Common frustration faced by people who wear glasses: you clean your glasses until they shine, and then you check them after a few minutes, only to find yourself staring at an ugly and greasy smudge straight in the eye! Like you’re constantly struggling with the inevitable dust, dirt and haze that keeps building up once you leave the house. And yet we always go for that quick fix by wiping our glasses on the tip of our shirt or a tissue.Millions of people depend on prescription glasses each day, yet we have not received any training on the right way to clean our glasses. People assume that lenses are pieces of tough glass, but modern lenses are complex optical devices. They contain advanced coatings such as anti-reflective coating and scratch-resistant coating. When you clean your glasses improperly, you remove dust but also gradually wear away the coatings. This makes it easier for oils to stick to the surface of the lens.How the ways you love most wear out your glassesThe biggest cause of smudges is the presence of oils from the skin and proteins from the eyelashes. When you dry-wipe using a piece of cloth or your shirt, you spread the natural oils over the lens. The oils leave an invisible layer on the lens that attracts dust particles easily. Even worse, there are popular cleaning tips, such as toothpaste and ammonia-based cleaners, which will ruin the polished surface of the lens.According to research in the Polymers journal, there is an important balance when it comes to cleaning delicate optical surfaces. As far as the results of the research are concerned, it appears necessary to apply certain pressure to remove proteins; however, it may lead to abrasion and damage to the surface due to the improper material used.Forget about the rough and tough scrubbing. What works best is to actually dissolve the oils, rather than simply rubbing them away. However, many people miss the obvious – regular dish soap that is pH-neutral. Adding just one drop of soap without any lotion to warm water will help dissolve the oils that are only spread around by a dry cloth. Such a dissolving process is not as harsh on coatings that protect your glasses from damage.The medical experts’ technique for clear vision all day longWhen you need more than temporary relief and expect several hours of crystal clear view after cleaning, you should follow the medical experts’ example. When working with delicate glass tools, doctors make sure that all traces of residues are cleaned to prevent anything from hindering the clear view through the glass. Special detergents may be used in such cases.
Avoid harsh chemicals and dry wiping. Simple habits like keeping glasses in a case also prevent grime buildup for consistently clear vision.
Efficacy of Cleaning Methods for Ophthalmic Microscopic Instruments research concluded that conventional wiping is prone to leaving behind resistant layers of oily deposits, such as silicone oil or organic liquids. In essence, this means that there is only one guaranteed method of achieving complete cleanliness of the instrument, which involves multiple steps and disintegration of the fatty layer rather than redistribution of its elements. On the practical level, this means favouring water-based cleaning over dry cleaning techniques.What seems like an easy routine proves itself to be the most effective way of keeping glasses clean. Begin by rinsing your eyeglasses using a soft and warm stream of water to remove the dirtiest parts, including sand and dust that could scratch your lenses. Apply a small amount of dish soap on your fingers and carefully rub it all over the surfaces of lenses and frames with particular attention paid to the areas of the nose pads where natural oils usually settle. Rinse and wipe the glasses dry with a lint-free cloth not pre-treated with fabric softeners.A couple of tricks for staying smudge-free for the whole dayBesides following the instructions on how to clean glasses, some habits should also be taken into account in order not to damage lenses or make them become dirty sooner. The first one is the application of hair sprays and other styling products. They can easily spread around to get stuck on your glasses and cause a bunch of dirt to accumulate.Another common mistake is leaving glasses on the bathroom counter while you shower or get ready. Aerosolised oils from soaps and perfumes can settle on the glass, creating a film before you even step out the door. Keeping your glasses in a hard case when they are not on your face is the simplest way to extend the time between cleanings and protect them from environmental debris.Using the mild soap technique as opposed to the vigorous wipe method ensures that the surface of the lens is not destroyed. It is important to note that smooth surfaces do not get dirty easily. Therefore, by keeping your lenses smooth, oils will not stick to them, thus giving you clear vision all day long.
