If you wear eyeglasses on a regular basis, chances are the lenses have received a fair share of scratches. Special coatings can help make lenses scratch resistant, but accidents still happen. If your eyeglass lenses are scratched, try a few simple suggestions for filling those scratches in before going out and buying an expensive pair of new glasses. Please note, although minor scratches can be filled in, they may not disappear completely.
Fillng in Scratches
Light scratches may be buffed out or polished using a polishing kit. At a cost usually between 10 and 20 dollars, these kits are readily available at your optometrist’s office or local drug store. The process to fill in scratches on your lenses is simple. First, make sure your lenses are clean and free of smudges, smears and dust. Next apply the polish to both sides of your lenses and let the polish sit as long as directed in the instructions. Using a soft cloth (in most kits these are provided), buff the lens until the polish is completely gone.
Make sure you read the instructions before buying a polishing kit. Some kits will not work if your eyeglasses have a non-glare surface or protective coating. If you do not know whether or not your eyeglass lenses have a coating, check with your optometrist.
If you have CD/DVD cleaning solution, use it to fill in the scratches on your eyeglasses. Follow the instructions on the package to clean your lenses. You will apply the solution on the scratched area and remove the excess. These solutions were intended to remove large scratches on digital discs, and they will most likely take care of the scratches on your eyeglass lenses as well.
If you have very minor scratches, try rubbing baby oil directly on the lens. You may have to repeat the process a few times to get the desired effect.
Preventing Scratches
While you may be able to fill in light scratches, making scratches completely vanish is next to impossible. The easiest way to make sure your lenses are scratch-free is to not scratch them in the first place. Follow some basic guidelines to protect your eyeglasses. Clean your glasses regularly with soft soap and warm water. Dirt and sand on the surface can wreak havoc on your lenses. Use an over-the-counter lens cleaner to add protection to your lenses while cleaning them. Store your glasses in a protective case. Keep your glasses away from pets. Optometrist offices are frequently visited by pet owners who didn’t realize their expensive glasses could turn into a chew toy.