When you get a new pair of eyeglasses, you have a lot of decisions to make. You'll need to choose a frame, and pick a type of lens that suits you, like one that darkens when you go into bright light. However, one of the questions that often leaves patients stumped is the notion of lens coatings. If you've ever said no to having your lenses coated to prevent UV radiation, blue light, or damage to your glasses themselves, you might be surprised to learn that it could cost you in the long run. Here's why you should think twice before saying no. 

Risk of Damage

One of the most helpful coatings a person can have on their eyeglasses is an anti-scratch coating. This coating is completely clear but acts as a thin layer shield between the outside world and your lenses. When something scratches the surface of your lens, the coating gets scratched instead. It won't protect lenses from endless scratches, but in those rare instances where you drop your glasses or accidentally scrape them with something rough while trying to clean them, you'll be glad you have this coating. It could help to prevent you from needing to buy an all-new pair of lenses.

Short-Term Vision Costs

Your glasses aren't the only thing that could end up racking up a bill for you without lens coatings. If your eyes are damaged without coatings on your lenses, that could mean needing to come back to the eye doctor more often than you would without them.

Eyeglasses coatings often protect your eyes against UV radiation. UV radiation can, of course, cause skin damage, but it can also literally burn your eyes. It's called an eye sunburn, and it's painful and itchy. While most people recover from this condition just fine, if you develop it, you'll likely want to visit your eye doctor to prevent a secondary infection or to ease your itchiness.

Long-Term Costs

Lastly, you could end up spending a lot more money in the long run and having far more problems with your eyes than someone who gets a blue light filtering coating.

Most people are bombarded with blue light constantly these days, as it's emitted by all computer and phone screens. While blue light tends to only make eyes feel tired in the short-term, in the long run, it's a leading cause for macular degeneration. Unfortunately, macular degeneration is a condition that can lead to partial or complete blindness. Treating a condition like this will not only mean lots of eye doctor visits, but it could rob you of something important to you.

Getting these lens coatings is often covered by vision insurance providers, so you won't necessarily pay anything out of pocket for them at all. But remember that even if you do, you could be protecting your well-being and your wallet in the long run.