Use of high resolution environmental scanning electron microscopy to capture images of contact lens coating layers, enabling measurement of the coating thickness and structures of the coating layer to be precisely characterized. The coating layer can be directly visualized and quantitatively measured. Furthermore, controlled environments of varying temperatures and varying levels of relative humidity can be established in environmental scanning electron microscopy, such that the dynamic changes of the coating in such conditions can be imaged and measured. The controlled environments can be set up to mimic either the manufacturing process conditions, or be set up to simulate lens-on-eye conditions.