What causes your eyeglass lenses to craze, and what can you do about it?
Crazing is a web of microscopic cracks that can occur on the lenses of anti-reflective-coated eyeglasses. The world can appear hazy when viewed through crazed lenses.
Anti-reflective coating (commonly known as AR or “anti-glare”) on your eyewear has several advantages. This type of coating can reduce glare, reduce eye strain, and even improve the appearance of your spectacles.
If you acquire AR coating, though, you will have to be extra careful to avoid crazing.
Crazing on Lenses Is Caused by a Variety of Factors
When spectacles are created in the lab, poor application of anti-reflective coating can cause crazing. Crazing, or lens cloudiness, can also be caused by:
- Rubbing alcohol, window cleaner, or any strong home cleaner to clean your glasses.
- Extremes of heat and cold might cause the AR coating and lenses to stretch and contract.
- Wearing glasses even when doing “hot” activities like grilling, tending a campfire, or welding.
Crazing might form on your lenses for no apparent reason. In certain circumstances, the crazing could be due to a manufacturing flaw.
Is It Possible for Transition Lenses to Craze?
If the anti-reflective coating is used on transitions and other brands of photochromic lenses, crazing can occur. Heat exposure is a common cause of crazing on transition lenses.
How Does Heat Affect the Lenses of Eyeglasses?
High temperatures can harm eyeglass lenses in a variety of ways. The anti-reflective coating and the lenses may expand at different rates as a result of heat; this causes crazing, which appears as a web of fine cracks on the lenses. Heat can also harm glasses by:
- Plastic frames softening and warping
- Warping eyeglass lenses
- Damage to the polarized sunglasses‘ film
So, how can you protect yourself from heat damage?
Avoid wearing your glasses near high heat and never leave them in a hot car. If your optician plans to use a frame warmer to adapt your glasses to fit your face, you should ask about crazing. On coated lenses, frame heaters can induce crazing.
How to Keep Your Eyeglasses From Crazing
By properly caring for your glasses, you can avoid crazing and surface scratching. To remove dirt and debris from your glasses, rinse them with lukewarm tap water, then properly clean your glasses.
Use a lens spray manufactured exclusively for cleaning eyeglasses or lotion-free dish soap and a clean, lint-free cotton towel to clean your spectacles properly. Also, keep your glasses away from extremely hot or cold temperatures.
What Can I Do About Crazed Lenses?
By removing the anti-reflective coating from the lenses, it may be able to remove crazing from eyeglasses. Stripping solutions are available in some eye care practitioners and optical laboratories for this purpose; however, the results will vary depending on the type of lens and coating used.
It may not be able to remove AR coating from polycarbonate or high-index lenses, for example. Some people who wear glasses seek home remedies such as vinegar and glass-etching substances available at craft stores.
Because the outcomes of DIY crazing correction might vary, and your eyes and vision are on the line, it is best to leave it to the pros. First, determine if the manufacturer’s warranty still protects your lenses.
Does The Manufacturer’s Warranty Cover Crazing on Eyeglasses?
A one- or two-year manufacturer’s guarantee is standard on most prescription eyeglasses. Some warranties cover crazing produced by a manufacturing flaw, which usually appears during the first six months of regular use.
This means that crazing induced by leaving glasses in a hot car, for example, may not be covered by your guarantee. Some vendors may charge you a warranty fee to repair or replace your crazed lenses.
How Can You Tell If Your Eyeglasses Are Crazing?
Crazing could be blamed if you suddenly realize you cannot see as clearly through your new glasses.
If you notice a web of hairline cracks on your glasses, call your eye doctor or the optical shop where you bought them to discover a remedy that can restore your vision.
