Got the right lens cloths? Tips for lens care

Your spectacle lenses are literally your eyes to see the world. So it pays to make sure your lenses are well looked after and maintained. It’s more than having the right lens cleaner or glasses case — although those are important.

Here are 5 great tips to help you take proper care of your lenses and keep them in good condition.

5 tips to look after your spectacle lenses

1. Rinse and spray carefully

Before wiping or cleaning your lenses, make sure to rinse your glasses with water as tiny particles of dust or dirt can settle on your lens. And if you wipe those around on dry lenses, it can be abrasive to them.

Never use household cleaners to clean your lenses as these chemicals may contain ammonia, which can actually tear off any coating that is on your lenses. 

If you’re going to use a chemical, make sure to use sprays or cleaners that are specifically made to clean spectacle lenses.

2. Dry naturally

A great way to keep any additional materials from getting onto your lenses is to air dry your glasses.

If you cannot air dry them, if you are in a hurry, make sure to, wipe your lenses with a soft, lint-free cloth.

3. Use the right cloth

If you use the wrong type of lens cloth, you are literally scratching the surface for damage.

Avoid using paper towels, tissue, or napkins to dry your lenses. All of these materials have a textured surface and can easily scratch your lenses.

And please avoid using your shirt to wipe your lenses. If the clothing is not 100% cotton, the fibers in the fabric will scratch the lenses over time. Your clothing may also have dirt on it, which means the residue ends up transferred to your lenses.

4. Grab, grip and hold your lenses the right way

Like you would hold any precious belonging, make sure to hold your lenses with care.

Hold your frames by gripping the piece that crosses the bridge of the nose. This will keep you from accidentally bending the frame while you clean.

Bent glasses can negatively affect the way you see out of your glasses. And if your frames are bent out of shape, they’re more likely to feel uncomfortable on your ears and nose.

5. Store and place properly

When you’re not using your glasses make sure to store them properly. Use a glasses case.

Not only will you keep dust and dirt away from your spectacle lenses, but it also protects them from getting scratched, bent or broken.

And as you probably know, don’t lay your glasses lenses down. It might seem like simple logic, but sometimes we can forget. Lying your glasses lenses down is just asking for scratched lenses or worse.

And repeat

Make sure to wash your lenses properly at least once a day as this will keep your lenses in their optimal state. The cleaner your glasses, the less your eyes have to strain to see through smudges, dirt and dust. And always store them safely.

You won’t believe how many times people have accidentally sat on their glasses!

You have clean lenses, but are they the right ones?

Finding the right spectacle lenses to meet your needs requires expert advice and that’s where Greenlane Penrose Optometrist can help you. We can discuss available options in depth and advise you on what’s going to work well for you.

If you have any questions about our tips or would like to share your own please email Jenny at jenny@gp-optom.co.nz. Your eye health is always a top priority for us.