Why Glasses Get Scratched and How to Stop It: Scratch-Resistant Lenses and Daily Habits

Search for "can scratched glasses be fixed" and you will see many tricks. The honest answer is in our guide to whether scratched lenses can be repaired: usually no. So the best fix is not getting scratches at all. Here is how.

Why lenses scratch

• Wiping them dry. Dust and grit act like fine sandpaper.
• Using a shirt, tissue or kitchen towel. They look soft but are rougher than a lens cloth.
• Loose in a bag or pocket. Keys and coins do the damage.
• Lens down on a table. The most scratched spot is the middle of the lens.
• Hot places. Heat, like a car dashboard, can crack coatings and lets scratches in.

What a hard coat does

A hard coat is a thin, tough layer on the lens. It makes the lens more resistant to everyday scratches. It does not make it scratch-proof.

Lens	Price per pair	Scratch note
Hard Coat Lens	₹250	Clear lens with a scratch-resistant hard coat
Crizal Lens	₹1,800	Anti-reflective, scratch-resistant, smudge-proof

See blue cut vs anti-glare vs Crizal and what Crizal is.

8 habits that protect your lenses

1. Use a case. Every time. A hard case is best in a bag.
2. Rinse first. Lukewarm water washes off dust before you wipe.
3. Use a clean microfibre cloth. Wash it often.
4. A drop of mild dish soap cleans oil and fingerprints well. See how to clean glasses without scratching.
5. No household cleaners, alcohol or acetone.
6. Put them down lenses up, or fold the temples and rest them on the frame.
7. Take them off with two hands. It keeps the frame in shape.
8. Keep them out of heat, like a hot car.

No cloth nearby? See how to clean glasses without a cloth. More care tips are in how to clean and maintain your spectacles.

Already scratched?

If the scratch is at the edge, you may not notice it. If it is in your line of sight, new lenses are the answer. You can often keep the same frame. See frame replacement vs lens replacement. Bring the glasses and a current prescription, and we will check whether the frame is good enough for new lenses.

This article is general information, not medical advice. For persistent symptoms or any sudden change in your vision, see an eye-care professional.