black glasses with lens treatment

Lens Treatments in Washington

Discover what lens treatments and coatings can do for you!

(202) 467-5555

Are your eyes sensitive to light? Do your glasses often get scratched?

Lens treatments can dramatically enhance the quality of vision and the durability of lenses. Moreover, lens treatments can help protect your eyes from UV rays, glare, blue light and so much more!

Our hi-tech, high-quality lens coatings provide superior durability, performance and protection.

Whether you're looking for tinted lenses, UV protection, scratch-resistant or polarized coating—we've got you covered!

men with a white beard wearing glasses


woman wearing glasses in front of a computer

What Are Lens Treatments & Coatings?

Lens treatments are added layers applied to existing lenses, or are manufactured along with the lenses. They add features that enhance your vision or eye protection.

Lens treatments or coatings improve the performance of any kind of lens. Looking for tinted lenses, anti-reflective coating, UV protection or polarized features? Check out our selection!


Which Lens Treatments Are Best for You?

  • UV protection

    The UV rays in sunlight can be harmful to the eyes, and may increase your risk of cataracts, macular degeneration and other eye conditions. Lenses that block 100% UV help to ward off various eye conditions and damage.

  • Scratch resistant

    Scratches, while not likely to affect your lens performance, are an annoyance that can interfere with clear vision. That’s why you should always request scratch-resistant lenses (treatment) for your eyeglass lenses.

  • Anti-reflective

    For fashion, comfort and clarity, anti-reflective treatments are the way to go. They make the lens nearly invisible, and cut glare from headlights, computer screens and harsh lighting.

  • Photochromic

    Photochromic lenses automatically darken in bright light and lighten indoors, so you can enjoy eye protection anytime, anywhere – indoors and out!


Our Wide Range of Lenses

Selecting the right eyeglass lens depends largely on its function. From single-vision lenses to progressive polycarbonate lenses, we are happy to help you find what best suits your needs. At Metropolitan Optical – 18th Street, we have a full-service optical lab that produces your lenses with the latest state-of-the-art technology.

clock icon about longer lifespan lenses

Longer Lifespan of the Lenses

Glare Reduction for Safer Driving

Protection from Accidental Scratches

Easy to Clean Due to Water, Dirt, Grease and Dust-Repellant Layers

Attractive Sun Lens Tint when Outdoors

Exceptional Indoor Clarity

100% Protection Against UV Rays

Glare Reduction

100% Protection Against Harmful Blue Light

Reduces Eye Fatigue

Improved Visual Comfort

Glare Reduction

100% Protection Against UV Rays

Richer Contrast & Visual Clarity

Reduces Eye Fatigue

Improved Visual Comfort

Find out more about what lens coatings can do for you! Talk to us about how to optimize your glasses so you can see better and protect your eye health.


End of Year Savings: Sept 30-Dec 31

Have you taken full advantage of your insurance benefits and flexible spending account (FSA) this year? We are offering Buy One, Get One 50% Off Complete Eyeglasses in addition to any unused benefits you may have. 

If you’re enrolled in a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA), remember that most plans expire on December 31st.

You can apply your benefits towards vision-related services, including:

  • Comprehensive Eye Exams
  • Eyeglasses (Frames + Lenses)
  • Specialized Computer Glasses
  • Contact Lenses
  • Prescription Sunglasses

*Requires purchase of complete prescription pairs, including frame and lenses. Discount applied to complete pair of equal or lesser value. Does not include sunglass frames,Barton Perreira, Cartier, Cazal, Chanel, Cutler and Gross, Dior, Dita Lancier, Fendi, Gucci, ic!Berlin, l.a. Eyeworks, Maui Jim, Mykita, Nifties, Oakley, Oliver Peoples, Persol, Ray-Ban, Robert Marc, Salt, Salvatore Ferragamo, Skaga, Silhouette, Tom Ford, WOOW, accessories, contact lenses, or medical procedures. Cannot be combined with any other discounts, promotions, or insurance plans. Not valid on previous orders. Other restrictions may apply. See practice for full details. Offer valid 9/30/2024-12/31/2024. 24AEG-836847.

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High Performance Lens Care

Who doesn’t love putting on a pair of freshly cleaned glasses?

Clean your eyeglasses daily to keep them squeaky clean and crystal-clear. In fact, proper care is essential, as it will ensure flawless vision and will help your lenses last longer. So, pop on over and we'll be happy to demonstrate how to best clean your specs!

Book an appointment for an eye exam and lens treatment consultation at Metropolitan Optical – 18th Street in Washington to get the most out of your glasses!

High Performance Lens Care

Lens Treatments FAQs

Are my glasses already scratch-resistant?

Many lenses today made of polycarbonate materials already have scratch-resistant features built in. However, most lenses are made of a resin known as CR-39, which doesn’t automatically include any lens coatings, so if scratch-resistance is important to you, ask your optician to confirm you are purchasing the right lenses for your lifestyle.

Do anti-fog glasses actually work?

If you wear glasses you already understand the frustration of seeing your lenses fog up as soon as you step inside from the cold. Small water droplets fog up your lenses when the surrounding temperatures are warmer than the lenses. Anti-fog coatings help prevent lenses from becoming cloudy no matter the weather.

Is anti-scratch coating on glasses worth it?

Even the best lens treatment can’t 100% guarantee that your lenses will never be scratched. However, the higher the quality of the coating, the better the protection.

Do I need polarized coatings?

Polarized coatings are anti-reflective, so they reduce glare from the sun, snow, water and pavement. If you plan to use your glasses around water or snow, these lenses let you see objects in sharper detail and can make colors look more vivid.

Patient Reviews
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158 Reviews
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- Oct. 30, 2024
Had an excellent experience overall. The service was top-notch, and the atmosphere was welcoming and... friendly. Dr. Pavl is incredibly kind and compassionate, making the visit comfortable and pleasant. Highly recommend!
- Sep. 06, 2024
I would give more than five stars if I could - highly recommend to anyone looking for comprehensive ... eye care in the DMV area! The entire team is so friendly and knowledgeable. As a new patient, Lucinda immediately made me feel welcome throughout the intake process. When my previous eye doctor no longer accepted my insurance, I was worried it would be difficult to find comparable care, but Dr. Stupiansky is even better! She gave a great exam, taking the time to answer all of my questions and going above and beyond to recommend exercises to help alleviate my eye strain. HUGE shout out to Jesse and Corey, who were both so helpful and patient with me as I returned several times to adjust my new glasses to fit me just right. The service, warm environment, and glasses selection are all around stellar. Thank you to the whole team at Metropolitan Optical!
- Aug. 31, 2024
Corey is an amazing worker. I’d give the staff, the service and the place itself 5 stars all aroun... d the board. Keep being great.
- Aug. 29, 2024
Friendly staff, friendly knowledgeable doctors! Call me a windmill, ‘cause I’m a big fan.
- Jul. 19, 2024
Great care, great products and super service. Expensive as are most high quality optical stores but ... I have been a patient of Dr. Ayalew and Metropolitan for over 25 years!
- Jul. 12, 2024
I'v been to multiple optical shops lately looking for new glasses. Metropolitan was the most helpfu... l of any place I looked.
- Jun. 27, 2024
Great care. Cool doctor. Easy fast experience.
- Jun. 15, 2024
Best eye doctor I’ve ever been to. Dr. Stupiansky and Lucinda went out of their way to help me whe... n I had an issue — taking the extra time to figure out what exams I needed so I wasn’t over-paying and spending extra time with me to resolve my eye issue. When I needed an urgent follow-up with a specialist and was not able to secure an appointment myself, Dr. Stupiansky took the time to call the specialist to get me in that week itself. Cannot recommend Metropolitan Optical enough.
- May. 10, 2024
The staff here are so welcoming and knowledgeable. They made the entire experience, from the exam to... picking out new glasses, a total breeze. Will absolutely come back, can't recommend them more highly.
- May. 10, 2024
Review Title: Superior Care and Exceptional Service at Metropolitan Optical I have recently had the... pleasure of visiting Metropolitan Optical with my mother for her comprehensive eye examination, under the care of Dr. Saba Ayalew. I must say that the level of service and care we received was nothing short of exceptional. From the moment we stepped into her office, Dr. Ayalew was kind, approachable, and demonstrated an extensive knowledge of her field. She was incredibly patient, taking the time to explain every step of the examination process, ensuring that my mother felt comfortable and understood everything that was happening. What particularly amazed me about Dr. Ayalew was her attention to detail. She did not rush the examination, instead, she carefully evaluated my mother's vision and thoroughly discussed the results and potential treatment options. It was evident that she genuinely cared about her patients' well-being and prioritizes their eye health. Aside from Dr. Ayalew's expertise, the other staff at Metropolitan Optical were equally impressive. They were friendly, efficient, and very helpful. They assisted us with insurance matters and guided us through the selection of eyewear, making the whole experience seamless and pleasant. The cleanliness and organization of the office itself also deserve a mention. It is well-maintained, modern, and equipped with state-of-the-art equipment. We found the overall environment both welcoming and professional. I am truly grateful for the personalized care and attention my mother received from Dr. Ayalew. Her professionalism, coupled with her warm and empathetic nature, made our visit a positive one. I would highly recommend Dr. Ayalew and Metropolitan Optical to anyone in search of top-notch eye care. In a world where the medical process can often feel rushed and impersonal, Dr. Ayalew stands out as a beacon of what patient-focused healthcare should be. Rest assured, your eyes are in the best hands with her!
- Apr. 26, 2024
I’ve been going here for more than 15 years. This place is great. Staff are friendly and profess... ional. The office is clean and there is a vast selection of eyeglass frames. Dr. Ayalew is amazing and really thorough. She asks questions related to any new health problems and explains how they could impact eye health. She’s really great.
- Apr. 23, 2024
Visited 4/19/2024. Friendly staff, knowledgeable and caring optometrist and a nice selection of fram... es to choose from. Looking forward to returning for all my eye care needs.
- Mar. 27, 2024
On Tuesday, March 26th, 2024, I had my first occasion to visit Metropolitan Optical at the 18th Stre... et location. From the moment I entered, I was greeted warmly. The technician, Ms.Lucinda, had such a pleasing, sunny personality as she prepared me for Dr. Ayalew. Dr. Ayalew continued this trend by offering exceptional eye care that addressed my concerns. But the STAR of the day was Mr. Corey Styles! I am a fashionable woman in my own way, and wanted my new glasses to reflect that. After perusing several styles but not really finding something that wowed me, Mr. Corey, who was assisting me, informed me he would be right back. When he returned several minutes later, he offered me a selection of frames from Metropolitan Optical’s Pennsylvania Avenue location. OMG!!! The selection was out of this world fantabulous and I found the perfect pair that checked all the boxes and then some! What awesome, exceptional Customer Service!! First time in my mature life had I experienced that level of going the extra mile to please a most discriminating customer. I’m not one to write a lot on social media but I just had to share the extraordinary care and service I received from everyone at Metropolitan Optional, especially my dear Mr. Corey Styles. I am a fan4life! Mary H. Beckett, D.C.
- Mar. 08, 2024
Thank you to Paul the miracle worker. I had accidentally stomped on my glasses and it was a near Hum... ty Dumpty situation. Fortunately Paul bent everything back into place.
- Mar. 01, 2024
Amazing experience at Metropolitan Optical. So happy with my new prescription!
- Jan. 22, 2024
I cannot say enough good things about this Metropolitan Optical location! Dr. Stupiansky and the sta... ff here provided me with the best, most informative eye exam I’ve ever had. My glasses pickup was also very easy and I can’t see myself ordering glasses online anymore. I highly recommend coming here for an eye exam.
- Jan. 18, 2024
Highly recommend to get your eye exam and glasses here! They explained what my insurance covers to t... he dollar and optometrist was very knowledgeable who took her time with me. My new place to go in DC
- Dec. 24, 2023
I have had a great time working with Dr. Kristin Stupiansky and her staff, they are very knowledgeab... le and personable. I have been a patient with the 18th St. office for 2 years now, and have never had any issues. I love their website, it's very clear and easy to use. They have a great glasses selection and a nice office to boot! I originally came for my yearly diabetic eye exam and everyone in the office was very informed and kept me abreast of anything they were doing!
- Dec. 21, 2023
Trust your eyes to this artist and her dream team of talented people. Not only does she use 21st cen... tury technology to gauge the health and well being of your eyes; she also has a subtle artistic understanding of your visual progress and your stage of life. These two together allow her to track the vision of her long term patients; and, to offer them solutions that fit both their life stage and their life style. Dr. Saba was able me to effortlessly and gradually usher me into the world of progressive lenses — a life stage that I had only heard horror stories about. Her prescription artistry and her pragmatic advice has made me a convert to using progressive lenses. Most importantly like any successful person, she surrounds herself with a caring compassionate team that remembers you and is absolutely at your service. I can’t recommend Metropolitan Optical any more highly than this. USE THEIR SERVICES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- Dec. 16, 2023
Great office with professional doctors.

View All 158 Reviews

Lens Treatments & Coatings in Washington

Our optometry practice in Washington

Photograph of Saba  Ayalew
Hours
  • Monday 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
  • Tuesday 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
  • Wednesday 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
  • Thursday 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
  • Friday 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • Care First
  • Aetna
  • Davis Vision
  • EyeMed
  • VSP

two pairs of glasses on a table

Enhance your glasses with various treatments and coatings.

Contact our optical professionals at Metropolitan Optical – 18th Street in Washington today!

(202) 467-5555