Crizal Lenses FAQ

Q: Why are Crizal lenses considered the best?

Crizal isn’t just another lens coating: it’s a complete performance system engineered by Essilor, one of the world’s most respected names in optical innovation. The latest generation of Crizal coatings includes SR-Booster technology, which strengthens lens durability far beyond traditional anti-scratch coatings. Because of this long-lasting durability and crystal-clear transparency, Crizal coatings have become a global benchmark for anti-reflective lens performance. Many patients who switch to Crizal lenses never want to go back. According to an Essilor Brand Tracking survey, Crizal is the leading anti-reflective lens brand in consumer satisfaction, with eight out of 10 wearers reporting they are very satisfied versus only five out of 10 generic coating wearers.

Q: What are the physical benefits of Crizal lens coating?

Crizal lens coatings are designed to provide an overall enhanced visual experience through multiple physical benefits, including scratch resistance, smudge resistance, water- and dust-repellent properties, optimal double-sided UV protection, advanced anti-reflective performance, ease of cleaning, and long-term clarity.

Q: Is Crizal a coating or a lens?

Crizal, by Essilor, is the brand name of a premium anti-reflective coating applied to eyeglass lenses. While many people refer to them as “Crizal lenses,” the technology itself is a multi-layer coating system designed to reduce glare, improve clarity, and enhance lens durability. Crizal coatings also help lenses repel dust, water, fingerprints, and everyday smudges, making your glasses easier to wear and easier to clean.

Q: Can Crizal lenses help with visual fatigue at night?

Yes. One of the biggest challenges for eyeglass wearers, especially when driving, is glare from headlights, streetlights, and reflective surfaces. These reflections can interfere with how clearly you see the road and may contribute to eye strain and fatigue. Crizal lenses significantly reduce distracting reflections and provide superior anti-glare performance, resulting in crisper, clearer vision, particularly at night, and helping keep your eyes more relaxed and focused.

Q: Is the Crizal anti-scratch coating important?

Yes. Scratches on eyeglass lenses can distort your view, make images appear fuzzy, and even trigger headaches or eye discomfort. If scratches appear in your primary viewing zone, they can make everyday tasks like reading, driving, or using a computer more difficult or even unsafe. Crizal’s anti-scratch coating incorporates Eye Protect Technology, which strengthens the surface of the lens to guard against scratches, smudges, dust, water, and glare. While no lens is completely scratch-proof, Crizal coatings are widely recognized for offering some of the strongest scratch resistance on the market.

Q: Where can I buy Crizal lenses in Canada?

Crizal lenses are only available through authorized eye care professionals who partner with Essilor. At Unionville Optometry in Markham, Ontario, the practice is a certified Crizal dealer and offers the full range of Crizal products. Whether you’re purchasing your first pair of Crizal lenses or replacing an existing pair, their opticians and optometrists can walk you through your options and help you choose the right lens design for your lifestyle.

Q: How do I clean Crizal lenses?

Crizal lenses are designed to be exceptionally easy to clean thanks to their advanced anti-smudge and hydrophobic technologies. Most smudges wipe away effortlessly. To maximize lens lifespan, it is recommended to use a microfiber cloth for daily cleaning, rinse lenses with lukewarm water before wiping if they are dusty or sandy, and avoid harsh household cleaners or paper towels, which can damage even very durable lenses. Crizal coatings are designed to stay clean longer, so you will typically need to clean your glasses less often.

Q: Can Crizal lenses go in any eyeglass frame?

Yes. Crizal lenses can be fitted into virtually any glasses frame type, including plastic, metal, full-rim, semi-rimless, and rimless designs. Crizal coatings can also be applied to most prescription lens types.

Q: Do Crizal lenses protect against the sun?

Yes. Crizal coatings include built-in UV protection, sometimes referred to as Essilor’s sun lens technology. This UV coating layer helps reduce your exposure to harmful UV rays, which can contribute to cataracts and other eye health issues over time, and also enhances contrast to deliver more comfortable vision in bright outdoor conditions.

Q: What if I prefer wearing contact lenses?

If you prefer wearing contact lenses, Unionville Optometry offers additional resources such as their Acuvue Contact Lenses FAQ to help you make informed decisions about your eye care and eyewear, including finding the most advanced contact lens technology available to you.

Last Modified Feb 10, 2026 @ 4:12 pm

Everything You Need To Know About The Gold Standard in Anti-Reflective Lens Coatings

If you’ve ever worn glasses, then you will appreciate this Crizal lenses FAQ.

At some point in time you may have dealt with stubborn, waxy smudges you can’t quite seem to wipe away completely. Or perhaps it was the annoying glare bouncing off your lenses and limiting your line of sight. Or was it the invisible but impactful micro-scratches that distort your vision.

A decent lens coating can make all that a thing of the past! Especially a high-quality lens coating like Essilor Crizal: a name that has become synonymous with clarity, durability, and comfort for glasses wearers worldwide.

At Unionville Optometry in Markham, Ontario, our eye care professionals are proud to offer Crizal lenses and help patients understand why they’re considered the gold standard in anti-reflective (AR) coatings.

Read on for answers to all the most common questions we receive in-clinic about AR coatings in general, and Essilor Crizal lenses in particular.

Why are Crizal lenses considered the best?

Crizal® lenses are widely recognized as one of the top anti-reflective (AR) coating systems for glasses. Built by Essilor, Crizal combines advanced multi-layer coatings with proprietary technologies like SR-Booster™ to deliver exceptional durability, scratch resistance, and visual clarity. Users consistently report clearer vision and fewer reflections compared with generic AR coatings, which is why Crizal is often considered the benchmark for high-performance lens coatings worldwide.

For many patients, once they switch to Crizal lenses, they never want to go back. In fact, with over 30 years of innovation under their belt, according to an Essilor Brand Tracking survey:

Crizal® is the undisputed leading anti-reflective lens brand in consumer satisfaction,
With eight out of 10 wearers reporting they are very satisfied, versus only five out of 10 generic coating wearers.

What are the physical benefits of Crizal lens coating?

Crizal coatings provide a range of optical and practical benefits, including:

Superior scratch resistance that helps maintain view clarity over time.
Smudge and fingerprint resistance so lenses stay cleaner longer.
Water and dust repellence for easier everyday wear.
Double-sided UV protection to help protect your eyes from harmful rays.
Advanced anti-reflective performance to reduce glare.
Simple cleaning and maintenance for less frequent wiping.
Together, these features make Crizal lenses easier to use and maintain in daily life.

Is Crizal a coating or a lens?

Crizal (by Essilor), refers to a premium multi-layer anti-reflective coating applied to eyeglass lenses, not a lens material itself. While many people say “Crizal lenses,” this term refers to lenses that have been treated with Crizal’s high-performance AR and protective coating, which enhances clarity, durability, and wearability.

Can Crizal lenses help with visual fatigue at night?

Yes! Crizal’s anti-reflective technology significantly reduces glare from headlights, streetlights, and other bright sources, which can contribute to eye strain and discomfort, especially at night. By minimizing reflections and distractions, Crizal lenses help make driving and nighttime activities more comfortable and focused.

Is the Crizal anti-scratch coating important?

Absolutely. Scratches on eyeglass lenses can distort vision, blur details, and even contribute to headaches or eye strain. Crizal’s scratch-resistant layers, including Eye Protect Technology™, strengthen the surface and help protect your lenses from the daily wear and tear that can compromise your vision. While no coating is completely scratch-proof, Crizal’s durability is among the strongest available.

Where can I buy Crizal lenses in Canada?

Crizal lenses are available only through authorized eye care professionals who are certified dealers for Essilor products. At Unionville Optometry in Markham in Markham, Ontario, we offer the full selection of Crizal coating options and help you choose the best lenses for your prescription, lifestyle, and visual needs.

Whether you’re purchasing your first pair of Crizal lenses or replacing an existing pair, our experienced opticians and optometrists will walk you through your options and help you choose the right lens design for your lifestyle.

How do I clean Crizal lenses?

Crizal lenses are engineered for easier cleaning thanks to their hydrophobic and anti-smudge surfaces. To maintain them:

Use a microfiber cloth for daily cleaning.
If lenses are dusty or sandy, rinse first with lukewarm water before wiping.
Avoid harsh household cleaners and paper products, which can damage coatings.
Following these steps helps preserve clarity and extend the life of your lenses.

Can Crizal lenses go in any eyeglass frame?

Yes. Crizal coatings can be applied to virtually any type of eyeglass frames, including plastic, metal, full-rim, semi-rimless, and rimless styles. They also work with most prescription lens types, providing flexibility and performance across a wide range of eyewear.

Do Crizal lenses protect against the sun?

Yes. Crizal coatings include built-in UV protection as part of their design, sometimes referred to as Essilor’s sun lens technology. This helps reduce exposure to harmful ultraviolet rays, which can contribute to long-term eye health issues. By improvng contrast and visual comfort in bright conditions, Crizal coatings also support better outdoor vision.

What if I prefer wearing contact lenses?

If you prefer contact lenses, you can explore other options. See our Acuvue Contact Lenses FAQ for guidance on contact lens technology, fitting, and eye health considerations. Glasses with Crizal coatings can still be valuable as a backup or for activities where glasses are preferred.

What do I need to do to get Crizal lenses from Unionville Optometry?

As an authorized Crizal dealer, Unionville Optometry offers personalized support to help you choose lenses and frames suited to your prescription and lifestyle. Whether you need single-vision, progressive, computer, or multifocal lenses with Crizal coatings, our team can guide you through the selection and fitting process. To get started, schedule an eye exam or consultation with us.

Are Crizal lenses worth the extra cost?

For many patients, yes. Crizal lenses last longer, stay cleaner, and provide clearer vision than basic anti-reflective coatings, which can reduce replacement frequency and improve everyday comfort.

Do Crizal lenses help with blue light from screens?

Some Crizal coatings are compatible with blue-light filtering lens technologies, which can help reduce glare and visual discomfort from prolonged digital device use.

How long do Crizal lens coatings last?

With proper care, Crizal coatings are designed to last for the life of the prescription, offering long-term resistance to scratches, smudges, and reflections.

Are Crizal lenses good for people who drive a lot?

Yes. Crizal’s advanced anti-reflective technology helps reduce glare from headlights and streetlights, making them especially beneficial for night driving and long commutes.

Can Crizal coatings be added to progressive lenses?

Absolutely. Crizal coatings work well with progressive, bifocal, and single-vision lenses, enhancing clarity across all viewing zones.

Are Crizal lenses suitable for children and teens?

Yes. Their scratch resistance, easy cleaning, and UV protection make Crizal coatings a practical option for active children and teenagers who wear glasses daily.

Do Crizal lenses reduce eye strain during computer use?

By minimizing reflections and glare, Crizal lenses can help improve visual comfort during extended screen time, which may reduce symptoms of digital eye strain.

Can Crizal lenses be replaced if the coating is damaged?

If a Crizal coating becomes damaged or worn prematurely, replacement options may be available depending on warranty coverage and lens condition. Our Markham optometrists can advise on next steps.

Contact Unionville Optometry

Unionville’s Markham eyewear boutique carries hundreds of stylish frames, including more than 40 designer brands, as well as all types of eyeglass lenses compatible with Crizal anti-reflective coating. Whether you wear progressive lenses, single-vision distance lenses, reading or multifocal lenses, or computer lenses, our team can help set you up with the perfect combination of lens technology and frame style.

To make an appointment or find even more answers to further questions you may have about Crizal lenses specifically, or your eyewear options in general, you can contact us as follows:

Call: 1-905-477-4488

Visit: Stop by our eyewear department at our Markham clinic

Email: unionvilleoptometry@rogers.com – We’re happy to answer additional questions!

We hope you found our Crizal lenses FAQ helpful. Discover for yourself why Essilor Crizal lenses are the best thing you can do for your eyes, and transform the way you see the world, every single day.

Essilor Crizal Lenses

Everything You Need To Know About The Gold Standard in Anti-Reflective Lens Coatings