Oakley’s mirror coating that reduces glare is called Iridium.
Iridium is a metallic coating applied to the lens surface. Its reflective appearance is not merely decorative: the coating helps reflect some incoming light and allows Oakley to tune light transmission for different brightness conditions. Oakley has offered multiple Iridium colors, each associated with a particular tint and visual character.
Iridium is often confused with polarization because both can improve comfort in bright conditions, but they work differently. Polarized lenses use a filter to reduce glare concentrated in certain orientations, especially reflections from roads, water, and snow. Iridium is a surface coating that creates the mirror effect and manages the amount of light entering through the lens.
It is also distinct from an anti-reflective coating. Anti-reflective treatments are designed primarily to suppress reflections from a lens surface, often on the back of prescription lenses. Oakley’s Iridium technology became a signature part of the company’s sport eyewear, particularly in cycling, skiing, and other high-brightness environments.