An accident can harm your eyeglasses at any time. Improper storage, falls to the floor and cleaning with the edge of a T-shirt can all cause scratches on the lenses of eyeglasses. If you’re trying to save some money and a trip to the optometrist, learn to remove scratches from eyeglasses. Repairing the lenses early helps to extend their life and limits the number of replacement sets needed.
Armor Etch
Armor Etch, a popular choice to remove scratches, works by removing the lens coating, where most scratches reside. This glass-etching chemical is safe on plastic lenses, but will cause damage to glass lenses. Any products used must not change the thickness of the lens, otherwise the lens will lose its effectiveness, requiring expensive repairs at the optician.
Lens Dr.
Lens Dr., a popular polymer-based scratch repair product for watches, temporarily fills scratches in eyeglass lenses. This scratch filler creates a glossy film on the eyeglass lenses. This glossy film can cause additional glare that may become problematic.
DVD/CD Repair Kits
A DVD/CD repair kit can remove minor scratches. Spray the repair solution provided in the kit on the eyeglass lenses. Buff the surfaces with a soft cloth. Depending on the amount of damage, the eyeglasses may need more than one application. Many people who have used this method of repair follow up with furniture polish to fill in any remaining small scratches.
Furniture Polish
Waxy furniture polish products fill the light scratches on the lenses with wax, making them appear less visible. This will needs to be done every few days because it will wear off. This measure, although temporary, makes an effective quick fix.
Low-Abrasion Cleansers
Bathroom cleansers, toothpaste and baking soda paste remove scratches from eyeglass lenses. They remove any lens coatings, including scratch-resistant and non-reflective coating, where the scratches in eyeglasses commonly found, while leaving the plastic lens intact. These methods, while they will work to a degree on plastic lenses, should be avoided by those who wear glass lenses.
Car Care Products
Car wax or water repellent made for car windshields, when buffed with a soft cloth, can restore eyeglass lenses. Another advantage of using water repellent is that the lenses will become fogproof when coming into the house from the cold.