How to remove anti-reflective coating from glasses lenses?

Anti-reflex (or anti-reflective) coating effectively eliminates glare from glasses, providing visual comfort and improving image clarity. This is indispensable, for example, for driving glasses, sports glasses, and computer glasses. However, such lenses are quite sensitive to mechanical stress and are prone to scratches.

You can remove the anti-reflective coating using improvised means – GOI paste or hydrofluoric acid, or toothpaste, as well as mechanical grinding with a special cloth or tool.

Can I remove the anti-reflective coating myself?

If scratches or defects appear, the lenses must be replaced. However, you can “fix” the glass yourself at home. The most effective method for eliminating defects over a wide area is complete removal of the anti-reflective layer.

Important! In this case, all its protective properties are lost.

Experts in the field of ophthalmology do not recommend subjecting glasses with diopters to such manipulations.

Important! The process leads to a major change in the internal optical structure and geometry of the lenses. With further use of such glasses, fatigue, overstrain of the pupils, headaches, and blurred vision occur.

What to delete?

To remove the anti-reflective coating use:

• Products containing abrasive components (GOI paste, toothpaste), hydrofluoric acid. By the way, the latter cannot be used for glass lenses, because it corrodes them and can completely ruin them.
• Mechanical methods: polishing using a drill, electric razor, grinder.

For best results combine different methods.

Important! Many of the chemicals used to remove layers are highly toxic, so when working with them you need to be extremely careful and use a protective mask and gloves.

How to delete? Action algorithm

We always start by cleaning the glasses from dirt and dust. GOI paste is excellent for grinding glass lenses. When using toothpaste with abrasive particles, you will need to put in more time and effort, since it is quite gentle.

When using hydrofluoric acid, remove the glass from the frame, as there is a high risk of damage. Apply the product to the surface and place it in a container for a few minutes. After this, rinse thoroughly with water and dry with a soft, lint-free cloth.

There are also mechanical methods of influence. The top layer of the lens can be removed using:

• a grinding apparatus wrapped in foam rubber or felt;
• an electric razor with a soft cloth instead of a foil (you can attach it, for example, using a thread).

A cleaning composition is applied to the cloth and the lenses are polished with the device until transparent.

What do you need to know?

Care and careful handling will help keep your glasses new for a long time. Important:

• follow manufacturers' recommendations;
• use the accessory only for its intended purpose;
• do not expose to shock or extreme temperatures;
• store in a case;
• clean regularly.

If defects occur, you can try to get rid of them yourself or seek the help of professionals. But remember that with deep damage and disruption of the structure of the lenses, their functional and useful properties are lost, which directly affects the health of the eyes.