Florence Uwaeme
Today is world sight day. In celebration of this day, we will be bringing you tips on how to care and maintain your glasses.
According to World Health Organization (WHO), 1 billion people around the world have a preventable vision impairment or one that has yet to be addressed. Reduced or absent eyesight can have major and long-lasting effects on all aspects of life, including daily personal activities, interacting with the community, school and work opportunities and the ability to access public services.
Reduced eyesight can be caused by several factors, including diseases like diabetes and trachoma, trauma to the eyes, or conditions such as refractive error, cataracts, age-related macular degeneration or glaucoma. The majority of people with vision impairment are over the age of 50 years; however, vision loss can affect people of all ages.
Rinse
Always rinse your glasses off with water before wiping or cleaning them. Even tiny particles of dust or dirt can settle on your lens, and if you wipe those around on a dry lens, it can be abrasive.
Spray Carefully
If you’re going to use a chemical, use sprays or cleansers that are specifically made to clean eyeglass lenses.
Air Dry
If you can, allow your glasses to air dry. This is another great way to keep any materials from getting on to your lens. If you can’t set them down to air dry, wipe them down with a soft, clean, lint-free cloth.
Use the Right Cloth
Never use paper towels, tissue, or napkins to dry your lenses. All of these materials, regardless of how soft they are on your skin, have a textured surface and can easily scratch your lenses.
Also, refrain from using the tail of your shirt.
Grip Firmly
Hold your frames by gripping the piece that crosses the bridge of the nose. This will keep you from accidently bending the frame while you clean your glasses. If your frames are bent out of shape, they’re more likely to feel uncomfortable.
Store Properly
Store your glasses when you’re not wearing them. This isn’t just a great way to keep dust and dirt away from your eyeglasses, but it also protects your specs from getting scratched, bent or broken.
If you don’t want a big, bulky case, sleeker ones are available.
Place Carefully
Don’t lay your glasses lens down. This is just asking for scratched lenses.
Wash Often
Washing your glasses at least once a day will keep your lenses in their optimal state. The cleaner your glasses, the less your eyes have to strain to see through smudges, dirt and dust.
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