratches on your glasses affect the quality of your vision.

By owning glasses that have undergone anti-scratch treatment, you benefit from several advantages:

Visual comfort thanks to the lack of scratches for transparent glass
Stronger glasses thanks to the hardening effect of the anti-scratch treatment
An extension of the life expectancy of your glasses

The anti-scratch treatment process

The scratch-resistant treatment for corrective glasses is done by coating them with a lacquer. With this lacquer, organic glass or polycarbonate is more resistant to scratches and friction of all kinds. The optical quality of the glasses is better preserved and their durability is easier. This hardening lacquer is based on polysiloxane. Thus, the glass to be treated is soaked in a tank. And this immersion is controlled in relation to the final thickness that the glass must be. The refractive index is also taken into account. The paint in the tank should have a temperature of 18 degrees. Finally, the glasses coated with lacquer are placed in the oven for a few hours to allow maximum adhesion of the lacquer.

The technique of dipping in polysiloxane-based varnish is not the only technique used for anti-scratch treatment. Another possibility is to create a hardening layer on the glass by spraying. It is a quartz-based compound that is vaporized. This process is considered to be less efficient than the first because of the risk of clouding the glass.

Note : Glasses that have undergone anti-reflective treatment still have better scratch resistance properties. However, these are two different treatments.

Does the anti-scratch treatment free you from cleaning your glasses? ?

The anti-scratch treatment certainly offers you better visual comfort and effectively protects your glasses from scratches. But you should still be careful with your glasses and clean them regularly. If you clean your glasses properly, you will have a clear view and can extend their life. But a large proportion of those who wear glasses don't know how to do it. This is where the fabrics or sleeves of our clothing are sometimes used. The best solution: Use the microfiber cloths supplied by Visionet for quick and convenient solutions.

You can clean your glasses more thoroughly at home. After washing your hands, clean your glasses with lukewarm water and cleaning liquid with a neutral pH value (you can use a small amount of detergent). Rub with your fingers, rinse and dry with the microfiber cloth. White vinegar is also an excellent eyeglass cleaner when mixed in equal parts with water. You can also visit your optician from time to time to have your glasses cleaned. You benefit from the smooth performance of an ultrasonic cleaner.

If you store your glasses well (especially in the case) the glasses are protected from scratches and the optical quality is preserved.

Other add-ons

In addition to the anti-scratch treatment, you can choose other treatments that will be incorporated into your glasses to improve your comfort.

Anti-reflective treatment : Anti-reflective treatment eliminates parasitic reflections that can annoy you, especially while driving or in front of a screen. As with the anti-scratch treatment, the advantages are both aesthetic and visual: more transparency, perception of contrasts, and protection against glare.
Anti-static treatment : It does not permanently protect your glasses from dirt, but it makes the glass smoother and reduces the adhesion of dust and other dirt. Perfectly united in combination with an anti-reflection treatment. This add on treatment also gives the glass hydrophobic properties, protecting it from water and fingerprints.
Anti-blue light treatment : We are spending more and more time behind screens. Blue light is a wavelength emitted in a special way by LED screens. It can cause dryness and eye strain. Blue light treatment is therefore ideal if you spend a lot of time behind a computer screen or phone.
Photochromic treatment : The photochromic treatment can tint your glasses depending on the UV radiation. This treatment brings a certain visual comfort with it, especially for the transition in the light changes.
Lens Thinning : This treatment helps manage the aesthetic appearance of high correction glasses. Thanks to the thinning, your optician will reduce the thickness of the lenses while maintaining the correct corrective power.