Tips for New Glasses Wearers

Glasses are such an old invention that we’re still arguing over who really came up with the idea. But no matter how many centuries go by, a lot of glasses-wearers still make obvious mistakes that lead to damaged or ill-functioning glasses. Use these 10 tips to make sure you’re getting the most out of your lenses.

1. Glow in the dark tape

A small strip of glow in the dark tape can make your life much easier. Whether you’re waking up in the middle of the night or suffering through a power outage, having a small indicator glow on your glasses case (or your frames if you’re feeling feisty) can make a big difference.

2. Be picky

You can’t be too picky when it comes to your glasses. Get yourself a pair that really suits you in both function and looks, and you’ll be much happier for it. Here are the main points to take into consideration when choosing the perfect pair of glasses:

• Strength

  Prescription glasses will come with a strength determined by your eye doctor. If you’re just buying a pair of reading glasses, though, you have a lot more control. Don’t be afraid to give these cheap glasses a quick test run in the store to make sure they’ll really give you clear reading vision.

• Frames

  The size of your frames can affect how the glasses feel on your face, and you want to make sure you’re comfortable. Also important are the colors of the lenses. Depending on your skin, face and hair, you may find you look better in some frames than others. Remember, your glasses are part of your look!

• Lenses

  Consider where you’ll be wearing your glasses. For reading or other up-close activities, you may want to go with a thinner lens size to allow you to look over the top of your frames. If you’re wearing your glasses all day long, then wider lenses are usually a safer bet.

3. Get prescription sunglasses

Wearing corrective lenses shouldn’t compromise your fun in the sun. A pair of custom sunglasses means you can swap out your glasses for shades without compromising your vision. And some sunglasses have the added benefit of protecting your eyes from the harmful effects of the sun. A pair of shades from 39DollarGlasses checks all three boxes: 100 percent UV protection, custom prescription lenses and unbeatable style.

4. Don’t put your glasses on your head

It can be tempting to slide your glasses up and wear them like a headband, but try to avoid doing so. Even a few minutes here and there can quickly add up, and before too long, your glasses will be damaged. Not only does doing so stretch your glasses out of shape, but the naturally occurring oils in your hair will build up on your glasses over time, damaging them.

5. Handle with care

Another tip for keeping your glasses in tip top shape is to always remove them with two hands. Handling your glasses one-handed is a fast way to bend or even break them.

6. Use your cell phone in a pinch

The camera on your phone will actually give you an enlarged image comparable to a magnifying glass. For those who are very nearsighted, misplacing your glasses can be a nightmare if you can’t see well enough to easily find them. Using your phone to navigate can speed up the process of locating those lost lenses.

7. Wash your glasses daily

Don’t wait until you’re staring at the world through a huge, unsightly smudge. Your lenses will stay clearer and last longer if you clean them daily. Use gentle soap and warm water. Try to avoid rubbing your glasses on your shirt or other fabrics because you risk damaging the lens coating. Check out our comprehensive list of tips for cleaner glasses here.

8. Avoid extreme temperatures

Don’t leave your glasses where they’ll get unbearably hot or cold as this can damage the coating or even warp the frames. If you store your prescription glasses or sunglasses in the car, use the glove box or the special glasses case above the windshield.

9. Rub them with dish soap (no, really!)

Foggy glasses are the bane of many. Fortunately, you can ward off cloudy lenses with a little dish soap. Simply rub some liquid soap onto your lenses, let it dry and then wipe off the excess. Now you’re ready for that brisk morning walk with no fear of foggy glasses!

Be sure to pick a soap that is free of ammonia, alcohol and vinegar because it may otherwise damage your glasses by stripping the lenses of their coating.

10. Stock up on spares

Reading glasses are pretty cheap. Don’t hesitate to buy a big stockpile of them and leave them strategically scattered throughout your life: one for the living room, one for the kitchen, etc.

While prescription glasses are typically much more expensive than a pair of cheaters from the drug store, it is still well worth it to have a spare pair lying around. Many people keep old prescription glasses which are no longer completely accurate for this exact purpose. After all, an old pair of glasses is better than nothing in an emergency.

For cheap online glasses that match your current prescription, shop at 39DollarGlasses.com so you’re never caught short.