Is Anti-Reflective Coating on Sunglasses Necessary?

Short answer: Anti-reflective (AR) coating on sunglasses isn’t mandatory, but for anyone who spends time outdoors, drives regularly or values optical clarity, it makes a noticeable difference in comfort and vision.

Anti-reflective back coatings reduce internal glare caused by light reflecting off the inner surface of sunglass lenses. Without it, even premium sunglasses can suffer from reduced clarity, eye strain, and distracting reflections.

What Does Anti-Reflective Coating Do?

Anti-reflective coating is applied to the back surface of sunglass lenses to minimise glare that reflects into your eyes from behind and around you.

Without AR coating, wearers often experience:

• reduced visual sharpness
• eye fatigue or headaches
• distracting reflections inside the lens
• difficulty seeing in bright or high-contrast environments

This effect is especially noticeable in strong sunlight, while driving, or when light hits the lens from the side.

Do Sunglasses Really Need Anti-Reflective Coating?

No, but high-quality sunglasses perform significantly better with it.

Basic sunglasses may block UV light, but without anti-reflective coating, reflected light can still enter the eye from behind the lens. This reduces comfort and can cause eye strain over long periods.

For people who wear sunglasses occasionally, AR coating may not feel essential. For daily wearers, it often becomes non-negotiable once experienced.

Who Benefits Most from Anti-Reflective Coating?

Anti-reflective coating is particularly beneficial for:

• drivers and commuters
• people who work outdoors
• boaters, sailors and fishermen
• hikers and skiers
• anyone sensitive to glare or eye fatigue

If you’ve ever noticed reflections on the inside of your sunglasses, AR coating is designed to eliminate exactly that.

What Are the Disadvantages of Anti-Reflective Coating?

There are very few downsides when AR coating is done correctly.

Lower-quality coatings can:

• smudge more easily
• wear off over time
• cause unwanted colour reflections

Premium coatings, however, include hydrophobic and scratch-resistant layers that largely eliminate these issues.

Which Is Better: Polarised or Anti-Reflective?

This is a common question, but it’s not an either-or decision.

Polarised lenses reduce horizontal glare from surfaces like water, roads and snow.

Anti-reflective coating reduces internal reflections and improves clarity.

The best sunglasses use both. Polarisation manages external glare, while AR coating improves visual comfort and sharpness.

Why AM Eyewear Uses Gold Anti-Reflective Coating

AM Eyewear has spent over 20 years in optical design, working closely with advanced lens manufacturers.

Many AM Eyewear sunglasses feature high-quality lens systems with a gold anti-reflective back coating, utilising Carl Zeiss lenses across select styles. This coating is chosen for its ability to reduce internal glare while maintaining excellent colour accuracy.

Gold anti-reflective coatings are designed to help manage blue and violet light reflections while allowing natural light transmission, resulting in:

• reduced glare
• less eye strain
• sharper vision
• more natural colour perception

It also adds a subtle premium aesthetic that reflects the quality of the lens technology itself.

Final Verdict

Anti-reflective coating on sunglasses isn’t strictly necessary, but for anyone who values comfort, clarity and optical performance, it’s one of the most important lens upgrades available.

AM Eyewear sunglasses are engineered as optical products first and fashion accessories second. Our sunglasses reflect decades of optical expertise, with ZEISS gold-coated lenses featured across select styles, making them some of the most advanced sunglasses available in Australia.