JUN 23

The Proper Care of High-Index Eyeglasses

If you are one of the many individuals out there with especially thick eyeglass lenses, you may be considering purchasing a pair of glasses with high-index lenses. The freeing feeling of these incredibly lightweight lenses can be a huge relief. These lenses are especially nice for those who find their glasses slipping on a regular basis, or find the weight of their current eye-wear to be uncomfortable.

That said, high-index lenses are on the pricey side when compared to other options. Therefore, many customers are hesitant to make such a large investment on something that may not last as long as they would like. After all, we all know just how quickly a pair of glasses can deteriorate and become unusable.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take in order to help ensure your eyeglasses stay in tip-top condition and last as long as possible. Because these steps are so important to the well-being of your eye-wear, we have taken it upon ourselves to gather them into list form.

We encourage you to use the tips in this list to keep your high-index eyeglasses in like-new condition for as long as possible, thereby increasing their lifespan by months or even years.

— Proper Usage —

We all know how fragile a pair of glasses can be. One wrong move, and your source of clear vision can be gone. Therefore, it is crucial that you use your eye-wear properly and carefully.

Here are a few tips for doing just that:

  • Consider the Activity Level — High-index lenses are more fragile than other kinds of lenses. Therefore, if you frequently take part in sports or other highly active hobbies, it is best to have a pair of glasses with shatter-proof lenses, along with a strap set aside for those especially active times. This will protect your high-index lenses from damage while still allowing you to see while being active.
  • Put Them On Carefully — Did you know there is a correct way to put on glasses? By knowing the proper way to go about this, you can avoid stretching and otherwise damaging the frames of your glasses. To properly put on your glasses, simply hold them gently but firmly by the arms using both hands. Slide the arms gently over your ears and continue pushing them into place by the temples of the glasses. This method of putting the glasses on puts the least amount of strain on both the frames and hinges, ensuring they continue to fit properly for years to come.
  • Remove Them Properly — Just as putting your glasses on correctly is important, taking them off the right way is also crucial to increasing their lifespan. To remove your glasses, simply tip them with both hands by the temples and pull them up and away from your face. This method ensures the hinges are not being stretched and skewed. It also keeps your hands away from the lenses, something that can help increase the life of your high-index lenses.
  • Wear Them in the Correct Position — Many people will pull their glasses down to the tip of their nose while reading or even move them to the top of their head when they feel the eye-wear is in their way. However, neither of these positions are good for the frames of glasses. Therefore, eye-wear should only be worn as intended in order to avoid damage.

— Regular Cleaning —

Cleaning your high-index glasses is the most basic form of maintenance and a task you will find yourself doing on a regular basis. Unfortunately, many eye-wear owners are unaware of the correct way to clean a pair of glasses. This often leads to damaged lenses, something you certainly don’t want.

Here are some instructions to help ensure you are using proper cleaning techniques:

  • Rinse First — Glasses accumulate a lot of debris throughout the day. Unfortunately, much of this debris has the potential to scratch at the anti-glare coatings on high-index lenses. Because of this fact, it is best to gently rinse your glasses with warm water before cleaning them. This removes the abrasive debris, making it safe to give the lenses a wipe-down.
  • Avoid Cleaning Products — While you may occasionally be tempted to give your glasses a good cleaning with a household cleaner found under the sink, this is really not a good idea. Some cleaners are abrasive and can cause scratches to your fragile high-index lenses. Others contain chemicals that can cause damage to the anti-glare coating on the lenses. Therefore, it is crucial that you stick with a simple solution of warm water and mild soap for thorough cleanings.
  • Choose Your Cloth Wisely — Rough cloth can cause damage to your lenses in the form of small but noticeable scratches. On the other hand, a cloth that tends to give off a good amount of lint will end up adding annoying fuzz to your eye-wear. To avoid these issues, don’t wipe your glasses with the first towel or shirt-end you see. Instead, opt for a soft, lint-free cloth (such as microfiber) and ensure it is clean before you use it.

— Safe Storage —

How and where you store your glasses can affect their lifespan just as much as cleaning and usage can. For this reason, we highly recommend that every eye-wear user learn the correct way to store their glasses. This little bit of knowledge can make a world of difference in how well your eyeglasses hold up.

Consider these tricks when storing your eye-wear:

  • Purchase a Storage Case — A hard storage case should be purchased right along with your glasses. This is especially true for those investing in the more breakable and more costly high-index lenses. Keep your storage case clean and in good condition.
  • Place the Lenses Up — If your case is unavailable for any reason, but you must remove your glasses, fold the arms of the eyeglasses and place them on a flat surface with the lenses facing up. Do this only in a low-traffic area away from children, pets, and activities that could damage the glasses.
  • Avoid Heat — You probably know there are certain things that should never be left in a hot vehicle or overly warm room. However, did you know that high-index lenses are one of those things? Leaving your glasses in a hot car can cause the anti-glare coating and the lenses to expand, causing cracks and other problems with the lenses.
  • Clean Before Storing — As mentioned before, sand, dirt, and other bits of debris have a tendency to make themselves at home on your eye-wear. Unfortunately, this means your glasses are often packed away with these abrasive items still resting there. As the glasses are jostled about, the sand and dirt act like sandpaper, roughing up the lenses on your glasses. For this reason, it is important that you always clean your glasses before storing them. This becomes especially crucial when you are spending time outdoors.

Repairs —

Sometimes, no matter how carefully you care for your glasses, they break. Accidents happen and things wear out over time. When this happens, you may be tempted to attempt to repair your glasses on your own. While this can be done in some cases, it does not always work, and it is important to know what constitutes a DIY job and what should be carried out by a professional.

Here are a few thoughts on the subject:

  • Toss the Tape — When your frames break, it often seems like a good idea to simply tape the pieces back together. However, this really is not the best option. Taping frames back together causes the glasses to fit improperly, something that can cause the glasses to become warped irreparably.
  • Skip Buffing out Scratches — If you find you have a multitude of tiny scratches on your lenses, it is likely that someone will tell you to buff those out with an abrasive cleaner. While this will get rid of the most shallow scratches, it will also remove the anti-glare coating on your high-index lenses. Because these particular lenses are especially prone to causing glare, this can cause enormous problems for the user.
  • Tighten Loose Arms — One task you can do on your own is tightening loose hinges. By staying on top of this bit of maintenance you can rest assured your glasses are fitting correctly at all times, ensuring they remain in their proper shape throughout their lifetime.

By keeping these simple tips and tricks in mind, you are certain to get the most out of your high-index eyeglasses. This will help make sure your investment is a worthwhile one while simultaneously ensuring you aren’t left without glasses due to damage. Clearly this is a good situation to be in, and one we recommend you strive for throughout your lifetime.

Are you looking to purchase a pair of high-index eyeglasses? We would love to help you out! Please have a look around our store and let us know if you have any questions.

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