Understand and Avoid Eyeglass Lens Cracks

Individuals with eyeglasses know how common scratches are on the surface of their lenses. However, many people may not understand that what appears to be scratches may be a crack that threatens the very integrity of their eyeglass lens.

As a result, eyeglass owners need to understand the differences between these issues, what causes eyeglass cracks, and the ways that they can prevent this damage. Beyond these topics, those who wear eyeglasses also need to understand how professional help protects their glasses from cracks.

Differences Between Cracks and Scratches

Scratches on eyeglass lenses are a more surface-level issue that doesn't spread through the full lens material. For example, some scratches may merely cut into the UV protection layer on the exterior of the lens in a way that affects its looks but which doesn't cause a real break in the lens surface.

By contrast, cracks in eyeglass lenses go deeper than the surface level and may travel all the way through the material. Unfortunately, a cracked lens could spell the end of a lens in the same way that a scratch often does not. As a result, eyeglass owners need to understand how they could be causing cracks in their glasses.

Causes of Lens Cracks

Cracks in eyeglass lenses typically only occur when the pressure on the exterior is too high. For example, people may tighten the frame around their lenses in an attempt to keep a lens from falling out. However, tightening the frame too hard around the glass could cause extreme pressure that makes small cracks appear on the surface.

In other cases, someone may treat their glasses in a careless way that contributes to cracks in the lenses. For example, an individual may sit on the glasses and put their full weight directly on the lens. When this event happens, the lens is likely to experience extreme strain and suffer from cracks that start along the edges of the frames.

However, leaving glasses out in a car during the summer can also cause cracks due to the warping capabilities of heat. Excessive temperatures may cause the lens to expand and contract in the frame in a way that causes cracks. And even if the lens doesn't move in the heat, certain types of frames - particularly plastic ones - will expand and contract in high heat environments.

Ways to Avoid Cracked Lenses

Individuals who want to avoid cracked lenses in their glasses need to take several protective steps. First, people with glasses should use a hard case that protects the glasses from damage. The case should always be stored in a specific place so that the owner can find it without having to search. The location should be somewhere safe and protected from direct sunlight.

Simply put, mindfulness with glasses is the most important way of protecting them from cracks. Owners should be aware of where their glasses are at all times. In this way, individuals with glasses can keep them from getting sat on, trampled on the floor, or left in a hot car during the intense summer days. Just as importantly, small scratches and cracks must be repaired immediately.

Help for Ruined Eyeglasses

Anybody who owns a pair of eyeglasses needs to take these proactive steps to ensure that their glasses don't end up cracked. These steps are particularly helpful because they can also be tweaked in slight ways to avoid scratches and other types of lens damage.

However, those who have already cracked their lenses need to take them to a professional right away to get the glasses checked out. In some instances, the lenses may be repaired, as long as the crack isn't too deep. Contact SouthPark Optical Center if your glasses are cracked in any way.