Scratches on glasses: don’t waste money: apply a little and they’ll disappear instantly.

The claim that “scratches on glasses will disappear instantly with a simple household trick” is popular online, but it is usually misleading. Most scratches on eyeglass lenses cannot be removed because they are physical damage to the lens coating or material. Rubbing products into the lens may sometimes make scratches look less noticeable temporarily, but they do not truly repair the lens and can damage protective coatings.

Things that may help:

  1. Clean the lenses properly first
    • Rinse with water to remove dust.
    • Use a microfiber cloth and lens cleaner.
    • Small marks are sometimes just smudges or residue, not scratches.
  2. Avoid abrasive “scratch removal” hacks
    • Toothpaste, baking soda, and harsh cleaners can remove coatings or create more fine scratches.
  3. Check if the lenses have a coating problem
    • Anti-reflective coatings can peel or become cloudy, which may look like scratches. Replacement is often the best fix.
  4. Consider lens replacement
    • If scratches interfere with vision—especially on prescription lenses—an optician can replace the lenses without needing a new frame.

Prevention:

  • Store glasses in a hard case.
  • Clean only with a microfiber cloth.
  • Avoid placing lenses face-down on tables or surfaces.

If you describe the glasses (plastic lenses, glass lenses, anti-glare coating, sunglasses, etc.) and what the “scratches” look like, I can suggest the safest option.

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