Can My Scratched Eyeglass Lenses be Repaired?

Patients sometimes come into my office with scratched or scuffed lenses on their prescription eyeglasses or sunglasses. In many cases, the lenses are coated with a scratch-resistant finish and are covered by a one-year warranty. If the lenses are less than a year old, I can replace them at no cost to the patient.

However, many patients come in having tried to “fix” the scratch themselves. There are many DIY remedies out there that these folks have found on the internet, usually involving toothpaste, baking soda, chemical polishes, or some other abrasive substance. The problem with these remedies is that they seldom if ever remove the scratch, and during the process any protective or anti-reflective coating is damaged or rubbed off. Also, abrasives are pretty good at their job, so they leave tiny abrasions across the entire surface of the lens, coated or not. So rather than fixing the tiny scratch, these cheap fixes leave you with a hazy, pitted lens that is far worse than it was before the “repair”.

I know that the tiniest scratch can be annoying. Scratches of any size can cause blurred vision, obstructed vision, halos, and glare. These difficulties can make it tempting to try one of the home remedies. More often than not, though, this will leave you with a pair of glasses that are next to useless; thus, a bad situation becomes an emergency. So back away from the Crest and Comet!

As for nonprescription sunglasses, replacement lenses are not as readily available as for prescription. Even with higher-priced nonprescription sunglasses that carry a 90-day or one-year warranty, the lenses are rarely covered. These warranties protect against manufacturer defect; for example, if the glasses have a faulty hinge the manufacturer will repair or replace the glasses. Such warranties do not cover scratched lenses from wear and tear. But, hey, you probably wanted new sunglasses anyway.

At Insight Eyecare, we have a large selection on nonprescription sunglasses. Should you need a prescription lens replaced and it is still under warranty, we can replace it at no cost.

Having said that, I must add that in my experience, anti-reflective coating only lasts about a year. The coating isn’t designed to protect the glasses; it’s designed to protect the wearer from UV and eye fatigue, and to improve clarity and cosmesis (appearance, which matters in our “selfie” taking culture). Through exposure to pollutants, everyday wear and tear, and even proper cleanings, the coating simply breaks down. But were you to wear ANYTHING every single day for a year (shoes, a shirt), it would probably wear out in that time. I think anti-reflective coatings are worth the cost, and you can prolong their life by storing and cleaning your glasses properly.

Dr. Jeff Pinkerton
iCare for you.