Almost anyone who wears eyeglasses has experienced an “oops” moment when glasses drop to the floor or get lost in a crowded bag and end up scratched. When scratches are deep and detract from vision, the only option may be a visit to the optician. However, there are many inexpensive options for buffing out lighter surface scratches yourself, saving time and money. Depending on the degree of scratching, one method may work better than another for your glasses, so some experimentation may be required.
Instructions
1 Apply a small amount of nonabrasive toothpaste to a soft cotton cloth. Rub the eyeglass lens gently in circular motions until the scratches are gone. Rinse the lens and dry with a soft cloth. Instead of toothpaste, you can create a thick paste by blending a small amount of baking soda with water (See Reference 1).
2 Purchase a DVD/CD repair kit at an electronics or drug store. Spray the DVD/CD repair solution on the eyeglass lens and gently buff with a soft cloth. Repeat until scratches are buffed away. Instead of the DVD/CD repair solution, a wax-based furniture polish can be applied to the lens to buff out scratches in the same way (See Reference 2).
3 Use Armour Etch, a glass-etching compound, for deep scratches on plastic lenses. Available at craft stores, this solution contains hydrofluoric acid, which removes the outer coating on plastic lenses. Apply a thick coating to each side of the lens and let it sit for five minutes. Rinse and wipe dry. If your lenses are glass, do not use this solution because it will cause further damage.
Tips & Warnings
If eyeglass scratches are too deep to remove on your own, visit an optician for professional repair or a new pair of lenses..