Optical glasses are a vital part of many people’s daily lives, not just as a vision correction tool but also as a fashion accessory. Proper maintenance of your optical glasses lenses is crucial to ensure they last longer and continue providing clear and accurate vision.
This detailed guide will provide step-by-step instructions on daily care, handling tips, and professional maintenance strategies to help you get the most out of your glasses.
Daily Maintenance Tips
Maintaining your glasses on a daily basis is the first step to ensuring their longevity and effectiveness. Here are key routines to include in your daily practices:
- Appropriate Cleaning Methods: Always use a microfiber cloth and a cleaning solution specifically formulated for optical glasses to clean your glasses. Avoid using household cleaning products and steer clear of paper towels or clothes, as these can scratch the lenses. Apply the cleaner to the cloth first, then gently clean the lenses to prevent any damage.
- Correct Handling Practices: Always grasp your glasses by the bridge, avoiding the lenses or arms. This helps prevent the frames from becoming misaligned and minimizes the chances of smudging or scratching the lenses.
- Storage Advice: When not wearing your glasses, place them in a durable case to prevent scratches and protect against other physical damage. Do not leave your glasses in places subject to high temperatures or humidity, such as on a car dashboard, since extreme temperatures can distort the frames and damage the lens coatings.
Avoiding Common Hazards
To keep your lenses in top condition, it’s important to be aware of and avoid common hazards:
- Scratches: Place your glasses in their case when not in use. Never lay the glass lens down on surfaces.
- Chemicals: Protect your optical lenses from exposure to harsh chemicals found in hair sprays, perfumes, and cleaning products, which can deteriorate the lens coatings.
- Moisture and Heat: Avoid using hot water on your lenses, which can damage the coatings. Instead, use lukewarm water and a small amount of gentle, lens-safe soap for tougher grime.
Routine Professional Maintenance
Regular visits to an optician can help extend the life of your glasses significantly:
- Professional Adjustments and Repairs: An optician can properly adjust your frames to fit your face comfortably and check for any necessary repairs that might be needed.
- Professional Cleaning: While daily cleaning at home is essential, periodic deep cleaning by a professional can remove buildup in hard-to-reach areas, like between the lens and the frame.
- Regular Inspections: Have your glasses inspected by a professional annually to ensure there are no small cracks or alignment issues that could affect your vision or lead to bigger problems down the road.
Understanding Lens Coatings
Lens coatings significantly enhance the functionality of your eyeglasses by providing extra features that improve vision, increase durability, and protect your eyes. Here’s a deeper look into how these coatings are applied, their expected lifespan, and the signs of wear that indicate they might need attention or replacement.
Anti-Reflective (AR) Coating
AR coatings are meticulously applied in vacuum chambers, where lenses undergo cleaning, and ion bombardment for surface preparation, and are then layered with metallic oxides to selectively block specific light wavelengths, enhancing clarity and reducing glare.
Typically, these coatings are effective for the lifespan of the prescription, about two years, though this varies with the coating’s quality and lens care. Signs of wear include a rainbow sheen, increased glare in low light, or visible scratches.
For maintenance, use a microfiber cloth with an alcohol-free cleaner designed for AR-coated lenses, avoiding direct spray application and excessive rubbing to prolong the coating’s integrity.
Scratch-Resistant Coating
Scratch-resistant coatings are applied as a clear, hard film made from materials similar to bullet-proof glass to enhance a lens’s resistance to scratches. With appropriate care, these coatings can protect lenses from significant scratches for several years, though they are not completely scratch-proof.
Signs of wear include fine lines or deeper scratches that are noticeable to the touch and can impair visual clarity. To maintain these coatings, handle lenses carefully, store them in a padded case, and clean them with soft, lint-free cloths, avoiding abrasive materials and excessive force during cleaning.
UV Protective Coating
UV protective coatings are typically integrated directly into the lens material, such as in polycarbonate or high-index lenses, providing inherent UV protection.
These coatings are designed to last the lifetime of the glasses, assuming normal use, without degradation. Since wear on UV coatings isn’t visibly detectable, if lenses are old or physically damaged, their effectiveness may be compromised.
To maintain these coatings, regular cleaning with appropriate solutions and proper storage is essential to prevent any reduction in their protective capabilities.
Advanced Handling and Care
Understanding how to handle specific situations can also help in maintaining your glasses:
- Addressing Scratches: Should your lenses become scratched, seek advice from a professional regarding potential remedies. Sometimes, polishing can minimize the visibility of scratches.
- Replacing Lenses and Frames: If your frames break or your prescription changes, getting a suitable replacement promptly ensures you continue to enjoy optimal vision.
- Custom Adjustments: For those with unique facial features or special needs, custom adjustments by a skilled optician can ensure the best comfort and functionality of your glasses.
