What is the Difference Between Glare and Anti Glare?

The main difference between glare and anti-glare lies in their effects on visible light. Glare refers to the excessive brightness caused by direct or reflected light, which can make it difficult to see or be uncomfortable for the eyes. Anti-glare, on the other hand, refers to the reduction of glare through the use of specialized coatings or treatments on surfaces like glass or plastic.

There are two types of anti-glare coatings: anti-glare lenses and anti-reflective lenses:

Anti-Glare Lenses: These lenses are designed to reduce glare reflecting off the lenses from bright lights, reflections, and harsh indoor or outdoor lighting conditions. They improve contrast, reduce eyestrain, and provide clearer vision by allowing more light to pass through the lenses.
Anti-Reflective Lenses: Also known as anti-reflection or AR lenses, these lenses go a step further than anti-glare lenses by reducing reflections on the lens surface from both the front and back. They virtually eliminate reflections, allowing 99.5% of light to reach the eyes, compared to 92% without the coating.

The key difference between anti-glare and anti-reflective coatings is that anti-glare lenses protect against external light sources entering the glasses, while anti-reflective coatings protect against both internal and external light sources. Anti-glare coatings are typically visible to the human eye, while anti-reflective coatings are essentially invisible. Overall, anti-reflective lenses are considered more effective and safer than anti-glare lenses.