Helpful tips on eyeglass maintenance and cleaning

If you wear glasses, you know how frustrating it is when you scratch a lens, or a frame suddenly falls apart and you can't find the tiny screw. Here are a few ideas to keep your lenses scratch-free and your frames in one piece for as long as you need them.

• It may seem simplistic, but using a glasses case will increase the longevity of your eyewear.
• Don't leave glasses out on your nightstand when you go to bed, or your bathroom counter if you're using contacts.
• If possible, keep an extra glasses case wherever you most often take your glasses off.

• If you must take your glasses out with you when you're not wearing them, carry them in a case.
• A hard case is preferable to a soft case and will protect your glasses from more damage.

• Most eyeglasses made today use coated plastic lenses that are easily damaged and scratched if wiped with a paper tissue or towel.
• Keep the lenses scratch-free and damage-free by using a soft, dry, lint-free cloth to clean your glasses.
• A scrap of silk will work nicely, or you can buy a package of cloths from your optician for just a few dollars. Opticians will often be happy to give you a cloth for free.

• If you need to use a liquid to wash smudged plastic lenses, use a lens-cleaning solution, available from your optician or your local pharmacy.
• Do not use window cleaner or other abrasive substances as they can damage the protective coating on the lenses.

• If your eyeglasses have glass lenses, you don't need to buy a special lens-cleaning solution.
• You can use an inexpensive homemade solution instead: Just mix equal parts of white vinegar and water.

• Don't let a loose screw or two lead to the untimely demise of your eyeglass frames.
• Next time you replace or tighten a screw, make sure it is twisted tight and then use a toothpick to apply a small drop of clear nail polish to the top of the screw.
• Take care not to get any of the polish on the lenses or frames, as it can damage the plastic.
• The nail polish will keep the screw from loosening again.

Don't throw away your old eyeglasses after you get new ones. Here are a few suggestions to give your old glasses a second lease on life:

• If your prescription is the same or has changed only slightly, you can turn your old glasses into a new pair of prescription sunglasses. Having the lenses coated and using the same frame will provide substantial savings over buying a brand-new pair.
• Keep your old glasses as a spare. If you misplace, lose, or break your new glasses, you will have the old pair to use in a pinch.
• Take out the lenses and use the frames as part of a Halloween costume, or save them with other props the kids might use when putting on a show.
• Donate the old glasses to a charity that provides free eyeglasses to the needy.