Your glasses go through a lot, and however careful you may be, there is always a chance that your lenses will get scratched or smudged in the hustle and bustle of life. But even the tiniest scratch to your glasses could impact your vision.
There are several home remedies, like toothpaste and baking soda, that claim to fix scratches on your glasses, however these methods tend to do more harm than good to your lenses. To help, our experts have debunked some common quick fixes for scratched lenses and explain how they can be fixed properly
Will toothpaste remove scratches from my glasses?
We wouldn’t recommend using toothpaste on any glasses lenses, as you can end up causing more damage to your lenses in the process. Abrasive chemicals within toothpastes can scratch the glasses’ lens surface and can cause more damage by eroding away any specialist lens treatments, UV protection or sun tint. For sunglasses, this can also damage the dark tint and coatings that help to keep your eyes protected from UV damage. With these treatments altered, you’ll likely find that your glasses don’t correct your vision and appear opaque, smudged or blurry, no matter how well you clean them.
Can I use baking soda to remove scratches from my glasses or sunglasses?
Just like toothpaste, we’d never recommend using baking soda on your scratched lenses as you’re likely to cause more damage. Baking soda can actually warp your lenses and erode away important lens treatments. With the lens surface altered, your glasses might not work as they should, and the lenses may also turn cloudy or dull after the treatment is damaged, which can further obscure your vision. For sunglasses, this will likely damage the tints and coatings that keep your eyes protected from UV damage.
So, while home remedies may seem like quick fixes to a relatively small lens scratch, you actually run the risk of causing permanent damage to your lenses in the long run. So it’s best to visit your optician to have them checked by a professional.
Can I get my lenses repaired at an opticians?
If you notice a scratch on your lenses, or any damage to your glasses or sunglasses, your optician can advise you on the best solution for you. In store, we can use a specialist lens cleaning spray to identify whether they’re scratched, or whether something may have got stuck onto the lens surface.
Unfortunately, it’s not possible to repair a scratch on your lens as it will have caused permanent damage to the lens surface or treatment. If a scratch is found, your optician can order a new pair of lenses to fit your frames. This is done at your request, but we’d always recommend replacing your lenses if the scratch is within your line of vision.
When you get new glasses or prescription sunglasses, your optician will remind you of everything you need to know about taking care of your lenses and how to keep them clean and scratch-free in the future. They’ll also make small adjustments to the fit of your frames to make sure they fit comfortably and securely, so they won’t fall off or get damaged.
How can I prevent scratches on my glasses and sunglasses?
Properly storing your glasses and sunglasses in a protective hard case when you’re not wearing them is a simple thing you can do to protect them from everyday wear and tear.
When buying your glasses, you can also ask the optician about any extra lens treatments that can help keep your glasses looking spic and span. We include a scratch-resistant treatment on all our glasses as standard, but an UltraClear SuperClean lens treatment is also a good option if you’re really worried about scratches or keeping your glasses clean. These lenses are scratch resistant to help keep lenses in tip top condition, anti-static to help repel hairs and fibres and are smudge resistant to help keep them clean.
See our complete range of lens treatments to help protect your glasses.
How to prevent your glasses from smudging
If you see a smudge or mark on your glasses, we know how easy it is to just quickly wipe your lenses with anything you have to hand — the corner of a jumper, a tissue, whatever’s closest. But doing this can end up pushing around dirt or dust on your glasses, or even cause fine scratches.
What not to do
You should avoid using clothing to clean your lenses as some fibres can cause tiny scratches and small amounts of damage. We also wouldn't recommend using hot water and washing-up liquid to clean your lenses, as this can have the opposite effect and actually make them cloudier.
How to clean your glasses correctly
Make sure your hands are clean before touching your lenses — you don't want dirty fingerprints on your glasses or sunglasses. Spray your lenses front and back with a lens spray (your optician will be able to recommend one suitable for your lenses). Then use a soft microfibre lens cloth to dry them off, or alcohol-free lens wipes are a convenient way to clean your lenses when you’re out and about. You can find more helpful tips on how to clean your glasses here.
For more information on lens and glasses care, visit our FAQ page where you’ll find lots of advice from our experts. Or, if it’s style inspiration you’re looking for, check out our #LoveGlasses blog.