If there’s one recent innovation within the world of ophthalmology that we love, it’s the introduction of prescription sunglasses. We’re no longer stuck with that awkward transition from indoors to outdoors, where we have to choose between being able to see clearly or being able to protect our eyes from the sun. Now we can have the best of both worlds!
Much like our favorite pair of designer prescription eyeglasses, our stylish prescription sunglasses or polarized prescription eyeglasses have quickly become a treasured part of our daily routines. But just like our eyeglasses, they can easily become damaged or broken if not cared for properly or adequately protected.
Investing in quality eyeglasses is important, especially when selecting Rx sunglasses. But how do you keep your prescription sunglasses safe and protected? Is there anything you should do to care for them to make sure they last as long as possible? If you’re asking these questions and more, we’re here to help. We’ve put together some of our favorite tips and tricks to keep your favorite pair of designer prescription sunglasses in tip-top shape for many years to come. Keep reading to learn more.
Store Them Properly
One of the easiest ways to keep your designer prescription sunglasses safe from damage is to store them in their proper carrying case. While it may feel inconvenient and bulky to carry around with you, the case is designed to protect your sunglasses from damage and debris, making it a simple way to ensure your sunglasses’ safety and long-lasting performance. In addition, make sure that they are placed in a location with a moderate temperature, as extreme heat or cold can cause damage to the frames.
Protect Your Lenses
When you don’t have your storage case handy, it might be tempting to take off your glasses and drop them on whatever surface is nearby. If you must do so, ensure that your trendy prescription sunglasses are not sitting face down on their lenses - this is a one-way ticket to potential scratches, denting, and other damage.
Ask the Experts for Help
Over time, even our most durable prescription sunglasses may begin to feel too loose and uncomfortable to wear due to the tiny screws holding them together becoming loose, allowing the arms to stretch away from the face. Rather than attempting to fix these screws yourself, you can always visit a local optometrist or eyeglasses shop to have the screws adjusted to better fit your face.
Top of the Head? No Way!
While it’s tempting to use your head as a makeshift storage spot for your sunglasses, repeating this action may damage them. Your prescription sunglasses are carefully fitted to your unique face shape, which is often much smaller than the width around the top of your head.
By repeatedly placing your prescription sunglasses on top of your head, you can potentially stretch out the arms, leading to a looser, more uncomfortable wear.
Keep Them Clean
You might think, “Of course, I’ll keep my prescription glasses clean” However, the reality is that many of us are diligent about cleaning our prescription eyeglasses but neglect our prescription sunglasses. Dirty or unkempt prescription sunglasses are more easily scratched or damaged and can have a negative effect on your vision.
Clean Them Properly
Now that we’ve talked about the importance of keeping your prescription sunglasses clean, let’s discuss the proper cleaning methods. One easy way to keep them clean is to use the included non-scratch cloth that accompanies your purchase. These cloths are specifically designed to be gentle enough to clean the lens without causing damage.
You can also use cleansers specifically designed to treat prescription eyeglasses lenses, such as sprays or wipes, along with a lint-free cloth. Avoid using paper towels, as they can cause damage to lenses, and never use Windex - it’s made for cleaning glass, not glasses!
Rinse Them First
On the same note as keeping them clean and doing so properly, always make sure to rinse your prescription eyeglasses before you clean them with a cloth. This can be done with just a bit of water rather than fully submerging them.
Dry prescription sunglasses can have dirt or debris on them that is unseen to the naked eye. When wiping with a cloth, this dirt can cause damage to the lenses, including scratches or wearing away on the protective UV coating. Always rinse your sunglasses with lukewarm water and cleansing solution before wiping them with a cloth to avoid this type of damage. Clean your glasses regularly with a microfiber cloth and eyeglass cleaning solution to remove smudges and residue.
Get a Grip
When taking off our prescription sunglasses, it’s easy to reach with one hand and pull them off the face in the interest of quickly swapping them out for our prescription eyeglasses. While doing this here and there isn’t a problem, repeatedly doing so can cause the screws and arm on one side of the frames to become looser.
This leads to uncomfortable wear and blurry vision, as the frames won’t sit properly on the face. Carefully grip and remove your prescription sunglasses with both hands when taking them on or off to counterbalance this effect.
Keep them Covered
If you’re in a situation where you don’t have your protective case and need to place your glasses somewhere, keep an eye on the environment around them. The reflective coating of prescription lenses can be damaged by aerosol sprays, such as perfumes or hairsprays.
Even some makeup and sunscreen can cause potential damage! Keep an eye on where you place your designer prescription sunglasses for an extra layer of protection.
Avoid Salt or Chlorine
While it may feel better to wear your prescription sunglasses while in the pool or at the beach, chlorinated water and salt water can cause damage to both your frames and the lenses.
Saltwater can lead to corrosion of metal components in glasses, such as hinges, if the saltwater remains on the frames. This can weaken the structural integrity of the glasses. If your lenses have a special coating (e.g., anti-reflective coating), saltwater can damage or degrade the coating, affecting the visual clarity and appearance of the lenses.
Chlorine in pool water can also damage lens coatings, including anti-reflective coatings and scratch-resistant coatings. Prolonged exposure to chlorine can lead to the degradation of these coatings. Chlorine can cause discoloration or fading of certain frame materials and coatings.
Keep your prescription sunglasses properly stored in their case when lounging poolside or enjoying the surf to keep your sunglasses protective and ready to wear.
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When it comes to our prescription sunglasses or polarized prescription eyeglasses, it’s just as important to take diligent care of them as it is for our favorite prescription eyeglasses. From how you clean them to how you store them to how you get them worked on, there are many ways to make sure that they stay in top shape for many years to come. After all, a well-kept pair of designer prescription sunglasses will keep you seeing clearly and your eyes protected from the sun for a long, long time!