It's time for your annual eye exam and you're hoping to snag a new pair of eyeglasses at the same time. In addition to your prescription, you may be unsure about the various add-ons you can choose to customize your eyeglasses. While you may not need all of these in one pair of eyeglasses, choosing a few optional add-ons can definitely make your glasses more enjoyable and comfortable to wear. Here are four to consider:

Scratch-Resistant Coating

Scratch-resistant coating is almost always worth the additional cost, especially if you tend to drop your glasses or bump them against surfaces on a regular basis. Without scratch-resistant coating, it is way too easy for many small scratches to develop all over your eyeglasses. This can happen so gradually that you barely notice at first, but without realizing it your eyeglasses will become much less effective and more difficult to see out of over time. With scratch-resistant coating it will be easier for your eyeglasses to last until your next prescription.

Transitional Lenses

Transitional lenses are an amazing feature if you wear your eyeglasses outside in the sunshine. As UV rays from the sun hit your eyeglass lens, they transition from regular eyeglasses to prescription sunglasses. This means you only need one pair of glasses during the day, instead of a separate pair of prescription sunglasses. Transitional lenses also help protect your eyes from damage caused by UV rays, which is great for your overall visual health.

Anti-Reflective Coating

Anti-reflective coating is a feature that you may not realize you need until you try it, and then you may wonder how you ever lived without it. Anti-reflective coating prevents glare from hitting your glasses. This makes it easier to see when looking at a computer, driving at night, or working in an office with fluorescent lights. Without glare, you will probably find your vision becomes more crisp and focused. As an added bonus, you will be able to wear your eyeglasses in photos without worrying about the glare from camera flash showing up.

Spring Hinges

Spring hinges may not be the most glamorous eyeglass add-on, but they can definitely improve the fit and feel of your glasses. Spring hinges make your eyeglasses adjustable and flexible for a more comfortable fit. If your old eyeglasses left you with a headache or discomfort, adding spring hinges to your next pair can be a great option.

If any of these eyeglass add-ons sound appealing to you, be sure to mention them to your eye doctor at your next eye appointment. For more information, you can also contact companies like Mid-America Vision Center.