Crizal lenses: How they work, benefits and where to buy

Crizal is a brand of eyeglass lenses created by the Essilor Group in 1992. The lens surface is treated with a special coating that allows them to repel water and grease. This protects them from scratching and smudging. It also acts as a shield against UV rays.

Crizal lens treatment can be applied to most lenses and prescriptions, including progressive and Transitions lenses. 

Most people rely on sunglasses to protect their eyes from harmful UV rays. With Crizal, Essilor found a solution for UV protection in a clear eyeglass lens. 

In 2012, Essilor developed a rating system that measures how well a clear lens shields UV rays. The effectiveness of the lenses is reflected with an E-SPF: eye-sun protection factor. 

The average E-SPF provided by clear lenses ranges from 2 to a maximum of 25. Tinted lenses, including sunglasses, have an E-SPF of 50+. Crizal lenses with UV protection have an E-SPF of 35 — 10 points higher than the most protection provided by the average clear lens.

The trademarked Crizal coating is applied to lenses to protect against smudging and scratching. Ordinary lenses have a hard coat only, are easily scratched and offer little to no UV protection. Lenses equipped with the Crizal coating stay cleaner and provide sharper, safer vision. 

Crizal lenses have received the Seal of Recommendation by the Skin Cancer Foundation for their UV protection. They have also received the Good Housekeeping Seal, which reflects a product’s trust and satisfaction.

Developers have adapted the technology behind Crizal to meet the various preferences of glasses wearers. Every Crizal lens type maintains the same expert level of quality and clarity to provide the absolute sharpest vision.

• Crizal Sapphire 360° UV – This treatment is known to provide the best clarity. Multi-angular technology reduces reflections from all directions. This minimizes glare, offers enhanced UV protection and provides better nighttime driving.
• Crizal Prevencia – Crizal Prevencia lenses filter out harmful blue-violet light from digital screens. But they allow helpful blue-turquoise light through.
• Crizal Rock – These lenses use trademarked High-Resistance Technology. This ensures the most durable, scratch- and smudge-resistant lenses. They also repel dust and water.
• Crizal Alizé UV – Lenses stay cleaner longer with the highest level of smudge resistance. This ensures clear, distraction-free vision with added UV protection.
• Crizal Easy UV – Crizal Easy UV combines the perks of durability, scratch resistance, easy cleaning and UV protection, all in one lens.

The type of lens treatment that best suits your lifestyle and vision needs will be recommended to you by your eye doctor. 

While Crizal lens coating can only be applied to new lenses, the treatment is widely available within the U.S., as well as internationally. To find out whether your preferred eye doctor offers Crizal, give them a call or check their website for information on lens coating options.

Or use this search tool to find eye doctors in your area that carry Crizal lenses. You can specify your search based on ZIP code and accepted insurance companies to find a Crizal carrier that fits your preferences.