antiglare

Antiglare refers to surfaces or coatings designed to minimize glare by reducing specular reflections. This improves legibility and reduces eye strain in bright conditions. Commonly used on eyeglass lenses, display screens, windshields, and architectural glass, antiglare treatments aim to diffuse or absorb incident light rather than simply reflect it away.

Two main approaches are used: micro-roughened surfaces (antiglare or glare-reducing coatings) and anti-reflective (AR) coatings. Micro-roughened or matte finishes scatter reflected light, reducing glare while maintaining some surface visibility. AR coatings minimize reflections through constructive/destructive interference across wavelengths, often producing high transmittance but can be more sensitive to angle and wavelength.

Antiglare coatings are applied by chemical deposition, physical vapor deposition, or lamination with specialized films. Common materials include silica-based layers, magnesium fluoride, or polymer films with microtextured surfaces. Durability, scratch resistance, and ease of cleaning are important design considerations, especially for eyewear, touchscreen devices, and automotive glass.

Applications span eyewear, computer monitors and smartphones, televisions, vehicle windshields, architectural glass, and camera lenses. Trade-offs include potential haze, color shifts, or reduced contrast in some lighting, and greater sensitivity to cleaning methods. AR coatings, by contrast, aim for higher transmittance with minimal color or haze but may be more expensive and less robust under abrasion.

History and development began in the mid-20th century for photography and later expanded to displays and eyewear. Ongoing research focuses on durable, abrasion-resistant, and environmentally friendly formulations that preserve optical performance across temperatures and angles.