A method for manufacturing a coated lens by applying at least one single electromagnetic pulse to convert a coating precursor material into at least one coating. The electromagnetic pulse is delivered to the coating precursor material applied on a surface of an uncoated or precoated optical lens substrate. The at least one single electromagnetic pulse is applied from an electromagnetic source such as a flash lamp, a halogen lamp, a directed plasma arc, a laser, a microwave generator, an induction heater, an electron beam, a stroboscope, or a mercury lamp.