Eye Q. Do you?

A few tips to remember over the holidays!

A strong case for storage.

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. 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 eyeglasses in a purse, pocket or bag unprotected.

Keep it clean. Keep it simple.

Wash your prescription lenses daily, gently rub your lenses clean with your fingers using mild dishwashing liquid and tap water. Rinse them, and then pat them dry with a clean, soft cloth. Try to avoid rubbing prescription lenses with rags, facial tissues or paper towels, as they could scratch your lenses. And definitely avoid using household cleaners, acetone or soaps with cream—as chemicals may damage your frames. Periodic maintenance of your glasses, including changing your nose pads, can greatly improve the life and look of your glasses.

Let them down gently.

Okay. You don’t always use the case. 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. Spatters, sprays and cosmetic products can quickly soil lenses. What’s more, anti-reflective (AR) treatments can be damaged by hairsprays or perfume.

Keep glasses on your nose, not on your head.

Prescription eyeglass lenses are designed to rest on your nose in front of your eyes; not on the top of your head. Frames can become misaligned in this manner, making even the cleanest of lenses less than effective if not positioned properly in front of the eye.

Check the temperature.

Don’t store the glasses in a place that is too hot or too cold for a long time. Don’t leave your glasses under the sun or shower with the glasses on because the shape could be changed. Leaving your glasses in direct sunlight may cause your lenses to become warped or expand causing the lens to bulge; the heat from the sunlight will cause the frame to expand making the lenses loose.

Be ambidextrous.

Use both hands when you put on or take off your glasses – softly hold the temples of the glasses using both hands to maintain the balance. Otherwise, the frame will become out of shape or the screws will be loosened after a while.

Watch out for screws.

Each time you clean your glasses, check the screws that hold the frame together. Sometimes they become loose, and it is much easier to tighten a screw than it is to find it after it falls out.

With proper cleaning and care, eyeglasses should last several years. Just a few minutes each day to clean and examine them will be worth the effort to prolong the life of your glasses.