LensCrafters Coating Coming Off, Customers Say

Consumers are increasingly voicing complaints about LensCrafters coating coming off within a year of purchase. These same consumers claim that the company’s response to the problem is inadequate and, in many cases, LensCrafters does nothing at all.

About LensCrafters ‘Premium AR’

Anti-reflective coatings
are popular lens enhancements for people who wear glasses. Not only does it reduce reflection, it also repels water, smudging, and dust while cutting glare that can make driving hazardous at night or on bright, sunny days. According to LensCrafters’ marketing promotions, its “premium AR” reduces glare and widens the wearer’s field of vision by as much as 30 percent. The company also claims that its anti-reflective coating minimizes eye strain that can result after spending hours a day in front of a computer monitor.

Consumers Complain

A number of people who have paid extra for Premium AR — as much as $400 — say they’ve experienced the LensCrafters coating coming off in as little as six months. When informed about it, the company has reportedly acknowledged that the coating will eventually come off, however, it allegedly does not inform customers of this before a purchase is made.

LensCrafters recommends cleaning its lenses with the company’s proprietary lens cleaner and tissue. However, consumers say that the coating continues to deteriorate and come off anyway. In some cases, LensCrafters offers replacements, but the same problem occurs. LensCrafters reportedly offers one-year scratch and breakage protection, but it does not seem to cover LensCrafters coating coming off.

Why is LensCrafters Coating Coming Off?

Some believe that it’s the nature of anti-reflective, or anti-glare, coating to peel off. (These coatings are different from anti-scratch coatings). As far back as 2004, consumers were voicing complaints about LensCrafters coating coming off. In the internet forum straightdope.com, one person suggested that the problem stems from using lens cleaners, advising using water or a “cleaner specifically for coated lenses” instead. Other posters recommended microfiber for preserving anti-reflective coatings. Another poster wrote that LensCrafters lenses are “very delicate” and should not be exposed to chemical glass cleaners such as Windex.

LensCrafters, however, does not appear to mention these issues in their sales and promotions.

Possible Litigation

At this point, no lawsuits have been filed over LensCrafters coating coming off. But the company has been targeted in litigation before. In 2017, a LensCrafters class action accused the company of fraud and spreading misleading information for claiming that its “Accufit” measurements were “five times more precise” than those taken with standard methods and boasting that Accufit resulted in greater accuracy and better vision. The plaintiff alleged there was no difference, and that LensCrafters’ claims simply deceived consumers into paying inflated prices for glasses.

The Consumerist reported on another class action, also filed in California in 2017, accused LensCrafters of violating the state’s unfair competition and false advertising laws by advertising “fake [original] prices” and “phantom discounts” on its products.

Earlier this year, the Los Angeles Times reported that since LensCrafters’ parent company, Luxottica, has come to dominate the prescription eye wear industry, competition has disappeared, along with corporate accountability for pricing and product quality.

Join a Free LensCrafters Class Action Lawsuit Investigation

If you purchased glasses from LensCrafters that came with standard or premium anti-reflective coating that stopped working, you may qualify to join this LenCrafters class action lawsuit investigation.

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This article is not legal advice. It is presented
for informational purposes only.