Your glasses are a vital tool that brings clarity to your life. However, they are susceptible to scratches that can be distracting, impact your vision, and cause eye strain.
Fortunately, you don’t have to replace your lenses every time they get scratched. Cleaning your lenses with mild soap and warm water or a lens cleaner and microfiber cloth can minimize the appearance of shallow scratches.
You can easily find tips on removing scratches using home remedies like toothpaste and baking soda, but they do not work and will only make the problem worse.
To protect the integrity of your glasses, call our team at CHROMA before making modifications to your lenses. If a simple, careful cleaning doesn’t do the trick, we can offer some suggestions (or scratch-resistant coatings) at CHROMA modern Eyewear Eyecare.
Identify the Depth & Type of Scratch
Is the scratch deep or shallow? Can you feel it with your fingernail? Identifying the depth and type of scratch on your lenses can help you decide your next step.
Start by carefully looking at your glasses under bright light and examining how deep the scratches are. Next, determine whether the scratch is a pit or a surface scratch.
Surface scratches only affect the coating of your glasses and are more common; they won’t affect your prescription or lens protection. But, extensive pit scratches or the loss of coatings can impair your vision clarity and decrease UV light protection. Once you know the extent of the damage, you can choose the best solution for your glasses.
Mild Soap & Water
Clean your glasses with a mixture of mild soap and warm water. Gently rub the lenses with a soft microfiber cloth to remove dirt and grime. Sometimes, scratches are only superficial and can be minimized with proper cleaning.
Every glasses purchase at CHROMA also comes with free specialized lens cleaner and a microfiber cloth to keep your glasses looking good, and your vision looking even better.
Consult with Your CHROMA Eye Doctors
If your scratches are more than surface scratches, it is always best to seek professional advice from your optician or optometrist. Your CHROMA doctors have the technology, techniques, and knowledge to help improve your lenses.
Our CHROMA team can also suggest the best course of action based on the type of scratch and the material of your lenses. They may also recommend replacing the lenses altogether.
Invest in a Scratch-Resistant Coating
One of the best ways to avoid scratches in the first place is to invest in a scratch-resistant coating. Manufacturers use materials like diamond-like carbon and polycrystalline diamond to create optically clear, hard films on lenses. This process makes the lens surface durable and scratch-resistant.
These coatings are often applied to your glasses during production and create a protective barrier that makes your glasses less susceptible to scratches.
If you have an active lifestyle or are prone to accidents, adding this layer of protection can save your lenses from scratches in the long run and extend your glasses’ lifespan.
What Won’t Remove Scratches?
There is plenty of advice out there for removing scratches using home remedies. But at best, these methods won’t work; at worst, they’ll make the scratches worse or ruin your lenses.
Toothpaste
Toothpaste is often recommended for removing scratches on the theory that its abrasive properties can help polish out the scratches. However, the abrasive nature of toothpaste can cause further damage or remove protective coatings.
Baking Soda or Salt
Baking soda and salt are sometimes suggested as DIY remedies for removing scratches from lenses, but they’re abrasive and are too harsh for delicate lens surfaces and specialty coatings. Using them may cause further scratches or irreversible damage.
Baking soda and salt can cause warping, erode lens treatments, or make the lenses opaque rather than effectively remove scratches.
Metal Polish
Metal polish is sometimes touted as a 2-for-1 solution for fixing scratches and cleaning lenses but contains abrasives designed to remove fine scratches from metal surfaces, not glass.
Metal polish can damage delicate lens surfaces or remove protective coatings.
Wax
Wax polish, like car wax or furniture wax, is often suggested for fixing scratches on the theory that it can help fill in scratches and improve their appearance.
However, lens materials differ from the surfaces that wax polish is meant for. Wax can cause more damage, interfere with lens coatings that improve clarity, reduce glare, protect against UV rays, and leave a film or residue that impedes vision.
Prevention Is Key
In the end, prevention is the best remedy. If you want to avoid scratches altogether:
- Store your glasses in a sturdy case when not using them
- Avoid placing them face down on hard surfaces
- Avoid leaving them on the dashboard of your car on a hot day
Getting into these habits will help protect your glasses and minimize the possibility of scratches.
Achieving Clear Vision with CHROMA
Your glasses are an investment worth taking care of.
Your eye care team at CHROMA modern Eyewear Eyecare is always here to help. Book your appointment to fix your lenses, update your prescription, or browse for a new pair of frames.
