Seeing In High Def With Crizal Lenses
By Krista on Mar 14, 2007 in Gadgets
Over the last year or so, I’ve noticed that objects in the distance have gotten blurrier. Yes, it’s finally happened - I no longer see at 20/20. So, a few weeks ago, I trekked to the eye doctor and got my first eye exam in ages.
It seems that staring at a computer screen all day isn’t so good for one’s eyes. I have no problems seeing things in front of my face, but driving at night has become more challenging with the glare from headlights and the layer of dirt/smudges on my windshield. But I sucked it up and dealt. It wasn’t that bad.
It turns out that I’m a bit nearsighted, so I opted for a pair of glasses. This past weekend, I picked them up. It wasn’t really a big deal - but then I put them on and felt like I was seeing in high def.
My new glasses have lenses that are made with Crizal technology. They have a full description of the manufacturing process on their website, but as it turns out, they have various coatings applied to actually reduce the glare of night driving. I mean, things are perfectly clear. The streaks and smudges on my windshield no longer bother me. The colors seem to have more depth and everything is sharper. Sure, my vision wasn’t 100% to begin with, but wow. Looking through these lenses makes me wonder why I waited so long to get my eyes checked.
The lenses are also anti-reflective, meaning no matter what angle someone is looking at me they can see my eyes, not their refection. And so far, they seem extremely resistant to scratches.
If you’re in the market for a new pair of glasses any time soon, check out Crizal lenses.
Patricia | May 5, 2007 | Reply
I’m nearsighted with astimatism - very high prescription, & no-line bifocals. I notice no difference at night or any other time with the Crizal lenses. They are just harder to take care of. Can the difference be in the prescription? Are Crizal lenses more beneficial to those with only minor vision problems?
Krista | May 5, 2007 | Reply
I suppose that’s possible. My prescription is extremely minor, but I’m pretty sure it’s the lens not the prescription that cuts the glare. I notice the biggest difference with night driving, which I used to avoid because I couldn’t stand the glare from other car lights. These glasses reduce glare from other cars’ headlights & other bright lights and also seem to blur out the smudges and dirt on my windshield so I don’t notice them as much. Now, I have no problems driving at night.
As a quick experiment, I compared my glasses with my brothers’ (also a minor prescription but without crizal), and his glasses don’t cut the glare, which leads me to believe it’s the lens, not the prescription. That said, I don’t have much experience with other types of lenses, so maybe others do that?
Jarrod | Dec 31, 2007 | Reply
How has the scratch resistance held up? I am considering getting Crizal lenses after having a lot of problems with the generic anti-reflective treatment on my current pair.
karen kellock | May 12, 2008 | Reply
These are the worst lenses I’ve ever had. They look smudged CONTINUOUSLY. I wrote Crizal about this and they admitted that the “anti-reflective” surface unfortunately also means they “seem smudged”. I clean them all day long and they are still smudged.
I recommend you stay away from this false company. It is not true that things are clearer–give it time, you’ll be cleaning them all day long with water and lime. Crizal’s email:
“There is extra cleaning required with anti-reflective lenses, as the smudges and fingerprints will seem to be more prevalent than with a non-coated lens.”
To heck with this–how is this progress?
Krista | May 12, 2008 | Reply
Karen - I haven’t had a problem with smudging and constant cleaning, but then I only need them when driving or reading subtitled movies. I still use the cloth that came with the glasses to clean - no water and lime for me.
maria civetta | May 12, 2008 | Reply
CRIZAL CREATED A DUD in these “anti-reflective” lenses. Their are blogs of disappointment all over the internet.
Crizal lenses are so smudged it’s “like looking through an oil puddle”—so true.
$800 bucks for nothing.
But they said they would take them back, and take off the “anti-reflective” coating which was the biggest mistake the industry ever made.
I’ll update this post when i get them back without the coating.
Krista | May 12, 2008 | Reply
Maria/Karen - I’m perfectly fine with you posting your criticisms on this site. However, I find it incredibly suspicious that you both have the *exact* IP address.
PS - I definitely did not pay $800 for my lenses. I paid around $250 with the frames. So, maybe we have different types?
TH | Jul 8, 2008 | Reply
Mine were great for a month and a half and then the coating started to peel. Optician replaced them today. I am now in the market for a true good lens. $$ is no object - I really need to see.
Anyone aware of a good lens?
Mike | Feb 10, 2009 | Reply
I’m disturbed. Went for new pair of glasses and I selected Crizal lenses after reading their brochure. I was charged $399.00 for the lenses and additional $125.00 to reduce glare and protect against scratching. Their brochure has all of these properties in the lenses when they are manufactured. So why should I have to pay an additional $125.00 at Eye to Eye Vision Center?
John | Apr 14, 2009 | Reply
Well actually I like the Crizal….all you need to do is wash the lense first using water and some mild detergent soap like Joy. then dry the lense …THEN use the crizal cloth to remove and lingering drops or dust. I do it almost everyday and have no probelms with the lenses. I just got a new pair of Prodesign Denmark frames with Crizal lenses and really have not had a problem at all. Remember to clean em first though you don’t want that grease to get on the polishing cloth. Then you will just smear constantly.
Nick | May 11, 2009 | Reply
I just recently realized my eyes weren’t as good as I thought they were. I too, have been sitting in front of computers too long and am now slightly nearsighted. I decided to get some glasses so I can read the road signs better and for in-office use. Since I have never had glasses before and wanted to get an all-in-one solution, I opted for the Transition lenses with a Crizal coating. I feel like I am now seeing things in HD as well. However, I don’t think it is the Crizal, but the fact that my vision is now better than 20/20. I do notice reduced glare from the Crizal. Also, mine do not seem to smudge that much. Maybe because I don’t touch the lenses. If you don’t touch them, they can’t smudge. So for all you complainers… stop touching your lenses. Also, I got flexon frames that bend and a magnetic polarized clip on and the total was $300.