According to an American survey, the most annoying thing about wearing glasses is how dirty they get, and how often they require cleaning. The survey revealed that 93% of wearers clean their glasses on a daily basis, and 64% admit to cleaning their glasses more than once a day. With all the wiping and polishing of glasses that goes on everyday, is it any wonder we break our frames or scratch our lenses from time to time? However, it is possible to avoid the hassle and cost of replacing broken glasses by following a few simple precautions.
1. Wipe your lenses using the micro fibre cloth provided with the glasses as items of clothing, especially those made of natural fibres like cotton or wool, can scratch the surface of the lens.
2. If there are stubborn smears or smudges, use a little ordinary soap and warm water to remove the marks, then dry with the micro fibre cloth. Alternatively, buy a lens cleaning solution from your opticians, if you are wary of using soaps.
3. Don’t place your glasses lens down on a surface as this causes the lenses to become scratched, and can weaken the lenses with time. Try to keep your glasses in their case when not being worn, or keep your glasses facing upwards.
4. Remember to fold the right arm over the left arm. Most glasses frames are designed to fold this way; folding them otherwise may cause the frame to become misshapen.
5. Try not to keep your glasses in conditions where they may experience extreme temperatures e.g. in the car, bathroom or conservatory. Extreme temperatures can cause the frames to warp, putting stress on the lenses, which may break. Titanium frames are a great idea if you work where you may experience extreme temperatures, as titanium doesn’t warp like a polymer frame would.
These simple steps will help you keep your glasses as good as new, sparing you the expense of frequently replacing scratched lenses or bent frames, as well as eliminating the hazard presented by poor vision caused by dirty lenses.