Glass lenses 101

[2020texan]

It's not common we use glass in patients glasses in our office. I recently had a gentleman that came in requesting glass to make rx sunglasses with his rayban frame. So we did SV Glass in Grey 3 non polarized. When we got them back he was very unhappy with the cleaning part of it. The back of the lenses have what looks like a coating, gives a blue reflection, the way an AR coating looks. It smudges like crazy and even I had a hard time trying to get them clean. Can someone give me a run through on dealing with glass, does this sound like a normal glass job or any tips or information you can give, how they treat, what coatings if any they do etc. I'm no expert on glass (yet) just don't use it very often so haven't had opportunity to learn all the in's and out's. Thanks!

[lensmanmd]

Most likely this was tinted via vacuum coating like an AR. This is the only way to get a uniform tint on glass.
To avoid this, I would recommend a polarized G3.

[Quince]

We avoid glass as much as possible as well. I would contact the lab's customer service. If they are the helpful type, they will be able to give you the best information on what to expect from your request.

[Tallboy]

Uggh color coated "tint" glass lenses are the WORST.

[bta89]

I've got a pair of polarized glass lens in a RB 4075 and absolutely love them. I don't have any trouble cleaning them like you are having. Maybe the lab accidentally put an AR on the lens, it can happen sometimes.

[Tallboy]

I've got a pair of polarized glass lens in a RB 4075 and absolutely love them. I don't have any trouble cleaning them like you are having. Maybe the lab accidentally put an AR on the lens, it can happen sometimes.

They dont have the vacuum tint film on them like OP's

[Chris Ryser]

Uggh color coated "tint" glass lenses are the WORST.

Actually these were the first vacuum coated lenses in Europe in the 1950s-60s, and were the most revolutionary thing in Rx sunglasses, because they had an even tint all over the lens, and not a lighter tint wherever the lens thickness differed from the rest.

The first coatings were done in Milan alone for the first few years.

[rbaker]

Actually these were the first vacuum coated lenses in Europe in the 1950s-60s, and were the most revolutionary thing in Rx sunglasses, because they had an even tint all over the lens, and not a lighter tint wherever the lens thickness differed from the rest.

In the early sixties, when glass represented 99% of the spectacle lenses sold coatings were used on lenses with powers greater than 2.00D. We sold thousands of them and I can't recall any complaints. My thoughts are that perhaps the vacuum coating process and materials are not the same as the coatings used on today polymer lenses.

We used to use National Lens Coating but could could try these guy:

North American Coating Laboratories
9450 Pineneedle Dr. Mentor, OH 44060
Toll-Free: (866) 216-6225
Tel: (440) 357-7000
Fax: (440) 357-7001
Email: info@nacl.com

[2020texan]

Thanks all for the info. Lab is to be contacting me and we'll go from there. Patient does NOT want polarized, so that recommendation is out. Unfortunately I do not have the option to reach out to other labs for handling jobs we have to go through our lab only.