Why do my glasses need cleaning all the time?

There are 4 main contributing factors why you may be constantly cleaning your glasses.

1. Fitting of your glasses

If your glasses aren’t fitting correctly, then you are more likely to be touching and adjusting your frame. If your glasses are fitting too close to your face, then your eyelashes may be touching the lenses which will cause them to mark and smudge.

2. Handling of your glasses

How well do you look after your glasses? Some people will treat them with the utmost care, others won’t. On the collection of your spectacles, you will generally be provided with a case for your glasses. We advise that if your glasses aren’t on your face keep them in the case. We advise taking them off with two hands, from each arm of the glasses. If you start taking them off with one hand, or by the from the frame, the lenses are more likely to get dirty and smudged.

This will be more common for people who don’t keep their glasses on all day e.g. people who use their glasses solely for reading or on the computer.

3. How to clean glasses

Most opticians provide their patients with a microfibre cloth to clean their glasses. This is vital as it is not impregnated with any solution which can cause your lenses to scratch or to break down. You can wash your cloth and reuse it. Lens cleaning sprays are the best solution for cleaning your lenses, with the aid of your microfibre cloth. Do not use washing up liquid, anti-bacterial wipes, tissues, your jumper, or your tie to clean your glasses as this will definitely damage your lenses.

4. What features do your lenses have in your glasses?

This is one of the main areas which dispensing opticians are there to educate you and advise you, on what will be the best for your glasses. Most people in the past have been provided with basic anti-reflection lens. These are designed to reduce ‘glare’ and cut down the scatter of light, giving the wearer better vision & increased clarity. However, the basic anti-reflection lenses tend to smear a lot and attract dust. We advise our patients an anti-reflection lens which is water repellent and grease repellent. People have also had problems with the coating breaking down and finding it almost impossible to look through.

If you still feel like you’re constantly cleaning your glasses, but aren’t sure why all you need to do is give local optometrist a call.