Maintenance tips for new eyewear
When it comes to prescription lens care, there’s a simple rule that, if followed, will virtually guarantee years of optimum performance from your glasses: If they’re not on your face, then keep your eyeglasses in a case. Trouble is, no one really follows this rule all the time. If you, like many of us, don’t always use a sturdy case to store your prescription glasses, the following lens care and maintenance tips will go a long way toward maintaining your glasses.
Cleaning glasses and protecting your lenses
Keep it clean. Keep it simple. To wash your prescription eyeglass lenses, gently rub them clean with your fingers in warm, soapy water. Rinse them, and then pat them dry with a clean, soft cloth. Many optical suppliers sell ultra-fine, machine-washable microfiber lens cleaning cloths that trap dirt and dust. Try to avoid rubbing prescription lenses with rags, facial tissues, or paper towels, as they can scratch them. And definitely avoid using household cleaners, acetone, or soaps with cream, as chemicals may damage your frames.
A strong case for storage
Storing your lenses in a sturdy protective case whenever you are not wearing them will go a long way towards preventing scratches on your lenses. Proper storage also helps to keep prescription eyeglass lenses clean while protecting your valuable frames. Never place prescription glasses in a purse, pocket, or bag unprotected.
Let them down gently
If setting your prescription lenses on a table or desk, it’s best to close your frames first before laying them down. Always set them frame-side down to avoid scratching the lenses. The floor is never a good place to leave your glasses. And when in the bathroom, remember: A sink or vanity top puts your lenses in an unfavorable position.
Keep glasses on your nose, not on your head. Prescription eyeglass lenses are designed to rest on your nose in front of your eyes. Frames can become misaligned on your head, making even the cleanest of lenses less than effective.
Many of us don’t realize how critical proper eyeglass frame alignment really is. But it’s why eye care professionals check and double-check the position of our eyeglass frames relative to our face shape and size.
Caring for eyeglass frames
Eye care professionals suggest using both hands when putting on and taking off your glasses to avoid twisting or misaligning them. Gently grasp the frame arms of your glasses with equal pressure and slide them on, lifting them over your ears. Use the same grip to remove them, sliding them up and forward.
Periodically check your eyeglass frames for misalignment and loose screws in the frame arms. If the eyeglass frame looks twisted, or if your lenses seem to ride unevenly on your nose, then it’s time to visitCedar Hills Vision Clinic for an adjustment.
Adjusting your eyeglass frames is not a do-it-yourself job. Our Portland opticians are trained to know how your lenses need to be positioned relative to your eye. Also, an eyeglass frame can contain fragile materials and design elements. You might just snap them in your effort to fix them.
Have Questions about your eyeglasses?
Not on your head, not on the floor, not by the sink. If you have questions about how to care for your new designer frames, feel free to stop by or contact our team at Cedar Hills Vision Clinic in Portland, OR.