Lens options and coatings to offer in private label eyewear: polarized, blue light, anti-reflective, transition

I design and manufacture private-label eyewear for global brands, and over the years I’ve seen the same questions repeatedly: which lens options truly add value, which coatings solve real customer pain points, and how do you balance cost, manufacturability and compliance? In this article I summarize the practical lens and coating choices I recommend—polarized, blue-light-blocking, anti-reflective (AR) and photochromic (transition) lenses—how they perform, manufacturing considerations at an eyewear factory level, and the commercial approaches that make those options profitable for private-label brands.

Understanding wearer needs & use cases

Segmenting by activity and environment

The first step I take when advising clients is to segment end users by primary activities: outdoor leisure (beach, boating), driving, sports, office/digital work, and medical/prescription use. Each segment has distinct performance priorities: outdoor users prioritize glare control and UV protection; drivers need contrast and reduced veiling reflections; athletes prioritize impact resistance and lens retention under motion; digital users seek comfort under prolonged screen exposure. Proper segmentation informs which lens options you should offer in a private-label lineup.

Prescription vs non-prescription workflows

Prescription lenses introduce additional constraints—index options (1.50, 1.56, 1.61, 1.67, 1.74), base curves, and edging tolerances—so coatings and treatments must be compatible with prescription surfacing and AR deposition processes. In my factories, we separate production cells for plano polarized sunglasses (injection molded polycarbonate or CR-39) and for prescription lenses (high-index substrates), because process parameters and QC differ materially.

Compatibility with frame materials and assembly

Frame choice (TR90, acetate, metal) affects lens selection and assembly methods. For example, thin high-index prescription lenses work well in metal rimless designs but require precise hole drilling and torque-controlled screw fittings. Photochromic treatments are often pre-diffused into lens substrates (e.g., Transitions in CR-39 or polycarbonate) and thus must be ordered from suppliers with matching hole-drilling tolerances for rimless styles. When I work with customers at our eyewear factory, I always map lens source, coating process and frame assembly together to avoid late-stage surprises.

Polarized lenses: when and how to offer

Benefits, limitations and customer expectations

Polarized lenses are the most recognizable value-add for sunglasses because they remove horizontal glare (reflections from water, snow, and roads) and improve visual comfort and contrast. They are highly valued in outdoor, driving and fishing markets. However, polarization can interfere with the readability of some LCD instruments (e.g., certain car dashboards or phone screens) and can hide subtle ice patterns for mountaineers—so marketing must set accurate expectations. For technical background see Polarized sunglasses (Wikipedia).

Materials and manufacturing considerations

Polarizing films are laminated into polycarbonate or CR-39 blanks, or produced as cast polarized lenses. At scale, I prefer laminated polycarbonate for impact-rated sport sunglasses and cast polarized CR-39 for High Quality plano sunglasses because each process optimizes impact resistance, polarization uniformity and optical clarity. Manufacturing notes I follow: careful control of lamination temperature to avoid birefringence, inline inspection for delamination, and polarization axis verification using optical benches.

Testing, standards and quality control

Polarized lenses should be tested for polarization efficiency (>95% is achievable), optical distortion and UV blocking (100% UVA/UVB). I calibrate spectrophotometers and polarization analyzers as part of QA. For regulatory context, sunglasses are commonly evaluated under standards referenced on the sunglasses page (Sunglasses standards) and often to local standards like ANSI Z80.3 (for sunglasses) or ISO 12312-1. Ensuring conformance reduces returns and liability.

Blue-light blocking, anti-reflective coatings and photochromic (transitions)

Blue light: evidence, product options and claims

Customers increasingly ask for blue-light-blocking lenses. The evidence for retinal damage from normal device-use blue light is limited, but blue light can affect circadian rhythms and contribute to digital eye strain for some users. Reviews and summaries are available from the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) and peer-reviewed overviews such as a 2018 review on the effects of blue light (NCBI/PMC).

Product-wise, options include: 1) clear blue-filtering AR coatings that slightly attenuate 400–450 nm light without visible tint; 2) tinted filters (warm amber) that strongly reduce blue content; 3) lenses with embedded blue-blocking compounds. For office workers, I recommend low-reflectance AR plus a mild blue-filter AR—this balances comfort without altering color perception dramatically.

Anti-reflective (AR) coatings: technical choices and durability

AR coatings reduce surface reflections, increase contrast, and improve aesthetics by making the eyes visible behind the lens. Modern multi-layer vapor-deposited AR coatings are durable and hydrophobic/oleophobic top-coated for stain resistance. Key specifications I verify: reflectance percentage in the visible band (look for <1% total reflectance), scratch resistance (ISO or ASTM abrasion tests), and adhesion (cross-hatch). Technical background on AR coatings can be found at Anti-reflective coating (Wikipedia).

Photochromic (Transitions): performance, substrates and markets

Photochromic (transition) lenses darken in response to UV and, to some extent, visible light. They’re popular for consumers who want a dual indoor/outdoor solution. Note performance varies by substrate: glass photochromics are slower; modern organic (CR-39) and polycarbonate formulations are faster but differ in peak darkness, fade-back time, and indoor residual tint. For technical background see Photochromic lens (Wikipedia).

In my experience, private-label brands achieve the best reviews by offering both a photochromic High Quality option and a dedicated sunglass (polarized) option rather than expecting one lens to solve all use cases.

Commercial and technical recommendations for private label

Comparing lens options — features and recommended use

Sources: product category overviews and standards context from Wikipedia, AAO, and technical material summaries at Wikipedia.

Pricing strategy, MOQs and packaging

From a commercial standpoint, I structure private-label SKUs as tiers: Core (basic sun/plano with UV), Pro (AR + scratch/hydrophobic), and High Quality (Polarized or Photochromic + High Quality AR). This tiering simplifies manufacturing (shared frames, staged lens inventory) and reduces SKU bloat. For MOQ, polarized and photochromic blanks usually require larger order quantities from lens houses; I advise clients to batch runs and offer soft-launch promotional bundles to validate demand before scale. Packaging should communicate measurable benefits (e.g., Polarization efficiency ≥ 95%, AR reflectance <1%) rather than vague marketing claims.

Regulatory compliance and labeling

Always verify regional standards: many markets require sunglasses to meet local safety/UV standards (see sunglasses standards overview at Wikipedia) and prescription lenses to conform to applicable optical device regulations. For medical claims (e.g., retinal protection), ensure you have supporting peer-reviewed evidence and avoid implying disease prevention unless you can substantiate it. For general device regulation information see the U.S. Food and Drug Administration optics pages (FDA ophthalmic devices).

How I implement these choices at our eyewear factory

At scale, my approach is a vertically integrated one: we source high-quality lens blanks (polarized, photochromic, prescription-ready), maintain in-house AR and blue-filter coating cells, and run dedicated QC for polarization axis, AR reflectance and photochromic activation. The result is faster prototypes, fewer surprises in assembly, and the ability to offer custom engraving and packaging. Below I describe our company capabilities so you can judge fit for private-label partnerships.

Established in 2010, Karuson International Co., Ltd. is a premier eyewear factory and global OEM/ODM supplier with over 15 years of mastery in eyewear design and precision manufacturing. Operating two state-of-the-art eyewear factory bases in Dongguan and Guangzhou, we provide high-capacity production and agile delivery cycles to meet the demands of the fast-paced global market.

Our expert team has pioneered 300+ trend-setting designs, ranging from polarized sunglasses and TR90 frames to advanced optical eyewear and sports goggles. As a vertically integrated eyewear factory, we offer end-to-end customization—including bespoke frame engineering, specialized lens technology, and precision logo engraving. By maintaining rigorous quality control and rapid prototyping, we have earned the enduring trust of prestigious brands across Spain, Europe, and the Americas.

We specialize in custom glasses, custom glasses lenses, customized sunglasses, custom sunglasses sports, customize sport sunglasses, custom prescription lenses, pc sunglasses, TR Sunglasses, metal sunglasses, and custom sport sunglasses. For partnership inquiries or technical datasheets, contact us at nicole@karusonco.com or visit https://www.karusonco.com.

FAQ

1. Should I offer polarized lenses on every sunglass style?

No. Polarization is excellent for outdoor and water-related uses and justifies a High Quality, but for fashion-first sunglasses or frames meant to be worn with heads-up displays and some vehicle dashboards you may prefer non-polarized with High Quality tint and AR options. I recommend testing a polarized tier for the best-selling frames first.

2. Do blue-light lenses really protect the eyes?

Evidence that typical device-related blue light causes retinal damage is weak. However, blue-filtering lenses can reduce perceived discomfort and improve sleep hygiene in some users. For office wear, a subtle blue-filter AR coating is typically a cost-effective, low-impact option. See AAO guidance: AAO.

3. How do I price AR and photochromic upgrades?

AR is expected in mid-tier prescription eyewear—price as a standard or low-margin add-on. Photochromic and polarized lenses command higher High Qualitys; I usually price them at a 2–4x margin uplift over basic plano lenses, depending on brand positioning and supplier costs.

4. What tests should I require from my eyewear factory?

Request polarization efficiency, UV transmission spectrum, AR reflectance, adhesion and abrasion resistance tests, and if applicable, photochromic speed & density curves. Also require batch traceability and a sample retention policy for warranty claims.

5. Can one lens type replace multiple specialized lenses?

Not reliably. Photochromic lenses are versatile but do not replace polarized lenses for glare control nor provide the same rapid darkening in vehicles (rear windshields can block UV). My recommendation: offer specialized lenses when user needs justify the High Quality, and provide clear guidance on intended use.

Contact & next steps

If you’re building or refining a private-label eyewear line, I can help assess your SKU strategy, choose lens suppliers, and map an efficient production plan at scale. Email me at nicole@karusonco.com or visit karusonco.com to request samples, technical datasheets, MOQ details and lead times. Let’s design lens packages that balance performance, manufacturability and margin so KARUSON can grow confidently.