Here is the education that we typically give when we dispense a pair of eyeglasses.
First, ANY change in prescription will mean that you will need to adapt to the new glasses for a period of about 2 weeks. For at least the first 2 weeks, don’t switch back and fourth between new and old glasses. Wear only the new glasses and wear them as much as possible.
It is normal for you to experience a strange sensation when you are adapting to new glasses. This is called the swim effect. You may perceive it as things moving in a strange way near the edges of the lenses especially when you get up or move around. This is a common part of adapting to new lenses and will fade away over the first 2 weeks if you wear your glasses frequently.
LENS CARE:
Many times people will accidentally scratch their lenses by cleaning them improperly. On order to avoid that, please follow these steps when cleaning.
1) Only use 100% cotton cloth OR the micro-fiber lens cloth to clean the lens. Do NOT use paper towel, Kleenex, tissue paper, toilet tissues, or shirts to clean you lenses. Do not use towels or shammys used for cars.
2) Make sure there is no dirt on your lens or lens cloth. Dirt will act like sandpaper when trapped between a lens and cloth.
3) You may wash you eyeglasses with soap and water. The type od soap is important. Use only CLEAR LIQUID HAND SOAP. Do not use dish washing soap. DO NOT use any soap that has color to it. For example white, pink, or blue hand soaps are colored due to the abrasive hand cleaner. Those are great for getting grease of your hands but will scratch your lenses.
4) DO NOT USE WINDEX, GLASS CLEANER, AMMONIA, or ALCOHOL on your lenses. You will damage your lenses and void the warranty. If you need to spray you lenses use only eyeglass lens spray available at a pharmacy. It must say “safe for all lenses” or “safe for lens coatings” to be acceptable.
5) Every month or two, you may want to wash your lens cloth. You may use liquid soap for that. Don’t use very much. 1-2 drops will do. Hand wash the cloth with hot water and rinse until no more soap comes out of it. Hang it on a towel rack and it will be as good as new.
Also, don’t ever lay your glasses face down on the lenses. You will leave scuff marks in the center of the lenses. It is also damaging to lenses to hook them on your shirt, wear them around your neck on a string, or put them on top of your head. For some reason, lenses get scratched up a lot more quickly in those cases. You should keep them in the case when not in use.
If you follow these simple guidelines, your lenses should last a very long time.
Dr. Nicholson is an optometrist in the Boise and Meridian Idaho area.