Eyewear Care & Ultrasonic Cleaning
Glasses with Anti-Reflective Coating: What to Watch Out for When Cleaning
Anti-reflective coatings are ultra-thin, multi-layer treatments that reduce glare – and are therefore more scratch-sensitive than uncoated glass. Contact-free cleaning is the gentlest method here.
How an anti-reflective coating works
An anti-reflective coating consists of several extremely thin, vapour-deposited layers that reduce light reflections on the lens surface – making lenses appear clearer and your eyes more visible behind them.
Why it's more scratch-sensitive than the base lens
Because these layers are so thin, even the finest particles (dust, dried sweat salts) can cause micro-scratches while wiping that would barely be noticeable on uncoated glass – but leave visible, often bluish-tinted scratch marks on an anti-reflective layer.
Safe, friction-free cleaning
Contact-free ultrasonic cleaning avoids this risk entirely, since nothing rubs against the sensitive coating (see What is an ultrasonic cleaner and how does cavitation work?). For a quick clean in between, the rule is: only ever use a clean, fresh microfibre cloth – never paper towels or clothing.
Author: Moritz Weinert, Gründer NURO Labs · Last updated on 8 September 2026