how to repair scratched glasses lenses

Wearing glasses isn't as popular as it once was since more and more people who need vision correction are choosing contact lens instead. If you have glass eyeglass lenses, they're better than plastic lenses because glass doesn't scratch as easy. However, glass lenses still manage to get scratched. And, it's hard to see through scratched lenses, no matter what the material is.

You might think that the only way to get rid of the scratches is to spend the money for a whole new set of eyeglasses. You can do it this way, or, you can just purchase replacement lenses and reuse your existing frame. Or, as long as your eyeglass prescription is current, you can save even more money by simply repairing the scratched glasses lenses yourself.

How can you do this? There are good quality polishing kits on the market that you can purchase for this purpose. A kit will cost anywhere from ten to twenty dollars, and it works best when it's used for lighter scratches. Lighter scratches are generally acquired from day to day wear. They also are made on the lenses of your glasses if you use a paper towel, or another type of rough cloth or material to clean them with. Whether you have plastic or glass lenses, you should also use a clean, soft towel and a recommended lens cleaner.

Deep scratches are usually caused by rough handling of the glasses, or, by accidents. They cannot be polished out like lighter scratches can. If you have deep scratches in your glasses, then you'll have to visit your local optometrist to see what he or she recommends. Again, replacement lenses will probably be your only option if your glasses lenses have deep scratches on them.

You can check with your local optometrist to find out what type of polishing kit he or she might sell. Or, you can perform a search on the Internet to find out what other kits are available online and the price of each one.

Once you purchase a polishing kit, be sure that you read the manufacturer's directions and follow them in order to achieve the best results. Some polishes won't work if your eyeglasses have a protective coating or a non-glare solution on them.

Basically, though, all you need to do is to make sure that the lenses in your eyeglasses are clean. Then, pour some of the polish onto both sides of each lens. Allow the polish to sit for a specified number of minutes. Then, use the cloth that was included in the kit to buff the lens until all of the polish is removed. The glass should now look clean, clear, and free of lighter scratches!

Usually, you can use a polishing kit as much as you need to in order to keep your glasses lenses free from scratches from then on. Never more will you have to squint to see through scratched glasses!

Finally, in order to best protect your health as well as your vision, you should have your eyes checked by a licensed optometrist every year or two. And, take care of your glasses so you can avoid replacing them before they are due!

Written by K Sprang
From : essortment.com

How to Polish Scratches Off Glasses

Nothing is more frustrating than getting a new pair of glasses only to find that somehow you have gotten them scratched. Eyeglasses are a large investment and many times need to be kept for years. Finding that a scratch is now permanently in your line of vision, you may be tempted to toss them out, but before you give up, try these steps to remove the scratches from your eyeglasses. Read on to learn more.

Step1
Understand the limits of removing scratches. Unlike other glass or crystal products, buffing will change the strength of the lenses. Deep scratches can be cleaned up but not removed completely and it's possible that minor scratches can become unnoticeable.
Step2
Know exactly what your surface is made of. Check if the surface Is glass or plastic lenses with or without coating. This will make a difference on the approach you take to remove scratches.
Step3
Use a lens cleaner, either from your optometrist or from a CD cleaning kit. This works best to remove minor scratches on eyeglasses.
Step4
Try a metal polish and a soft cloth, rubbing in a circular pattern for about 5 minutes, depending on the severity of the scratches. It may take several applications, so continue to polish until you achieve the results you desire. Rinse the glasses in soapy water to remove any residue when finished.
Step5
Rub on creams made for taking scratches from sports helmets. You can find the cream in most sporting goods stores.
Step6
Drop a small amount of baby oil onto the lenses and rub with a soft cloth. Again, this may take time and works best for minor scratches.

From : ehow.com