A coated glass article includes a glass article comprising a glass having a surface. The surface has an adhesion promoting region comprising a nanostructure formed at the surface of the glass. The adhesion promoting region is constructed of materials that are the same as one or more constituents of a glass composition of the glass. The coated glass article further includes a coating disposed on the adhesion promoting region formed at the surface of the glass. The coating incudes one or more polymer coating materials. The adhesion promoting region improves adhesion of the coating to the glass while also eliminating the use of titania or other adhesion promoting compounds that can adversely affect the optical properties of the coatings.