The development of antireflection films 50 years ago was based on interference of light waves. Antireflection films have broad ophthalmic applications by increasing transmittance and decreasing reflection as a function of wavelength and polarization. Design considerations of thin films are enormous, as are the rigors of successful film production.A computer search of optometric and ophthalmologic databases produced very few pertinent references. Discussions with optical engineers led to extensive publications in optical engineering journals and texts.Literature search and interviews with optical engineers provided the historical development, design, and production considerations of optical antireflection coatings.Ophthalmic thin-film antireflection coatings have a long but unknown development. Many design and production parameters must be considered in producing effective, long-lived ophthalmic coatings, which do offer significant improvement in optical performance.