Simple habits can make your glasses last longer
With a few small changes to your daily routine, you can keep your glasses in better shape and avoid common types of wear and tear. The way you handle, clean, repair and store your glasses all play a role in how well they hold up over time.
Simple actions can help you take care of your glasses and protect them from everyday wear. By adding these steps to your routine, you can keep your frames and lenses in great shape and avoid the need for early replacements.
Store your glasses safely
Properly storing your glasses can go a long way in making them last. When you’re not wearing them, keep them in a hard eyeglass case to protect them from being dropped, crushed or scratched. This is especially important if your lenses don’t have an anti-scratch coating.
Storing your glasses correctly can also prevent pets from chewing on them or small children from twisting and breaking the frames.
Place the lenses on a clean microfiber cloth inside the case with the arms facing out. If you need to set them down without a case, place the lenses facing up and let the arms rest on the surface. This helps prevent the frame from bending and keeps everything in good shape.
Heat and sunlight can wear down your glasses faster, so avoid leaving them in direct sunlight, in parked cars or near heat sources. High temperatures can damage the anti-reflective lens coating or cause the frames to warp.
Handle your glasses with care
The daily handling of your glasses is important in making sure they remain fitted properly. A few simple ways to make sure your glasses don’t get stretched out or damaged include:
- Using a both-hands removal approach when taking off your glasses – Handling your glasses with just one hand when putting them on or taking them off can cause one arm to shift out of place or snap. Make sure to use two hands when removing or adjusting your glasses in order to keep from misshaping the frames.
- Avoiding placing your glasses on the top of your head – Your glasses should remain on your face properly or be taken fully off. Placing them on the top of your head when not wearing them can alter how they fit over time and risk them falling off and breaking.
- Refraining from adjusting your glasses by the nosepiece – Especially true for wire-rimmed frames, your glasses should not be adjusted by putting pressure on the nosepiece. Instead, use two hands and grasp the top and bottom of the frame to push up your glasses.
Clean them the right way
While it is essential to keep your glasses clean, doing so the wrong way can cause scratches and distort your lenses. To avoid damage when cleaning your glasses, make sure to adhere to the following:
- Use the right cleaning products – Only clean lenses with a specialized cleaner specifically for glasses or with gentle soapy water. Also, make sure to use lukewarm water to avoid heat damage.
- Stay away from harsh chemicals – Refrain from using any high-strength cleaners on your glasses. This includes keeping your glasses away from certain daily items, such as perfumes and hair products.
- Dry carefully – Use a microfiber cloth to dry your lenses. Keep from rubbing your lenses on your shirt or using rough paper towels to clean smudges.
LEARN MORE: The best way to clean your glasses
Keep up with eyeglass maintenance
Loose or missing screws are one of the most common reasons glasses need repair. These tiny parts may be small, but they can lead to bigger problems if not handled early. Repairing broken glasses requires the right tools and screw size, along with careful attention to avoid damaging the frames.
Routine maintenance is one of the best ways to maintain the longevity of your glasses. Along with repairs to tighten screws, you might need to replace the nose pads on your glasses to help them last longer. Both screw and snap-in nose pads can be replaced if they become broken or no longer fit comfortably.
If your glasses feel uneven or uncomfortable, visit an optical shop for a professional adjustment. Most optical stores also offer specialized cleaning with ultrasonic devices to help with tough-to-remove dirt and debris.
These small steps can reduce long-term damage and help extend the life of your frames.
READ MORE: Effective ways to fix scratched glasses
Replace the lenses if your prescription changes
In some cases, you may be able to keep your frames and just replace your lenses with your new prescription. Certain eyeglass retailers allow customers to use their own frames when ordering new lenses. However, it is important to remove old lenses carefully in order to avoid damaging your glasses.
If you need to replace your lenses, it’s best to visit an eye care professional. They can check your frames, help you choose the right lens material and ensure the new lenses are inserted properly.
Have a backup pair handy
Having a backup pair of glasses, especially when you are traveling away from home, is a great way to protect your main pair from unnecessary wear and tear and help them last as long as possible. It’s also a smart idea to keep an extra pair of glasses on hand if your main pair gets damaged or broken.
In other instances, you may decide to have multiple pairs of glasses that vary in both style and function. For example, you may have a pair of glasses for reading and another for driving, or you may own an array of various frames to match your personal, day-to-day style.
Keep up with routine eye exams
During a routine eye exam, an eye care professional can evaluate the overall fit of your frames and make adjustments as needed. These small modifications can make a difference in the longevity and comfort of your glasses.
Your provider can also determine if your prescription is still accurate. If you need a new prescription but want to keep your frames, talk to your provider about the possibility of replacing your old lenses.
Adding simple steps to help take care of your glasses can go a long way. With the right habits and regular check-ins with your eye doctor, your glasses can stay comfortable and last even longer.
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