How to Care for Your Eyeglasses
Would you like to extend the life of your eyeglasses? Following these care tips will help you ensure your glasses won't break or wear out prematurely.
Follow Cleaning Recommendations
Do you clean your glasses with the closest thing available? If you do, you're not alone. Thirty-six percent of people surveyed by The Vision Council admitted to cleaning their glasses with a shirt or article of clothing. While reaching for a shirttail may be convenient, brushing away spots with your shirt, toilet paper, or a paper towel could scratch your lenses.
Fortunately, you can keep your eyeglass lenses crystal clear by following these instructions:
- Rinse Your Eyeglasses in Lukewarm Water to Remove Dirt and Debris
- Add a Drop of Dishwashing Liquid to Each Lens and Gently Rub
- Rinse the Lenses to Remove the Liquid
- Dry the Lenses with a Microfiber or Cotton Cloth (These types of cloths are ideal, as they won't shed fibers that could scratch your lenses or interfere with your vision)
Don't forget to clean the frames, nose pads, and temples too. These areas can collect bacteria and should be cleaned every time you clean your lenses. According to a 2018 research study published in PLoS One, nose pads and ear clips have the highest amount of bacteria.
Don't forget to wash your cleaning cloth often. Washing removes dirt and debris that could scratch the lenses. Add a little dish detergent to the cloth, rinse well, and allow to air dry.
Keep a Case Nearby
Eyeglass cases help keep your glasses clean and prevent damage if the glasses should happen to fall or if something heavy falls on them. Hard cases offer the best protection for glasses.
Place cases in strategic locations throughout your home to ensure your glasses are protected. Using cases, and putting your eyeglass cases in the same places every time, will make it easier to find your glasses when you need them.
Prevent Crazing
Your eyeglasses may be subject to crazing if they have an anti-reflective coating. The coating reduces glare, but can become damaged without proper care. Crazing happens when tiny cracks form in the lenses.
According to All About Vision, crazing can happen if you clean your lenses with household cleaners, expose the glasses to extreme hot or cold weather, or wear them when grilling, building a campfire, or participating in other hot activities. Avoid the problem by wearing an old pair of eyeglasses for these activities.
Although hot or cold weather can damage your eyeglasses, the glasses would need to be exposed to extreme temperatures for a significant amount of time. Crazing can also happen if you leave your eyeglasses or sunglasses in your car on a hot or cold day.
Handle with Care
Have you ever watched a TV character remove their glasses with one hand and thought, "That's not the way to take off a pair of glasses." Using both hands to remove your glasses prevents twisting, warping and broken frames.
If your glasses do bend, warp, or feel too loose, stop by the optometry office for a quick adjustment. If you try to fix the problem yourself, you may damage your frames. We can also adjust uncomfortable nose pads and replace worn-out pads.
Keep your glasses away from aerosol products that could damage the lenses, including hair spray and spray paint. If you're planning a few projects around your house, invest in a pair of safety goggles designed to fit comfortably over eyeglasses. Safety glasses protect your eyeglasses and eyes from dangerous objects and substances.
Are your eyeglasses damaged or scratched? A new pair of eyeglasses may be just what you need to see the world more clearly. Contact our office to schedule an appointment with the optometrist.
Sources:
All About Vision: What Is Crazing on My Eyeglass Lenses, 1/9/2020
https://www.allaboutvision.com/eyewear/eyeglasses/lenses/what-is-crazing/
The Vision Council: New InSights Research from The Vision Council Reveals Most Consumers Use Eyewear Accessories, 4/16/2024
PMC: PLoS One: A View to a Kill? – Ambient Bacterial Load of Frames and Lenses of Spectacles and Evaluation of Different Cleaning Methods, 11/28/2018
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6261565/
All About Vision: How to Clean Glasses the Right Way, 5/9/2021
https://www.allaboutvision.com/eyewear/maintenance/how-to-clean-glasses/
Healthline: The Best Ways to Clean Your Eyeglasses, 5/26/2020
https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-clean-glasses#summary