There’s a reason why glasses are sold with a case. Whenever your glasses are not on your face, it’s best to store them in a protective case to keep them safe and scratch-free. As any glasses wearer can tell you, it’s extraordinarily frustrating to notice a scratch on your lenses. Not only does a scratch make it more difficult to see, but also it can hurt your ability to focus (which can cause headaches) and impact the appearance of your glasses. So, can you get a scratch out of glasses? Many DIY methods are touted online, but are they effective? Or will they ruin your glasses?
Can You Get a Scratch Out of Glasses?
So, can you get a scratch out of glasses? Unfortunately, the only way to fully remove a scratch from your glasses is to replace the damaged lens entirely. Attempting to remove scratches from glasses yourself is risky, as you might damage your lens further or strip it of its protective coatings. While it is possible to do, we can’t recommend it. DIY solutions are rarely effective and typically result in a worsened scratch or some other form of damage.
Let’s take a look at some DIY home remedies for scratched lenses that you might see online.
Baking Soda
Some DIYers might encourage you to scrub your lenses with a mixture of baking soda and water to remove a scratch. Although they’ll typically mention using a soft microfiber cloth and a gentle scrubbing motion, the idea is still to wear away the lens coating to make the scratch less visible. Not only will this remove the lens’s protective coatings in that area, but also, even if it works, the scratch will still be present. You won’t be able to remove it completely. In some cases, this method can make the scratch look more pronounced.
Toothpaste
Similar to the baking soda method, some people recommend rubbing scratched lenses with toothpaste. Again, the goal is for the tiny abrasive particles in the paste to wear away the lens coating to minimize the scratch. Different kinds of toothpaste will produce different results, of course, with gel toothpaste and whitening toothpaste often being especially harsh. And as with baking soda, the scratch will not disappear completely; it may be minimized, or it may look even worse.
Polishing
Polishing your glasses may seem like a good idea in theory, but it’s never a good idea to use rough materials to buff out scratches in your lenses. This will only make the lens rough and unclear.
Glass Etching Products
A glass etching product will eat away at the lens’s coating, which will remove the scratch but will also remove the lens’s protective coatings. Furthermore, if you leave the etching product on too long, it will damage the lens.
Wax
Applying wax (which is more opaque than your lenses) to a scratched lens is a terrible idea. While it might “fill” the scratch, it will make the lens harder to see through and may make the scratch more noticeable.
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You might be wondering if an optician can fix your scratched lens using professional equipment. In most cases, this simply isn’t possible. Once a scratch is deep enough, the lens is ruined, and the best solution is to replace it entirely. This will ensure clear vision and beautiful glasses. However, if the scratches are very faint and shallow, an eye care professional may be able to remove them without causing further damage.
If you do choose to replace the lens, make sure that your new lens has a scratch-resistant coating to protect against future damage!
Are you looking to repair or replace your eyeglasses? Stop by Heffington’s if you live in southwest Missouri. Since 1975, the Heffington family has been assisting the Springfield community with top-quality eye care and affordable eyeglasses and contacts. One of the unique features of our family-owned business is that we manufacture lenses at our own laboratory, giving us total control over the service and pricing, and we’re happy to pass our savings on to you. To learn more about our products and services, please get in touch with us online, send an e-mail to asktheexperts@heffingtons.com, or give us a call at 417-869-3937 (Optiland location) or 417-882-3937 (House of Vision location). We look forward to hearing from you!