By Optician Zainab Jimoh
Eyeglasses are not just medical devices—they're a valuable investment in your vision, comfort, and personal style. Whether you wear prescription glasses for daily use or sunglasses to protect against harsh UV rays, proper care is essential to ensure they serve you well over time. At SpecSMART Eye Clinic, located in Ikeja and Ikoyi, Lagos, we are committed to helping you maintain your eye health while also preserving the quality of your eyewear.
In this blog, we’ll explore simple yet effective tips to help you take care of your glasses and extend their lifespan.
Why Proper Glasses Care Matters
Before diving into the care tips, let’s understand why maintaining your glasses is important:
• Avoids eye pain: Wearing scratched or smudged glasses can make it hard to focus and may cause headaches.
• Extends durability: Frames that are bent or misaligned can easily break or become uncomfortable to wear.
• Saves money: Well-maintained glasses don’t need to be replaced as often, saving you the cost of frequent repairs or new frames.
• Supports eye health: Clean lenses ensure you’re not introducing dirt and bacteria near your eyes, reducing the risk of infections.
1. Clean Your Glasses Properly
One of the most common mistakes people make is cleaning their lenses with inappropriate materials, like the edge of a shirt or paper towel. These materials can leave micro-scratches on the lens surface, gradually affecting clarity.
Proper Way to Clean Your Glasses:
First, wash your glasses under lukewarm water to get rid of small particles.
Don’t use too much—just a small drop of cleaner on each lens will do.
With gentle movements, clean the lenses, nose pads, and frame edges using your fingertips.
At SpecSMART Eye Clinic, we offer specially formulated lens cleaning sprays and microfiber cloths for optimal cleaning without damage.
2. Use a Protective Case
Use a sturdy case to keep your glasses safe when they're not on your face. This protects them from scratches, accidental falls, and even being sat on. A common cause of broken frames and cracked lenses is storing glasses unprotected in bags, pockets, or on countertops.
Always remember: once your glasses come off, they should go straight into their case.
3. Handle with Both Hands
To keep your glasses from bending, always use both hands when taking them on or off. This ensures even pressure on the arms (temples) and reduces the risk of the frame bending out of shape. Bending the frame can cause poor lens alignment, which may result in distorted vision and discomfort.
4. Avoid High Temperatures
Glasses are not built to withstand high temperatures. Leaving them in a hot car, on a sunny windowsill, or close to a heat source (like a gas cooker or hairdryer) can:
• Warp plastic frames
• Weaken metal joints
• Damage anti-reflective and UV lens coatings
Be mindful of where you leave your glasses. In the warm climate of Lagos, this tip is especially relevant — even brief exposure to high heat can have lasting damage.
5. Don’t Place Glasses Face-Down
When placing your glasses on a surface, always rest them with the lenses facing upward. Laying them face down increases the risk of lens scratches, even on surfaces that appear clean.
Better yet, return them to the case every time you’re not using them.
6. Keep Them Away from Chemicals
Common products you use daily may damage your glasses, for example:
• Hair sprays
• Perfumes
• Household cleaners
• Hand sanitizers
These chemicals can create residue or potentially damage the protective coatings on the lenses. When applying sprays or perfumes, make sure your glasses are removed and stored away safely.
7. Regular Frame Adjustments
Your glasses' alignment may change over time. This may cause them to sit unevenly on your face, slip down your nose, or cause pressure behind the ears.
At SpecSMART Eye Clinic Ikoyi, we offer complimentary frame adjustments to ensure a perfect fit. Our opticians use professional tools to realign your frames without damaging them — something that can happen if you try to do it at home.
8. Don’t Sleep with Your Glasses On
This may seem obvious, but it’s a common habit, especially when watching TV or reading in bed. Dozing off while wearing your glasses can easily result in bent frames or cracked lenses. Your glasses can get bent or cracked if you keep them on while lying down, so it’s smart to remove them first.
9. Invest in a Backup Pair
Having a second pair of glasses is not only smart in case of an emergency, it also reduces wear and tear on your primary pair. An extra pair of glasses can be extremely helpful if yours require repair or if you're involved in sports or physical activities.
At SpecSMART, we offer a wide selection of affordable backup options, from stylish frames to specialised lenses for different environments.
10. Schedule Regular Eye Checkups
Taking care of your glasses goes together with taking care of your vision. Seeing your eye doctor regularly helps keep your vision sharp by making sure your glasses are still the right fit for your eyes.
At SpecSMART Eye Clinic in Ikoyi and Ikeja, our experienced optometrists provide comprehensive eye exams and lens reviews Whether you’re new to wearing glasses or have been wearing them for years, we customise our care to suit your specific visual needs.
Come to SpecSMART Eye Clinic – Dedicated to Your Eye Health and Wellbeing.
Serving the communities of Ikoyi and Ikeja, Lagos, SpecSMART Eye Clinic offers state-of-the-art eye care, premium optical solutions, and service that puts customers first.
Our offerings include:
• Prescription glasses and sunglasses
• Designer and budget-friendly frames
• Custom lens fitting (anti-glare, photochromic, blue-light blocking)
• Professional repairs and adjustments
• Pediatric eye care
• Eye exams and health screenings
Whether you’re picking up your first pair of glasses or looking to maintain your current ones, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
Final Thoughts
Taking proper care of your glasses isn’t difficult — it simply requires consistency and attention to detail. By incorporating these simple habits into your routine, you’ll not only protect your investment but also enjoy clearer vision and greater comfort.
At SpecSMART Eye Clinic in Ikoyi and Ikeja, we are always here to help you see better, look better, and feel more confident in your eyewear. For cleaning products, expert advice, or a new pair of frames, stop by one of our locations or book an appointment today.
We care about your eyesight, and we believe your glasses should be top quality.