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Remember that feeling when you first got your new glasses with anti-reflective coating? Crystal clear vision, no annoying reflections, photos where you could actually see your eyes instead of just lens glare?
Yeah, I remember that feeling too. Lasted about three months.
Then one day I noticed my lenses looking cloudy? Smudgy? No matter how much I cleaned them, they just didn't have that pristine clarity anymore. I was convinced the optical store had sold me defective glasses.
Turns out, the defect was me. I was systematically destroying my anti-reflective coating without even realizing it.
If your AR-coated lenses aren't looking as good as they used to, chances are you're making one of these mistakes. The good news? They're super easy to fix once you know what you're doing wrong.
Mistake #1: Using Your Shirt as a Cleaning Cloth
Okay, let's start with the big one. And I know you're guilty of this because we ALL are.
Your lens is a bit smudgy, so you grab the hem of your shirt and give it a quick wipe. Done. Except not done. You've just made it worse.
Why This Ruins Your Coating:
That cotton t-shirt or polyester kurta? It's basically sandpaper for your anti-reflective coating. The fabric fibers are rough enough to create micro-scratches on the coating. You can't see individual scratches, but over time they build up, making your lenses look perpetually cloudy or hazy.
Plus, whatever was on your shirt dust, lint, tiny dirt particles is now being dragged across your lenses. It's like using a dirty sponge to clean your phone screen.
What You Should Do Instead:
Keep a microfiber cloth with you. Always. I keep one in my glasses case, one at my desk, one in my car, and one in my bag. They're cheap, washable, and actually designed for delicate surfaces.
When you clean your lenses, rinse them first with water to remove dust and particles, then use the microfiber cloth. This prevents dragging debris across the coating.
Royal Optics and most optical stores give you a cleaning cloth with your branded eyeglass frames. Use it! That's not just free swag, it's essential equipment.
Mistake #2: Hot Water and Harsh Soaps
I used to wash my glasses under hot tap water with hand soap while doing dishes. Seems logical if it cleans my hands, it should clean my glasses, right?
Wrong. So very wrong.
Why This Damages Your Lenses:
Hot water can damage the anti-reflective coating, especially if it's really hot. The coating is a thin layer that doesn't react well to extreme temperatures.
Regular hand soap, dish soap, or body wash? They contain lotions, moisturizers, and harsh chemicals that leave residue on your lenses or can actually degrade the AR coating. That weird film you can't seem to wipe off? That's probably soap residue.
The Right Way to Clean:
Use lukewarm or cool water. Not ice cold, not hot – just comfortable room temperature water.
Use a tiny drop of mild dish soap (the basic kind without lotions or "moisturizing" formulas) or better yet, proper lens cleaning solution. These are specifically designed to clean without damaging coatings.
Gently rub both sides of the lens with your fingertips, rinse thoroughly, and dry with your microfiber cloth. The whole process takes 30 seconds and your lenses will actually stay clean.
Mistake #3: Leaving Them in Your Hot Car
Last summer, I left my glasses on the dashboard while running into a store. Five minutes, what could happen?
When I came back, the frames felt warm and the lenses looked. different. Not immediately ruined, but definitely not the same. That's when I learned that heat is an AR coating's enemy.
What Heat Does to Your Glasses:
Extreme heat causes the different layers of your lens coating to expand at different rates. This can lead to the coating cracking, peeling, or separating from the lens surface. You'll start seeing tiny cracks or bubbles, especially around the edges.
This applies to both women's eyewear and men's eyewear; the coatings are equally vulnerable regardless of frame style.
Where NOT to Leave Your Glasses:
- Dashboard or car interior in summer (temperatures can reach 60-70°C inside cars!)
- Near stoves or heaters
- In direct sunlight for extended periods
- In the bathroom during hot showers (the steam plus heat combo is bad)
- Near hair dryers or straighteners
Safe Storage:
Always store your glasses in a case when you're not wearing them. Keep them in the shade, in a drawer, or in your bag anywhere away from direct heat and sunlight.
I now have a dedicated spot in my car's center console where my glasses stay safe even during Delhi summers.
Mistake #4: Rubbing Them Dry (Especially with Paper)
After rinsing your glasses, the instinct is to rub them dry quickly, right? Maybe grab some tissue paper or a paper towel?
I did this for years. Years! And then wondered why my lenses always looked scratched.
Why Dry Rubbing is Terrible:
When lenses are dry, any particles on them act like tiny pieces of sandpaper when you rub. Even if your lens looks clean, microscopic dust is there.
Paper towels and tissues are even worse. They're made from wood fibers that are surprisingly rough. They leave behind lint and can scratch both your lenses and the anti-reflective coating.
That weird rainbow effect or haziness you see on your lenses? Often caused by micro-scratches from dry rubbing or paper products.
The Gentle Approach:
Always wet your lenses before cleaning. Always.
After washing, gently shake off excess water, then pat (don't rub!) dry with a clean microfiber cloth. If you must rub, do it gently in a circular motion.
If you're out and need to clean your glasses urgently, use lens cleaning spray first to wet the surface, then use your microfiber cloth.
Mistake #5: Using Household Cleaners or Alcohol-Based Products
"Window cleaner works great on glass, so it should be perfect for glasses, right?"
I actually thought about this. I even used Windex on my lenses once. The optical store staff literally gasped when I mentioned it during my next visit.
Why This is Coating Suicide:
Window cleaners, alcohol-based sanitizers, acetone-based nail polish removers, bleach-based cleaners; these are all chemical death sentences for anti-reflective coating.
They can cause the coating to peel, crack, or become cloudy. Sometimes the damage is immediate, sometimes it's gradual. Either way, your expensive AR coating is done for.
I've also seen people try to "disinfect" their glasses with hand sanitizer (especially during COVID times). Please don't. The alcohol content will damage the coating.
What You CAN Use:
- Lens cleaning solution specifically made for eyewear
- Mild dish soap (basic formula, no lotions)
- Lukewarm water
- Commercial lens cleaning wipes designed for glasses
That's it. That's the list. If it's not on this list, don't put it on your lenses.
Royal Optics and other optical stores sell proper lens cleaning solutions. Buy it. It's cheaper than replacing your lenses because you destroyed the coating.
How to Tell If Your AR Coating is Already Damaged
Sometimes the damage is done before you realize what you've been doing wrong. Here's how to check:
Signs of Damaged AR Coating:
- Cloudy or hazy appearance that doesn't clean off
- Rainbow-like patterns or oil-slick look on the lenses
- Small cracks or what looks like peeling, especially around edges
- Persistent smudges that won't go away no matter how you clean
- Vision that seems less clear than it used to be, even though your prescription hasn't changed
If you're seeing these signs, your coating is probably compromised. Unfortunately, you can't repair anti-reflective coating – it needs to be replaced.
The good news? If you bought your glasses from a reputable source, they might have a warranty. Check with your optical store. Some branded eyeglass frames come with coating warranties.
The Right Way to Care for AR-Coated Lenses
Let me give you the simple, actually-works routine I follow now:
Daily Cleaning:
- Rinse lenses with lukewarm water
- Add tiny drop of mild soap or lens cleaner
- Gently rub with fingertips
- Rinse thoroughly
- Shake off excess water
- Pat dry with clean microfiber cloth
Throughout the Day:
- Use lens cleaning spray + microfiber cloth for touch-ups
- Never use your shirt, tissues, or paper towels
- Keep glasses in a case when not wearing them
Weekly Deep Clean:
- Wash your microfiber clothes (yes, they need washing!)
- Check your glasses case for dust and debris
- Inspect lenses for any damage
Long-Term Care:
- Get adjustments at your optical store every few months
- Have them professionally cleaned periodically (many stores do this free)
- Replace glasses case yearly – old cases accumulate bacteria and dirt
When to Consider Replacement
Even with perfect care, anti-reflective coating eventually wears out. Depending on quality and usage, AR coating typically lasts 2-3 years.
If you've had your glasses longer than that and the coating looks rough, it might be time for new lenses or frames.
This is where affordable eyewear online options come in handy. You don't necessarily need to spend a fortune just to get quality lenses with fresh AR coating from trusted sources.
Having a backup pair is smart too. Alternate between two pairs and both will last longer. Plus, you're not stuck if one pair gets damaged.
Prevention is Cheaper Than Replacement
Look, I get it. Proper lens care seems fussy. It's easier to just wipe your glasses on your shirt and move on with your day.
But here's the math:
Replacing AR-coated lenses: ₹2,000-5,000+ Lens cleaning solution: ₹300-500 (lasts months) Extra microfiber cloths: ₹50-200 Protective case: ₹200-500
The tiny investment in proper care products saves you thousands in replacement costs. Plus, your vision stays clear and your glasses look good longer.
Whether you have women's eyewear with delicate frames or sturdy men's eyewear, the care routine is the same. Protect your investment.
One Last Thing About Contact Lens Wearers
If you wear clear contact lenses some days and glasses other days, you need to be extra careful about cross-contamination.
Don't touch your glasses right after handling contact lenses without washing your hands. Contact lens solution, proteins from your eyes, and other residue can transfer to your glasses and damage the AR coating.
Keep your glasses care separate from your contact lens care. Different products, different routines.
The Bottom Line
Your anti-reflective coating isn't fragile, but it does need proper care. Stop using your shirt, stop using hot water, stop leaving glasses in hot places, stop rubbing them dry, and stop using random household cleaners.
It's that simple.
I've been following the proper routine for a year now, and my current glasses look as good as they did on day one. No cloudiness, no scratches, just clear vision.
Your glasses are an investment in your vision and your appearance. Treat them with the same care you'd give your phone or your watch.
And hey, if your current AR coating is already damaged beyond repair, don't stress. Learn from the mistakes, get fresh lenses from Royal Optics or your trusted optical store, and start the proper care routine from day one.
Your eyes (and your wallet) will thank you!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can damaged anti-reflective coating be repaired?
Unfortunately, no. Once AR coating is damaged whether scratched, peeling, or cloudy it cannot be repaired or restored. The only solution is replacing the lenses entirely. This is why proper care from day one is so important. However, check if your branded eyeglass frames came with a warranty. Some optical stores offer coating warranties that might cover replacement within the first year.
2. How often should I clean my glasses with AR coating?
Clean them daily with proper technique (lukewarm water, mild soap, microfiber cloth). Throughout the day, use lens cleaning spray and your microfiber cloth for touch-ups as needed. Avoid over-cleaning with harsh rubbing – gentle and regular is better than aggressive and occasional. Also wash your microfiber cloths weekly to prevent dirt buildup.
3. Can I use the same cleaning products for my glasses and contact lenses?
No, keep them separate. Contact lens solution is formulated for eyes and lenses that sit directly on your eyeball. Glass lens cleaner is different. While contact lens solution won't necessarily damage your glasses, it's not ideal for cleaning AR coating. If you wear clear contact lenses and glasses, invest in proper cleaning products for both.
4. Why does my AR coating look rainbow-colored or oily?
This rainbow or oil-slick appearance usually means the coating is damaged or degraded. Common causes include using harsh chemicals, excessive heat exposure, or micro-scratches from improper cleaning. Sometimes it's just age – AR coatings typically last 2-3 years with proper care. If your lenses are relatively new and showing this, visit your optical store to check if it's a defect covered under warranty.
5. Is AR coating worth it, or should I skip it on my next pair?
AR coating is absolutely worth it! It reduces glare, improves clarity, makes lenses look better in photos, and reduces eye strain. The key is just caring for it properly. Whether you shop for women's eyewear, men's eyewear, or affordable eyewear online, always opt for quality AR coating and follow proper care routines. The benefits far outweigh the minimal extra effort required to maintain it.