Proper Care for Eyeglasses: Tips for Frames and Lenses

Recently, sunglasses have regained style points, even among people who could use lenses instead of contacts. In fact, I bought a pair of glasses last month, hoping to get into the tail end of the geek chick look. Certainly, anyone who buys sunglasses recently can tell you that they are quite the investment, especially if they need a more expensive frame and quality lenses (thank you, God, for that strong insight). Given the cost of sunglasses and the length of time that most people keep a pair of prescriptions, it is important to take care of them properly. Here are a few tips on caring for both lenses and frames.

LENSES

Proper eye care: Use micro-fibercloths specifically for eyeglasses. When the cloth is not in use, keep it in its cupboard (most come in a clear plastic sleeve). Picking up the dust with a cloth will only rub off these particles on the lenses. To care your lenses with a cloth, you need to take care of the cloth too.

Proper Care of Eyeglasses: Blue and warm water are two effective cleaning agents for eye lenses. The same soap dish you use in drinking glasses will work brilliantly on the eye. I recommend Aurora, but it is based on nothing but brand loyalty.

For eye care: Instead of soap and water, you can also use a commercial eye lens cleaner. Often, when you get new glasses, the optician will send you home with a complimentary bottle. This liquid is specially formulated for spoon care and is different from windex and other, harsher household cleaners – so they are not substitutes.

Personal eye care: Just use nothing to dry your glasses. When I saw some things that are used for dry – lining shirts, paper towels, wool sweaters, bath towels, tissues, even toilet paper! The surfaces of these objects are harder for the eye’s lenses. Even if you had your lenses specially coated to prevent them from scratching, there is no chance that your lenses are scratch free. If you use paper towels to dry your lenses every day for a year, they will get scratched no matter how they started. If you find yourself stuck in public without a suit, a soft t-shirt is the best substitute — especially a paper towel.

Personal eye care: Some retailers, including Target, sell pre-disposable lens cloths that are easily totable. While they are not the most efficient part of the package (and quite expensive), they are designed specifically for eyelets and can be kept in a purse or bag.

Personal Care Eyeglasses: Help! I got paint on my glasses! First, calm down…. unless you dip in the paint, you can remove some spots without damaging the glass. Use a nicely placed fingernail and gently scrape away the dark ink and the lenses. Unless it’s ideal, it’s the safest thing you can do. Chemicals that remove paint from hands and clothes should never be used on sunglasses.

FRAMES

Proper eye care: Don’t store your glasses in extreme cold. Especially if you are using plastic boards, prolonged exposure to high temperatures can compromise the integrity of the boards. Many plastic panels are made by casting plastic into molten foam, and these shapes, while suitable for regular use, are left in hot not cars or freezing equipment for extended periods of time.

Proper Care of Eyeglasses: The frames tend to loosen from regular wear. To prevent slippage (and worse “fall-offage”), you’ll want to tighten the arms with a small screwdriver. Most doctors and optical centers sell fitting kits, though if you’re afraid to futz with your glasses, just stop by the place you bought them and ask for a quick adjustment.

Personal eye care: Use hard cover glasses. These days, most new pairs of glasses come in a “hardshell” case to keep their support if dropped. While not foolproof, these are better than soft ones. Also, make sure it stays firmly closed – you can always try a drop without the glass inside to see how the case holds up.

Personal eye care: Buy a lens for special situations. If you can’t use contacts and need to do something physical, place a few bucks in the glasses strap that connects your arms around the back of your head. They are not high

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