How to Properly Care for Your Eyeglasses

Your eyeglasses are more than just a vision aid – they’re an investment in your daily comfort, style, and eye health. Taking the time to care for your glasses properly can enhance their lifespan, maintain their clarity, and protect your eyes. Here’s an in-depth look at how to keep your glasses in top shape.

Clean Your Lenses the Right Way

Dust, smudges, and fingerprints can make it harder to see through your lenses and can even scratch them if not removed correctly. Here’s the safest way to clean your lenses:

• Rinse with Lukewarm Water First: Hold your glasses under a gentle stream of lukewarm water. This helps wash away any tiny particles of dust or dirt that could scratch the lenses.

• Use a Gentle Lens Cleaner: Apply a small drop of lens cleaner or mild dish soap (free from lotions or moisturizers) to each lens, gently rubbing it with your fingertips to dissolve oils and grime.

• Pat Dry with a Microfiber Cloth: Use a microfiber cloth to dry the lenses and frames. Avoid using paper towels, tissues, or your shirt, as these can contain fibers that scratch the lens coating over time.

Store Glasses in a Protective Case

Protective cases are your glasses’ best friend. Whenever you’re not wearing your glasses, place them in a sturdy case to prevent accidental drops, scratches, and bending.

• Choose a Hard-Shell Case: Soft pouches may protect from dust but don’t offer much protection against accidental pressure or drops.

• Keep Them Safe and Separate: Avoid storing your glasses with items like keys, pens, or other items that could scratch them.

Avoid High Temperatures and Humidity

Exposing your glasses to extreme heat or humidity can cause damage to the lens coatings and frames. Here’s how to protect them from heat-related damage:

• Don’t Leave Glasses in Hot Areas: Avoid placing your glasses on your car dashboard or near heat sources like stoves or radiators, as the lenses and frames can warp or lose their coating.

• Watch Out for Saunas and Steam Rooms: Steam can impact both the lenses and frame material, especially for plastic frames, which can lose their shape over time.

Handle with Both Hands

Handling your glasses with care can prevent unnecessary wear and tear, and one of the easiest ways to do that is to use both hands when putting them on or taking them off.

• Use Both Hands to Keep Them Aligned: When you handle your glasses with one hand, you risk bending or misaligning the frames. Always use both hands to avoid stretching the frame.

• Avoid Resting Glasses on Your Head: While it might be convenient, placing glasses on your head can stretch the frames and potentially lead to them slipping down your nose.

Visit Eyecare Center of Leesburg for Regular Adjustments

Even with the best care, your frames can loosen or shift over time. Periodic professional adjustments can keep your frames snug and comfortable, ensuring optimal vision.

• Get Free Tune-Ups: Our team at Eyecare Center of Leesburg offers professional cleaning and adjustment services to keep your glasses looking and feeling great.

• Protect Lens Coatings: Professional adjustments help prevent misalignment, which can cause lenses to rub against the frame, potentially damaging coatings.

The Importance of Regular Eye Exams

Your eyeglasses only work as well as your prescription. Over time, your vision can change, and wearing an outdated prescription can lead to eye strain, headaches, and reduced vision clarity.

• Keep Your Prescription Up to Date: Annual eye exams ensure that your prescription reflects your current vision needs. At Eyecare Center of Leesburg, we recommend coming in at least once a year, or as advised, for a comprehensive eye exam.

• Detect Eye Health Issues Early: Beyond updating your prescription, regular eye exams allow for early detection of potential eye health issues, such as glaucoma, cataracts, or retinal issues. Early intervention is key to protecting your long-term vision health.

Keeping Your Eyewear and Vision in Top Shape

Proper care for your eyeglasses doesn’t just preserve your frames and lenses – it also supports your overall eye health and comfort. By cleaning them carefully, handling them with attention, and storing them safely, you’re taking the right steps to make sure they last. Keeping your prescription up-to-date through regular eye exams is equally essential, ensuring that your glasses provide you with the best vision correction possible.

Schedule your eye exam with Eyecare Center of Leesburg to ensure your prescription is current and your glasses are in top condition. Visit our office in Leesburg, Florida, or call (352) 787-1956 to book an appointment today.