What is the technology behind ZEISS AntiVirus Coatings?
We’ve developed technology that transfers antimicrobial silver into an anti-reflective coating layer that can be applied to the surface of a spectacle lens. This “layer of trust” is carefully engineered to deliver a product that is safe to use, effectively killing and deactivating viruses and bacteria1:
Use of silver as antimicrobial agent
The healing properties of silver have been known for centuries and are well established in science and medicine. ZEISS developed technology to incorporate this proven approach as another feature of the premium anti-reflective coating so that viruses and bacteria that land on the lens surface are killed and inactivated.
Vacuum deposition and material science
Through a special vacuum coating process, silver is deposited on the surface of the lens at high temperatures. ZEISS DuraVision AntiVirus Platinum UV contains embedded antimicrobial silver within the coating structure. The silver within the coating releases silver ions (Ag+). These silver ions (Ag+) deliver proven antiviral and antibacterial interaction on the lens surface.
This product is tested and proven in compliance with the established ISO standards for antiviral or antibacterial testing by external laboratories and institutes located in China, Germany and Canada.
Did you know?
Bacteria and viruses are found on high-touch items, including spectacles. Your lenses can be easily contaminated through direct contact and droplet spread:
Several days or more
how long some viruses can remain viable on surfaces.2
72 hours
how long the virus that causes COVID-19 can remain viable and infectious on plastic.3
Find the perfect pair
Find your perfect pair of eyeglasses lenses, and of course a frame to suit the shape of your face. Adjusting to your new glasses can take as little as 1 day.
1 ZEISS DuraVision AntiVirus Platinum UV coating kills 99.9% of viruses and bacteria on spectacle lens surfaces. Source: Tested by ISO 21702:2019(E) for enveloped viruses and tested by ISO 22196:2011(E) for Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. Efficacy proven after 24 hours as defined by ISO standards.
2 Some viruses usually remain viable on surfaces for several hours to several days, others can even remain infective on surfaces for 2 months or longer. Source: Boone & Gerba (2007). Significance of fomites in the spread of respiratory and enteric viral disease. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 73(6): 1687-1696; Thompson & Bennett (2017). Persistence of influenza on surfaces. Journal of Hospital Infection, 95:194–9.
3 The virus that causes COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) can also survive on surfaces over time: A recent study suggests that the virus can remain viable and infectious up to 72 hours on stainless steel and plastic. Source: van Doremalen N., Bushmaker T., Morris D.H., Holbrook M.G., Gamble A., Williamson B.N., Tamin A., Harcourt J.L., Thornburg N.J., Gerber S.I., Lloyd-Smith J.O., de Wit E., Munster V.J. (2020).Aeorsol and surface stability of SARS-CoV-2 as compared with SARS-CoV-1. New England Journal of Medicine, 382:16.
2 Some viruses usually remain viable on surfaces for several hours to several days, others can even remain infective on surfaces for 2 months or longer. Source: Boone & Gerba (2007). Significance of fomites in the spread of respiratory and enteric viral disease. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 73(6): 1687-1696; Thompson & Bennett (2017). Persistence of influenza on surfaces. Journal of Hospital Infection, 95:194–9.
3 The virus that causes COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) can also survive on surfaces over time: A recent study suggests that the virus can remain viable and infectious up to 72 hours on stainless steel and plastic. Source: van Doremalen N., Bushmaker T., Morris D.H., Holbrook M.G., Gamble A., Williamson B.N., Tamin A., Harcourt J.L., Thornburg N.J., Gerber S.I., Lloyd-Smith J.O., de Wit E., Munster V.J. (2020).Aeorsol and surface stability of SARS-CoV-2 as compared with SARS-CoV-1. New England Journal of Medicine, 382:16.