Eyeglass Cleaner?!
Question: When I run out of the eyeglass cleaner from my eye doctor, would using regular glass cleaner (such as Windex, etc.) be just as good? Is there really a difference between them?
Answers: When I run out of the eyeglass cleaner from my eye doctor, would using regular glass cleaner (such as Windex, etc.) be just as good? Is there really a difference between them?
Please don't use Windex if you have plastic lenses. Many scratch-resistant coatings will eventually break down from the chemicals in Windex and then will scratch when you clean them.
It really isn't a good idea to clean them with any type of cleaner made for other surfaces. Eyeglass cleaner has usually been tested for use with most coatings on plastic lenses.
Dish detergents (Dawn, Joy, or Ivory) are usually mild enough to clean your lenses without damaging the coatings. Rinse off with warm (not hot) water. It's best to dry them with a lens cloth or a soft, smooth 100% cotton starch-free cloth (think old diapers, tshirts, or hankies.)
I've had patients refill their bottles with water and add just a couple of drops of dish detergent. If you have anti-reflective lenses, though, you may need to rinse this off to avoid smearing. If you don't have anti-reflective lenses, this solution may also help your glasses not fog up.
I use Windex and sometimes rubbing alcohol
Don't use that. It's got abrasives in so you will scratch your lenses, they'll just be small to start but eventually your lenses will start to go opaque and make your vision blurred. Just buy some proper spectacle cleaner, supermarkets will sell it.
You can use ordinary detergent in water, or methylated spirits, but buying a lens spray is more convenient and does a great job. They're not expensive.
no, don't use it. windows don't have optic lenses that are bent in a special way.
Try to avoid those other cleaners. Windex over time has a tendency to dry out lenses and can damage any specialized coatings on your lenses, like anti-reflective. In a pinch use a mild soap and water.
If your glasses have what is commonly referred to as anti-glare or anti-reflective coating then the special eyeglass cleaners will work best on them. Various brands can be found at retailers. In the U.S. drug, grocery, optical and other stores have cleaners available.
Windex does NOT have abrasives, and using it would be OK on an uncoated lens. If you choose not to get a special eyeglass cleaner, then just dip your glasses in the dish water then rinse with tap water. Use a soft clean cloth to gently dry your glasses.
By the way, always rinsing the glasses under water before you ever wipe them is good idea, including prior to using spray cleaners. If you don't, your first wipe, even with a clean cloth, will drag any small grit across the lens causing small scratches.
No, no, no!
If you have one of the new easy-clean anti-reflection coatings, all you need to do is run the lenses under water and wipe dry with a soft cloth.
If not, some liquid dishwashing soap like liquid Joy is good