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Protecting Your Glasses During The Winter

During the winter months, most of us are thinking about appropriate winter clothing, stocking up on cozy blankets, and making sure the snowblower is working! But you shouldn’t forget about other big investments, like glasses and contacts! There are many ways that you can protect your prescription glasses from harm no matter the weather…here’s some tips for ensuring your eyewear survives the harsh winter!

Leaving your eyeglasses in your car during the summer can expose them to extreme heat, which can damage your prescription glasses' lenses and frames. However, did you know that exposing your glasses to extreme cold can have the same effect? Extreme weather of any type can damage your glasses in various ways. The most common issues are damage to the structure of the frames and the coating on the lenses. Extreme temperatures can cause the lenses can expand and contract, and this slight variance on your lenses can cause the coating to crack, which can reduce your visibility and clarity.

If your frames are plastic, they are more likely to warp than other materials. You should take special care to reduce any excessive temperatures your eyeglasses experience by keeping them stored in their case in a climate controlled environment. Damaged or warped frames can affect how your eyes align with the lenses in your glasses, causing headaches and preventing you from seeing as clearly as you would with correctly aligned frames. Frames that don't fit correctly are also more likely to slide or fall off, an issue that can be irritating and dangerous, depending on the situation.

In addition to carrying a hard-shelled case, we recommend keeping a glasses cleaning cloth with you to wipe your lenses and frames when necessary. Each week, and more often during the winter, take extra time to do a deep clean on your eyeglasses to keep them looking and feeling their best for as long as you need them. Build up from residue and moisture can cause them to appear cloudy, and settle into the spaces in your frames, causing rust to develop, jamming the screws that hold the arms to the front of the frames, and even cause the coatings on the frames and lenses to peel away.

Finally, when cold lenses come into contact with significantly warmer air, the surrounding moisture condenses into water droplets that fog up the glass. You can prevent fogging by doing the following:

  • Use an anti-fog product! This creates a barrier on the lens that prevents condensation from forming. Ask us for brand recommendations.
  • Make sure any face coverings like scarves, gaiters, and masks are close-fitting, as this prevents moisture from your mouth and nose from reaching your lenses.
  • Keep your glasses and lenses clean, as dirt and smudges provide more for condensation to cling to.
  • Consider wearing contacts. In some instances, the simplest way to avoid glasses fogging up is to wear contact lenses instead.

Also, If you enjoy spending time outside, winter is a great time to enjoy activities such as sledding, skiing or snowboarding, and ice skating. Don't forget to make a plan to keep your prescription glasses safe any time that you're planning on participating in outdoor activities. Call us today if you have any questions!

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