4 MIN. READ

Key takeaways:

• Lens coatings can improve comfort and make your eyeglasses more durable.
• However, adding coatings to your lenses usually means paying more out of pocket.
• We break down common coatings, costs and how vision plans help you save on these add-ons.

Do you really need lens upgrades when getting new glasses? Probably.

Lens upgrades, applied in the form of coatings, can make your glasses more durable and comfortable, without mentioning improving your vision.

However, the more coatings you add, the more you’re likely to spend out of pocket. In this blog, we break down the most common types of coatings, why you might need them and how much you can expect to pay.

How Do Lens Coatings Work?

When you get a pair of glasses, lenses made from optical glass or specialized plastic are custom-made to correct your refractive vision problem.

They can have a concave or convex shape, or even a spherical one, to treat astigmatism. Some products combine different lens powers to treat presbyopia (known as bifocal, trifocal or progressive lenses).

Lens coatings are thin layers of material bonded to the lenses. Depending on the material used, they can help protect your vision, keep the lenses clear or simply make wearing glasses more comfortable.

What Are the Most Common Types of Lens Coatings?

Optometrists often recommend anti-scratch coatings, along with anti-reflective and UV protection add-ons.

Here are the most common types of lens coatings your optometrist might recommend.

Anti-Reflective or Anti-Glare Coating

When light hits your glasses, it bounces off and can create an uncomfortable glare. Besides causing headaches, this can lead to a halo or blind spot effect that restricts your vision, which is an issue when driving.

Scratch-Resistant Coating

Perhaps the most common type of lens coating, scratch-resistant materials protect the lens surface from damage. It’s important because a scratched lens can distort light and interfere with your prescription.

Anti-Smudge Coating (Hydrophobic and Oleophobic Coatings)

Anti-smudge materials cause water and oil to roll off the lens. It’s a convenient lens upgrade that makes cleaning easier.

Anti-Static Coating

A static charge can build up on your lenses and cause small particles to cling to them. Anti-static coating solves this problem.

Blue Light Coating

A blue light coating is a great add-on if you spend a lot of time on screens. With this coating, your glasses can stop some of the blue light from screens from reaching your eyes.

In itself, blue light isn’t necessarily dangerous, but excessive exposure can cause eye strain. It can also disrupt sleep patterns if you use screens before bed.

UV Protection

Over time, exposure to UV rays can increase your risk of developing cataracts and other eye health conditions. With a UV-protective coating, your glasses can filter out UVA and UVB rays. Look for a UV400 coating for the most protection.

Anti-Fog Coating

This material absorbs water and disperses it across the lens so that fog doesn’t form on your glasses. It’s ideal if you wear a mask at work.

How Much Do Lens Coatings Cost?

Prices usually start at around $20 per lens per coating, but they can go all the way up to $100 or more for a premium coating. Anti-reflective and anti-glare coatings tend to be the most expensive options. Because you have to pay for each coating, the total costs can quickly add up.

When you go to the optometrist, you’ll get a prescription for the type of vision correction you need, as well as some recommendations for coatings.

The coatings are applied at the lab that manufactures your glasses, which means pricing can vary from one lab to another for these add-ons.

Does Vision Insurance in Oklahoma Help You Save on Coatings for Eyeglass Lenses?

If you have vision insurance in Oklahoma, your costs will likely vary based on the plan you have:

• Some plans have a materials allowance for your eyeglasses. If this allowance only covers the frame and lenses, you’ll pay for coatings out of pocket.
• Your plan may have coverage for some coatings. For instance, it might cover 100% of the cost of getting anti-reflective, UV and anti-scratching add-ons, but only cover 40% of a blue light coating.
• Some vision plans use a co-pay structure. For instance, you might pay $40 out of pocket per coating, and your plan will cover the rest.

Before heading to the optometrist, review what kind of coating your vision plan covers. Keep in mind that coverage can vary from one add-on to another, so you might get coverage for common add-ons and pay out of pocket for others.

Note that a good vision plan with a materials allowance will help you save on the frame and lenses. It’s well worth it to pay out of pocket for a few add-ons that will improve comfort and make the lenses more durable.

Save on Eyeglasses With Unity Vision

Unity Vision offers flexible vision plans designed to help you save on your next pair of eyeglasses.

With a transparent plan structure, it’s easy to understand what your out-of-pocket costs are before you even go to the optometrist, and you can pick from different plans based on your unique budget and needs.

Plus, with excellent customer service and access to one of the largest networks of optometrists in Oklahoma, our plans are easy to use.

Learn more about our vision plans here.

FAQ

Do I really need lens upgrades when buying glasses?

Not always, but most people benefit from at least a few basic coatings. Options like anti-reflective and UV protection improve comfort, reduce glare and protect your eyes over time.

How much do lens coatings cost in 2026?

Most coatings range from about $20 to $100 or more per lens. Premium options tend to cost more. Since each coating is priced separately, costs can add up quickly.

Does vision insurance cover lens upgrades?

It depends on your plan. Some plans only cover frames and basic lenses, while others fully or partially cover certain coatings. Copay-based plans may offer fixed pricing per upgrade.

Which lens coatings are usually covered by insurance?

Common coatings like anti-reflective, scratch-resistant, and UV protection are more likely to be covered or discounted. Add-ons like blue light filtering or anti-fog coatings may have limited coverage.