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Glasses Care Guide

How to Care for Your Glasses

Your new prescription glasses are more than eyewear, they’re an investment in your vision, comfort and confidence. Knowing how to care for your glasses properly keeps your lenses clear, your frames aligned and your prescription performing exactly as it should.

This guide from the optometrists and opticians at IrisCare Eye Clinic covers everything you need: how to clean your glasses safely, how to store them, what to avoid, and when to book a professional frame adjustment. Follow these steps and you’ll extend the lifespan of your lenses and frames by years.

How to Care for Your Glasses Every Day

These five eyeglass care habits protect your prescription glasses from scratches, damage and everyday wear.

1. Store Your Glasses in a Hard Case

Always keep your glasses in a protective hard case when you’re not wearing them. A case is the single most effective way to prevent scratched lenses, broken frames and bent temples, especially in a bag, pocket or car.

2. Never Rest Glasses Lens-Down

When you set your glasses on any surface, place them lenses facing upward and folded. Resting lenses against a table is one of the fastest ways to scratch them and wear down anti-reflective and scratch-resistant coatings.

3. Keep Your Glasses Away From Heat

Never leave your glasses in a hot car, on a dashboard, or in direct sunlight for long periods. Excessive heat warps plastic frames, loosens lens mounting and can permanently damage lens coatings. The same applies to hot water and hair dryers.

4. Use Both Hands to Put On and Remove Your Glasses

Removing glasses one-handed slowly pulls the frame out of alignment and stresses the hinges. Using both hands keeps your frames straight, your fit comfortable and your lenses correctly positioned in front of your eyes, which matters for how well your prescription works.

5. Clean Your Hands Before Handling Glasses

Dirt, oil and lotion from your hands transfer straight to your lenses and frames. Washing your hands before putting on or cleaning your glasses reduces smudges, prevents coating damage, and keeps bacteria away from your eyes and nose pads.

6. Book a Frame Adjustment Every 3-6 Months

Frames loosen naturally with daily wear. Visit IrisCare Eye Clinic every three to six months for a complimentary frame adjustment. Regular maintenance keeps your glasses secure, comfortable and correctly aligned, and lets our optical team spot small problems before they become breakages.

Broken or damaged frame?

Don’t panic. Our experienced optical team can assess your glasses and advise on repair or suitable replacement options.

How to Clean Your Glasses Properly

Cleaning glasses the wrong way is the most common cause of scratched lenses. Here's the safe method our opticians recommend.

Step 1

Rinse Your Lenses First

Rinse your lenses under clean, lukewarm running water before you wipe them. This washes away dust and grit that would otherwise be dragged across the lens surface and cause fine scratches. Never skip this step.

Step 2

Use a Proper Lens Cleaning Solution

Apply a cleaning spray made specifically for optical lenses. Avoid household cleaners, glass cleaner, alcohol, bleach and ammonia-based products, these strip anti-reflective, blue light and scratch-resistant coatings, leaving a permanent hazy or cracked appearance.

Step 3

Dry With a Microfibre Cloth

Wipe your lenses gently in small circular motions with a clean microfibre lens cloth until they’re completely streak-free. Wash your microfibre cloth regularly, as a dirty cloth reintroduces the grit you just rinsed off.

Step 4

Clean the Nose Pads and Bridge

Skin oils, sweat and makeup build up fastest around the nose pads and bridge. Use a cotton bud dipped in lens cleaner to clean these areas weekly, it prevents slipping, skin irritation and discolouration.

Step 5

Never Use Tissue, Paper Towel or Your Shirt

Paper products and clothing feel soft but contain coarse wood fibres and trapped dust that scratch lens coatings over time. Always reach for a microfibre cloth instead.

Step 6

Store Your Microfibre Cloth Properly

Keep your microfibre cloth in the glasses case or a clean pouch, not loose in your bag or pocket. A dirty cloth picks up dust and debris that can scratch your lenses the next time you clean them.

Glasses Care Mistakes to Avoid

Cleaning dry lenses without rinsing first
Wiping lenses with your shirt, a tissue or paper towel
Using household or alcohol-based cleaners on coated lenses
Leaving glasses on the dashboard of a car
Pushing glasses up by the lens instead of the bridge
Wearing glasses on top of your head, which stretches the temples
Placing glasses lens-down on a table or bedside cabinet
Ignoring loose or crooked frames instead of booking a free adjustment

The IrisCare Service Promise

At IrisCare Eye Clinic, our care doesn’t stop the day you collect your glasses. Every pair purchased with us comes with ongoing aftercare from our qualified optical team.

Free Frame Adjustments for Life

If your glasses feel loose, crooked or uncomfortable, visit us for a complimentary adjustment by a trained optical professional. No appointment stress, no charge.

Professional Glasses Repairs

We know how much you rely on your glasses. If your frame is damaged, our team will assess it and carry out a repair wherever possible. If the frame can’t be saved, we’ll recommend suitable replacements and, where the fit allows, transfer your existing lenses into a new compatible frame to save you money.

Replacement Parts Available

We stock and fit common replacement parts, including nose pads, screws, temple tips, and minor fittings and hinges.

For larger repairs or specialist components, we’ll always provide a clear, written quotation before any work begins.