Many people with weak vision rely on traditional glasses to keep their vision in focus while doing daily activities. Here are 6 of the most common problems people who wear glasses have and our recommendations for how you can resolve them.
1) Why are my glasses loose or keep slipping off my face?
Oftentimes, eyeglasses slip out of position because of worn-out frames, lenses too heavy for the frame they’re set in, or a frame that’s not properly fitted to your face. Loose or worn eyeglass frames can be tightened and nose pads can be added or adjusted to tighten them and help them from slipping off your face. If you’re sweating a lot, especially in the sun, wearing a headband can add temple support and friction for heavier glasses. And if all else fails, you can try to replace them with a new, properly fitted pair using your VSP Individual Vision Plan benefits.
2) Why won’t my eyeglass lenses darken while I’m driving?
Ultraviolet light activates the tinting mechanism in photochromatic lenses. Since modern car windows block UV rays, which activates the tinting process, many eyeglass lenses won’t darken. If putting the top down isn’t an option, then having a pair of sunglasses on hand (prescription or some that fit over your lenses) is a great solution if your eyeglass lenses won’t darken while you’re in your car.
3) Why does the glare on my eyeglass lenses become problematic during the evening hours?
In low evening light, glare on eyeglasses isn't diffused as well. This creates unwanted reflections and stray light bouncing around the lenses, making it harder to see clearly and even causing eye strain. Adding an anti-reflective (A/R) coating to your eyeglass lenses will help reduce surface and internal lens reflections, especially at night.
4) Why does my vision get wavy when I’m not staring straight through the center of the lenses of my glasses?
The first thing to check if your vision gets wavy is that your eyeglass lenses are clean. But once you’ve verified that your lenses are clean, another possible cause is that the lenses are not ground properly or the optical centers of the lenses are off slightly. It’s a frustrating problem, but one that can be easily checked and corrected by your VSP network doctor’s office.
5) How do you properly clean your glasses?
How often do you clean your glasses? Having dirty lenses can be a nuisance, but did you know you could also be causing serious damage to your eyes? Smudged, unclear lenses may lead to eyestrain, which can cause your eyes to become tired and achy.
Here are 5 simple steps to cleaning your glasses effectively. Not only will these steps help you achieve smudge-free lenses, but they will also condition you to get into the healthy practices of quality eye care.
Step 1: Rinse Your Glasses with Water
Before you go out and buy a high-end eyeglass cleaner from your eye doctor or the drug store, consider running your glasses under clean tap water. There is nothing that bottled “glasses cleaner” can do that tap water can’t. Not only will you save money, but also by using the water from your sink you don’t have the hassles that come along with bottled cleaner.
Rinsing with water is important because the water removes unseen debris like dirt and dust that could scratch your lenses in the following steps.
Step 2: Wash Your Glasses with Soap
Washing your lenses with soap is important for many reasons – it breaks down skin oils, makeup, sweat and other residue that has accumulated on your lenses throughout the day. Ophthalmologist, Dr Robert Haverly of the Laser Eye Surgery of Erie recommends that you clean your glasses once every morning with soap, concentrating on the lenses as well as the stems, earpieces and nose pads, to remove this grubby residue.
The best way to clean glasses is with foaming hand soap. It’s gentle enough to clean without damaging the coating on your glasses. Avoid using cleansers with ammonia, bleach, vinegar, or window cleaner as these are harmful chemicals for your lenses.
Step 3: Rinse Your Glasses Well
Again, head to your sink and use tap water to generously rinse your glasses. This step is important because it helps to ensure all of the soap is removed. We suggest using a lukewarm temperature that will help disintegrate any lingering suds. Be sure you’ve adequately rinsed your frames and lenses to avoid ending up with a soapy film.
Step 4: Dry Your Glasses
Before you reach for the corner of your shirt to dry your lenses with, consider where your shirt has been. It’s likely full of dust and other particles that could ultimately scratch your lenses and leave you worse than when you started this cleaning process.
We suggested staying away from expensive glasses cleaner in Step 1 and we’ll suggest something similar here: don’t go out of your way to buy special microfiber cloths for drying your lenses (though you will need them in Step 5). The best option for drying your glasses is to simply use a clean, soft cotton towel and gently run it over your freshly cleaned lenses.
Step 5: Polish Your Glasses to Perfection
Polishing your glasses is the perfect opportunity to use that microfiber cloth you have lying around your home. Start with the earpieces and give your glasses a complete rub down. Not only will you end up with a nice, polished look, but you will also get rid of any remaining smudges or debris.
It’s important to use only microfiber cloth during the polishing step. Other types of cleaning cloths are typically harsher on your lenses and won’t leave the sleek, polished, smudge-free finish that you’ll get with microfiber.
We think that this is the most important step of the cleaning process: even if you don’t have time to complete all five steps, using your microfiber cloth for a quick, frequent rub-down will help prevent any excessive buildup. Consider keeping it in your glasses case and use it often.
6) What Should I Do If I Break My Glasses While on Vacation?
Before you do anything, make sure you don't panic! If your glasses break while on vacation, there are options. First, see if a local eyeglass repair shop can fix them. If not, look for an optometrist who might offer temporary fixes or have a rush service for new glasses. If you are really in a pinch, drugstores like Walgreens or CVS sell reading glasses that can help restore blurry vision until you get a proper replacement.
Another solution if your primary pair of glasses gets lost or broken is packing a backup pair of glasses. If your main pair breaks, a spare ensures you can still see clearly and enjoy your trip. Think of it as an insurance policy for your vision, a small price to pay for peace of mind on your adventure.
Following these tips daily will not only keep your lenses and frames in good condition, but it will also help you maintain healthy vision and eye health.
If you’re having any other type of problem with your eyeglasses, you’ll want to make an appointment with your eye doctor. If you don’t have a preferred eye doctor and you have a VSP Individual Vision Plan, you can use our find an eye doctor tool. If you don’t have vision insurance, find out how VSP can help you save on your next eye exam or pair of glasses.
Information received through VSP Individual Vision Plans’ social media channels is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, medical recommendations, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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