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How to Prolong the Life of Your Glasses

How NOT to treat your glasses if you want them to last. They're not meant to do the splits!
How NOT to treat your glasses if you want them to last. They’re not meant to do the splits!

Having to replace a pair of eyeglasses can be expensive. Plus, you spent the time to pick out the perfect frames and you would like to make them last as long as possible. With proper care and a few tips you can prolong the life of your frames and lenses.

First, make sure you are handling your eyewear properly. Always use both hands when putting on and taking off your glasses, holding each of the temples horizontally with your fingertips and making sure not to pull the temples apart or twist the frame. (Believe it or not, wikiHow has a four-step demo on the proper way to put on and take off glasses. Give it a look.)

Lens Care

Over time, debris and the oils from our skin can damage frames and lenses. Always use proper lens cleaner and a clean drying cloth to remove dirt and grime. If you have antireflective coating on your lenses, make sure your cleaner and cloth are approved for the coating. Clean the drying cloth often. Particles trapped in the cloth can cause scratches on lenses or coating. DO NOT use fabric softer when washing the cloth. It will leave behind residue that streaks the lenses.

There are two places for eyeglasses: On your face or in your case.

NEVER wipe your lenses with a paper towel or tissue. Paper products are wood-based, and the tiny splinters will scratch your lenses.

Never set your glasses face down on any surface or leave them on the dashboard of your car.

Check your lenses periodically and clean them as needed. Dust can often be gently brushed away with your cleaning cloth. However, you should never rub dry dust from your lenses.

Frame Care

Taking off glasses is a two-handed job.

Whenever you clean your lenses, take a minute to inspect your frames. Make sure everything looks straight and that the lenses are tightly set. Look for any loose or missing screws, nose pads, ear pads and temples. If you notice anything out of sort, take your eyeglasses to your optician for adjustment or repair. I strongly recommend that you not try to adjust or repair the glasses yourself, as a botched job may void your warranty or render your eyeglasses irreparable.

NOT the safest storage. A case is a better place! (CC photo by JAM Project.)
NOT the safest storage. A case is a better place! (CC photo by JAM Project.)

Even the highest-quality eyeglasses will eventually show signs of wear and tear; however, having your frames checked out and adjusted by an optician periodically may prolong their expected lifespan.

There are two places for your eyeglasses: on your face or in your case. Always store your glasses in a protective case. Remember that desks, countertops and vanities can be precarious places to set your glasses.

Finally, your frames have been adjusted to properly fit YOUR face. Letting someone else try on your glasses or wearing them on the top of your head can stretch or bend the frames.

Dr. Jeff Pinkerton
iCare for you.

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This Post Has 8 Comments

  2. I wish I would have used these tips when I first got my glasses. Over time the anti-reflective coating seems to have developed some flaws. I’ll need to find a way to fix it or get a new pair but I’ll be following these tips to keep my glasses in good shape. Thanks for your glasses tips!

  3. I just got my first set of glasses and I have been having trouble with taking care of them. So far, I have been using paper towels, my jacket or just anything that is on hand to wipe them with. However, I didn’t know that such things could scratch the lenses. I will definitely have to be more careful and I’ll try my best to follow all of your instructions on this post.

  4. I am glad that you mention lens care because your glasses should be taken care of so that they last you a long time. I never thought about avoiding using paper products. I didn’t know that the tiny splinters could cause problems like that.

  6. I had no idea that you shouldn’t wipe your glasses with a paper towel or tissue. My wife wears glasses at night when she takes out her contacts, and I see her constantly having to clean them. I will have to let her know to not use paper based products to clean them.

  7. I didn’t know that you should clean your lens cloth regularly to keep your glasses in good condition. I’m going to be buying a new set of glasses, and I want to make sure they stay in good condition for a long time. Perhaps it would be a good idea to wash my cloth every once in a while so it doesn’t scratch the lenses.

  8. Thanks for the tips for taking care of glasses. I am about to get glasses for the first time, and I want to make sure I know how to take care of them so they last a long time. Thanks for mentioning that the cloth you use to clean your lenses needs to be cleaned itself often. I never thought about that, but it makes sense you would need to remove all the dirt and oil from the cloth! I will be sure to do that.

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