Eyeglasses can be tools whose care is not so simple due to fairly frequent stains, marks, fingerprints and glazes … have you ever wondered how it is possible to keep them in good condition until the next eye exam? Would you like to use them without leaving unsightly traces? So, read on.
Steps
Step 1. Remove them using two hands instead of one
Doing so will keep the temples straight and aligned correctly. By pulling them off with one hand, you risk pulling them and weakening them.
Step 2. Don't put glasses on your head
They can be deformed, dropped and damaged.
Step 3. Try not to push them on the nose, putting your finger in the space between the eyes, if they have a metal frame
In this way, you will weaken the nose pads and the central part of the frame and, if they are colored, you risk deteriorating the enamel visible there. Instead, grab the lenses by putting your thumb down and fingers up and then bring them to where you want them to rest on your face.
Step 4. Purchase a microfiber eyeglass cloth
They are usually found in optical shops, pharmacies and supermarkets for little money. To clean your glasses, hold them steady with one hand. Rinse the lenses with clean water to remove any residual dust or dirt. Take the cloth in your favorite hand and rub it gently on both sides of the lenses until you see no more stains. Breathe gently on them to bring out all the spots that were not visible before and clean quickly, before it evaporates. Never use:
- Clothes - dirt trapped in the fibers can scratch the lenses
- Towels or paper handkerchiefs - these fabrics scratch the lenses
- Dirty microfiber cloths - when using the microfiber cloth, it is good to put it in the glasses case; if it gets dusty, it will scratch the lenses instead of cleaning them.
Step 5. Use a prepared solution to dissolve any stains
Still not happy? Buy a lens cleaning spray, available at the aforementioned outlets. Spray a small amount on both sides of each lens and repeat the operation described above.
Step 6. Purchase an eyeglass repair kit
They can be found at the checkout counters of some supermarkets, well-stocked pharmacies, opticians and ophthalmology studios. Sometimes the screws holding the arms can loosen, preventing grip on the sides of the head. You can also get a small screwdriver and tighten the screws yourself, or you can go to the ophthalmologist who will fix them.
Step 7. Adjust your glasses once or twice a year
This passage agrees with the previous one. If you go back to where you bought your glasses every six or twelve months, they will most likely have them adjusted for you for free. The optician will examine the wear, tighten the loose screws, double-check the size, just like the first day you bought them, and make them look as good as new. Usually all necessary spare parts are provided free of charge or for a nominal fee. Often, this service is free in every optical shop, even if you haven't bought your glasses there.
Step 8. Store your glasses in a case when not in use
Get a free case from your optician or buy it. When you remove them, store them inside to prevent them from being scratched. The best are those that open and close unlike the cases in which to put the glasses. Even in the movement to store them it is possible to rub against the lenses and cause minimal scratches that the eyes perceive as glazing. Debris, scratches or slight grooves will make it more difficult to see through the lens, especially at night or in dark environments (the light will break on the scratches, creating halos and prisms). If you do not use a case, when you remove them, at least make sure that the lenses are facing upwards, away from any surface.
Advice
- Don't leave your glasses anywhere you might step on them.
- Be kind to the optician. Treat him with respect. It can help you tighten the frame or solicit an order for you. Well behaved customers are always appreciated.
- Remove your glasses before spraying hairspray, perfume or cologne. Not only can they damage the lenses, but also dirty them along with the nose pads.
- Don't sleep with glasses!
- Clean the frame to prevent makeup and dead skin from forming greenish or dark spots on the nose pads or elsewhere. Optical cleaners are fine, like water and soap. The optician, and your face, will thank you for the cleanliness.
- 70% isopropyl alcohol is an excellent substitute for expensive solutions for cleaning glasses. It is the main ingredient of most or all detergents and, usually, what it lacks is only the color and perfume.
- Consider purchasing an ultrasonic cleaning machine. Usually, it's the dirt that lurks in the scratch you notice. An ultrasound will chase it out and also clean the areas between the lenses and the frame. Check the auction sites to find out if there is any bargain. Warning: do not use the ultrasound machine frequently. Repeated use can cause microscopic incisions on the entire surface of the glass, degrading the image quality through the lenses.
Warnings
- Avoid the use of cords that keep the glasses hanging, once removed. It is not very safe to keep them hanging around the neck and they risk coming into contact with different things (and therefore being easily scratched).
- Be careful not to overtighten the temple screws. There is a risk of forcing the frame around rimless lenses and causing them to pop out.
- Never leave the glasses on the dashboard of the car or in any other place near a heat source that can damage the lens coating or, if the frame is made of plastic, this risks melting or deforming.
