When would doctors recommend anti-glare lenses?

Doctor's Answers 3

Glare refers to the difficulty in seeing, in the presence of bright light. This bright light can either be:

  • direct - shining straight through a spectacle lens
  • indirect - light reflecting off the spectacle lens.

As such, glare can be reduced in several different ways. It can be reduced simply by having a tint (or polarizing filter) in the spectacle lens which cuts down on light passing through the lens. Apart from that, you can have a special anti-reflective coating that reduces light bouncing off the lens into the eye.

As you can see, calling a lens 'anti-glare' could possibly have different meanings.

I personally think that if a person will be wearing a particular pair of spectacles most of the time, it is helpful to have an anti-reflective coating on the lens. This will help whenever you are in a situation where there is a bright light shining from behind you, whether this is from artificial light or an open window.

With respect to tints, this is a very individual decision and has to be balanced with the usual environments the glasses are usually worn in. Too dark, and it gets difficult to see when the lights are out. Most of the time, tints are not necessary.

A special case would be 'Transitions' glasses which turn dark in bright light-these can add convenience in removing the need to have separate pairs of sunglasses.

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Dr E-Shawn Goh

Ophthalmologist

Anti-glare lenses are commonly used by patients who are sensitive to glare. They may be used by individuals if they find that using anti-glare lenses improves their comfort whilst working for long periods of time on devices with screens, such as a smartphone, computer, television etc.

Anti-glare lenses are also useful when you are driving at night or performing outdoor activities when reflected light (off of a lake's surface, for example) can cause significant glare symptoms. Whilst indoors, they are also useful as it improves eye contact with other individuals as they are able to see your eyes behind your glasses.

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Dr Harold Choi

Ophthalmologist

Anti-glare glasses are useful for people who spend a lot of time on:

  • computer,
  • outdoors under the sun and
  • whose pupils are big - people who use atropine eye drops, or have had recent eye surgery.

An anti-glare glass helps when there is light shining from behind. This is especially useful when you are driving at night when headlights shine into your car.

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