{"id":20155,"date":"2021-12-12T08:17:43","date_gmt":"2021-12-12T08:17:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/?page_id=20155"},"modified":"2021-12-12T08:17:43","modified_gmt":"2021-12-12T08:17:43","slug":"scratched-lenses-what-can-i-do","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/general-practice-optometry\/optical\/guide-to-optical-lenses\/scratched-lenses-what-can-i-do\/","title":{"rendered":"Scratched Lenses: What Can I Do?"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2><b>Scratched lenses aren\u2019t just a bother, they can affect your vision and cause headaches.\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n<h2><b>Here\u2019s what you need to know about scratched lenses.<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>You may have heard that scratches on your lenses can be easily removed using certain products such as toothpaste or baking soda, but in the best interest of your lenses, you should never tamper with your lenses without consulting your optometrist first.<\/p>\n<p>If your glasses are scratched, there are things you can do to prevent further lens damage. But, if a number of scratches are interfering with your vision, it may be time to replace your lenses.<\/p>\n<h2><b>What can you do?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>Even a minor scratch on the lens of your glasses can be irritating and obscure your vision.<\/p>\n<p><b>But, while your first instinct may be to wipe the smudge away with the bottom of your shirt, eye care professionals warn against doing so, as it can actually worsen the damage<\/b>.<\/p>\n<p>What you <i>can <\/i>do is:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Rinse the lens using a mild dish soap, or spray the lens with a doctor-approved lens spray, then let it air-dry.<\/li>\n<li>Wipe the lens with a microfiber cloth specifically designed for glasses.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Following these will reduce the risk of dust or lint from a tissue sticking to the scratched part of the lens, causing more damage.<\/p>\n<p>If your lens is scratched to the point where your vision is obstructed and it is causing headaches, it\u2019s time to replace them.<\/p>\n<p><b>SEE RELATED: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/general-practice-optometry\/optical\/guide-to-optical-lenses\/optical-lenses\/\">Optical Lenses<\/a><\/p>\n<p><b>If a lens imperfection is affecting your vision, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/practice-search\/\">contact an eye doctor near you to discuss the best options.<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n\n\t<div class=\"practice-search-widget\">\n\t\t<h3>Find an eye doctor near you<\/h3>\n\t\t\n\t<form class=\"practice-search-form practice-search-form-widget\" action=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/practice-search\/results\/\" method=\"get\">\n\n\t\t<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"distance\" value=\"100\" class=\"practice-search-distance\">\n\t\t<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"page\" class=\"practice-search-page\">\n\t\t<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"address_latitude\"><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"address_longitude\">\n\n\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"address\" class=\"practice-search-address\" placeholder=\"City, Surburb or Address\" value=\"\">\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"distance\" value=\"100\" class=\"practice-search-distance\">\n\n\t\t\n\n\t\t<button type=\"submit\" class=\"practice-search-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg width=\"19\" height=\"19\" viewBox=\"0 0 19 19\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M10.6796 0.130005C9.15708 0.130059 7.66615 0.5646 6.38198 1.38258C5.09781 2.20057 4.07373 3.36803 3.43004 4.74783C2.78634 6.12763 2.54976 7.66246 2.74808 9.17205C2.9464 10.6816 3.57139 12.1033 4.54964 13.27L0.729639 17.08C0.6364 17.1732 0.562439 17.2839 0.511979 17.4058C0.461519 17.5276 0.435547 17.6581 0.435547 17.79C0.435547 17.9219 0.461519 18.0524 0.511979 18.1743C0.562439 18.2961 0.6364 18.4068 0.729639 18.5C0.917942 18.6883 1.17334 18.7941 1.43964 18.7941C1.5715 18.7941 1.70207 18.7681 1.82389 18.7177C1.94571 18.6672 2.0564 18.5932 2.14964 18.5L5.99964 14.62C7.35406 15.6038 8.98566 16.1324 10.6596 16.13C12.7814 16.13 14.8162 15.2871 16.3165 13.7869C17.8168 12.2866 18.6596 10.2517 18.6596 8.13C18.6596 6.00827 17.8168 3.97344 16.3165 2.47315C14.8162 0.97286 12.7814 0.130005 10.6596 0.130005H10.6796ZM10.6796 14.13C9.49295 14.13 8.33291 13.7781 7.34622 13.1188C6.35952 12.4595 5.59049 11.5225 5.13636 10.4261C4.68224 9.32975 4.56342 8.12335 4.79493 6.95946C5.02644 5.79558 5.59788 4.72648 6.437 3.88736C7.27611 3.04825 8.34521 2.4768 9.5091 2.24529C10.673 2.01378 11.8794 2.1326 12.9757 2.58673C14.0721 3.04085 15.0092 3.80989 15.6685 4.79658C16.3277 5.78328 16.6796 6.94332 16.6796 8.13C16.6796 9.7213 16.0475 11.2474 14.9223 12.3726C13.7971 13.4979 12.2709 14.13 10.6796 14.13Z\" fill=\"#fff\"\/><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\n\t\t<button type=\"button\" class=\"practice-search-use-my-location\">\n\t\t\tSearch near me\n\t\t<\/button>\n\n\n\t<\/form>\n\n\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n<h2><b>What not to do?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><b>Do not use toothpaste, baking soda or any other home remedies to try to remove scratches off your lenses.<\/b><\/p>\n<p>Toothpastes contain abrasive chemicals that will not only not remove the scratch but will also damage any <a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/general-practice-optometry\/optical\/guide-to-optical-lenses\/sunglasses\/tinted-lenses-and-mirror-coatings\/do-i-need-coatings-on-my-lenses\/\">protective coatings<\/a> such as hard coat, UV coating, anti-glare treatments or tints.<\/p>\n<p>Baking soda can actually cause a warp to your lenses and also erode away any previous lens treatments. The lenses may also become opaque, which will further worsen your vision and lead to more headaches.<\/p>\n<p>For <a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/general-practice-optometry\/optical\/guide-to-optical-lenses\/sunglasses\/\">sunglasses<\/a>, these abrasives can remove the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/general-practice-optometry\/optical\/guide-to-optical-lenses\/sunglasses\/tinted-lenses-and-mirror-coatings\/\">tints<\/a> and coatings and reduce the lens ability to protect your eyes from UV rays.<\/p>\n<p>While home remedies may be recommended by your well-meaning neighbor as a \u2018quick fix&#8217; to a lens scratch, they can actually end up causing further damage to your lenses, which will only further impact your vision.<\/p>\n<h2><b>Tips for protecting your lenses<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>Here are 4 tips to help you protect your lenses from getting scratched:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">Store your glasses in a hard protective case.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">Avoid leaving your glasses in the car or any other area directly exposed to the sun, as the heat can damage the protective coatings on your lenses.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">Avoid using your clothing or tissues to clean your glasses. While these materials may seem soft, they are actually too abrasive for your fragile lenses.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">Only use gentle dish soap or a doctor-approved lens spray to clean your lenses. Avoid using household glass cleaners that can strip the protective coatings off your delicate lenses.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2><b>What are anti-scratch coatings?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/general-practice-optometry\/optical\/guide-to-optical-lenses\/sunglasses\/tinted-lenses-and-mirror-coatings\/do-i-need-coatings-on-my-lenses\/\">Anti-scratch coatings<\/a> can be applied to your lenses to give them an added layer of protection against damage. If you have children or pets who may accidentally scratch your lenses, this coating is highly recommended.<\/p>\n<p>Unfortunately, once your lenses are manufactured, this specialized coating cannot be added to your glasses, so be sure to request it before you complete your order.<\/p>\n<p><b>LEARN MORE: \u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/general-practice-optometry\/optical\/guide-to-optical-lenses\/\">Guide to Optical Lenses<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n<p><b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/practice-search\/\">Contact an eye doctor near you<\/a> to learn more about protecting your lenses or to discuss the best options for your scratched lenses.<\/b><\/p>\n<p><i>If your glasses are scratched, here\u2019s what you can do to prevent further lens damage.\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n<p><i>If major scratches on your eyeglasses are interfering with your vision, visit your local optometrist to see what can be done or if it&#8217;s time to replace them.<\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Scratched lenses aren\u2019t just a bother, they can affect your vision and cause headaches.\u00a0 Here\u2019s what you need to know about scratched lenses. You may<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1206,"featured_media":20156,"parent":12542,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"template-article.php","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-20155","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Scratched Lenses: What Can I Do? - Optometrists.org<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/general-practice-optometry\/optical\/guide-to-optical-lenses\/scratched-lenses-what-can-i-do\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Scratched Lenses: What Can I Do? - Optometrists.org\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Scratched lenses aren\u2019t just a bother, they can affect your vision and cause headaches.\u00a0 Here\u2019s what you need to know about scratched lenses. 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