troubleshooting tips

Proper Lens Cleaning

Karlen McLean, ABOC, NCLC

Few people—patients and even ECPs—properly clean lenses, resulting in scratched products that require remakes.

Despite advances in top and hard coats, and the durability and clean-ability of AR, plastic and even glass lenses can still get scratched.

This can be costly for ECPs. Krish Rao, PhD, vice president of technology at Nanofilm, says the industry remake average due to damage caused by improper lens care is reported at eight percent.

Scratches make seeing stressful and tiring, affect impact resistance, and weaken lenses. The simple solution: Teach every patient proper lens cleaning techniques.

EVERYDAY HAZARDS

While most everyday products won't do immediate damage to lenses, independent testing shows significant damage after a year of regular use is simulated.

■ Clothing. Clothing and dirt particles in clothing can leave fine scratches on lenses.
■ Dish soap. A few mild dish soaps won't harm spectacle lenses, but extra-strength dish soaps can slowly disintegrate lens coatings.
■ Glass cleaners. Highly corrosive glass cleaners are not made for non-glass material.
■ Tissue/paper products. Dry paper products can grind dust and paper fibers into lenses, resulting in scratches. Even with water, paper can't remove oils, most sprays (like hair spray), or fingerprints.
■ Rubbing alcohol. While often used to remove ink marks needed for cutting lenses and marking PALs, long-term use of rubbing alcohol can damage lens coatings.

DEALING WITH DIRT

Here are typical lens cleaning steps, as detailed by Jodi Groh, Nanofilm's marketing director.

■ Liquid cleaner. Spray both sides of the lens. Using a clean microfiber cloth and gentle pressure, wipe the cloth over the lens surface.
■ Pre-moistened lens towelettes. Rinse lenses under running water first if there are large dirt particles. Unfold the towelette, and, using gentle pressure, wipe the lenses clean.
■ Microfiber cleaning cloths. Liquid is best, but if dry cleaning must be done, use a clean microfiber cloth, not clothing. Research shows that 52 percent of people use clothing—which causes the majority of lens damage—as their top method.

Everyday items such as clothing, dish soap, tissues/paper products, rubbing alcohol, and glass cleaners can damage lenses. Image courtesy of Nanofilm

SHOW, TELL, SELL

Make the cleaning conversation a key component of your practice.

Some suggestions: “Has anyone explained to you how to best clean your glasses?” or “May I clean your glasses?” EB