Protecting and caring for your eye glasses

After making an investment in a good pair of glasses, it is important to protect that investment by caring for them properly. Most eyeglasses are not cheap, especially designer frames and progressive lenses.Poor handling can lead to a myriad of problems.

If you want your glasses to last longer and stay in a good condition then please observe the following tips{{more}}:

1. Always keep your glasses in a case when you are not wearing them. This will keep them clean and prevent bending, scratching and breakage. Thin wire frames are easily bent.

Once frames are out of shape or are scratched, they can cause eyestrain.

2. Be careful how you put your glasses down. Never rest the lenses on any surface. This may cause deep scratches in the lenses.

3. Always hold them with both hands when taking them off and putting them on. Holding with one hand can cause the screws to loosen.

4. Use special kits to remove superficial scratches. Be careful, because some cleaners can damage specially coated lenses, such as antireflective lenses. With very deep scratches, sometimes it is best to replace the whole lens.

5. Never touch the lenses with your fingers, as this could smear the lenses.

6. Do not wear the frame on top of your head. This can cause distortion or the eyeglass could fall and break.

7. Remove your glasses before going to bed. They may otherwise become twisted.

8. Avoid chemicals, hairsprays, make-up and perfumes touching your eyeglasses, as these could easily cause alterations on the frame and lenses.

9. When cleaning glasses, if possible, rinse them under running water first, before wiping them with a soft lint free cloth. This will remove tiny dust particles that may scratch the lenses when wiping.

10. The best material for wiping your spectacle lenses is micro fiber. Avoid hot water, paper towels, facial tissues, rags and the hem of your shirt or skirt.

11. There are sprays and cleaners available for cleaning your frames and lenses. They are ideal for proper maintenance of your eye glasses.

12. Avoid leaving your eyeglasses in direct sunlight, especially on the dashboard of your car, as this could damage lens coatings and cause frame distortion.

13. Remember to keep the temples clean, as this part of the frame touches the skin most often and would cause oil and sweat to accumulate.

14. Keep your eyeglasses away from small children. Parents of toddlers return most frequently with broken or twisted frames or scratched lenses.

15. Screws in frames will need tightening from time to time. It is safest to have them professionally adjusted by your eye care practitioner. They can be cleaned with the ultrasound cleaners that remove dirt from hard to reach areas, such as the nose pad area.

Take care of your glasses and they will take care of you.

Dr Kenneth Onu is a resident Consultant Ophthalmologist at the Beachmont Eye Institute/Eyes R Us Send questions to: Beachmont@gmail.com

Tel: 784 456-1210