Caring for your Prescription Spectacles

Caring for your prescription spectacles is a worthwhile investment of your time. Your frames and lenses are a valuable purchase, so if you establish good habits now and treat them with proper care, they should last you a long, long time!

Cleaning your spectacles

Your prescription spectacles should be cleaned regularly, so they retain their clarity and help prevent the lens scratching. Also, it’s not a good look if other people can see that they are dirty!

To clean your glasses of any fingerprints and smudges, simply wipe the lenses with a soft lint-free cloth, such as a microfibre lens cloth. To remove dirt or grit, rinse your glasses under cold water and lightly pat dry (don’t wipe) with a tissue to remove the excess water. You can then use a microfiber cloth to polish the lens clean.

If you find that your lenses are particularly dirty, a superior clean may be achieved by using a lens spray, followed by a polish with your lens cloth.

It’s best to use a microfibre lens cloth on your glasses as they are very effective and gentle on your lenses. Regularly wash your lens cloth in a cold machine wash, remembering not to include fabric softener as this will leave residue on your lenses.

Be careful of improper cleaning

Improper cleaning can lead to scratches which reduce the clarity of your lenses that cannot be removed.

Tissues can scratch a dry lens as they leave rather coarse particles on the surface, so only use tissues delicately on a wet lens. It’s best not to use perfumed tissues (such as eucalyptus) as they contain oils which can cause smudging. Using a cloth or your shirt may have embedded dirt, so it’s always best to steer clear of these too.

Always avoid wiping or rubbing dry your lenses, as this is often when they scratch. Patting dry will give you the best results.

Coatings don’t like heat, so make sure the water isn’t to warm when rinsing under water or you could damage the coating on your lens.

Protecting your spectacles

To avoid misalignment of your frames, always use both hands when taking off your glasses. By using only one hand, you will put the frames under stress and they may distort.

To prevent accidental scratching, it’s always best to place your glasses in their case as soon as you take them off. For some reason if you don’t have your case with you and you have to put your glasses down, always make sure that the lenses are not touching anything. Never lay your spectacles face down as this will scratch the centre of the lens. And although tempting at times, never put them in your pocket or bag without the proper protection!

A few tips that you may not know, is to always be careful when using hair sprays, perfume or other personal care products as they can damage the lens coating and reduce your vision. Perspiration and exposure to the sea air can also damage the lens coating, so ensure you clean your glasses regularly.

And last but not least, excessive heat can distort your glasses, so never store them in strong Australian sunlight, such as the dashboard of your car.

To order your cheap spectacles online, simply choose a frame and lenses and enter your prescription. By law, optometrists must supply you with a copy of your prescription upon request. We have a wide selection of high quality discount spectacles online to choose from, including standard frames, bendable, designer, semi-rimless and rimless.