What are the common misunderstandings about caring for glasses?
This answer is a draft. It stays unpublished until legal review and source verification are complete.
Wiping your lenses on your shirt is a habit the world over, and it is the one Japanese opticians warn about most. Japan has a large eyewear industry (Sabae city in Fukui prefecture makes over 90% of the country's frames), and here are the care basics shared within it.
The steps, and what to avoid
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1 | Rinse under the tap (cool water, not warm) to wash the dust off |
| 2 | One drop of neutral (washing-up) detergent, worked gently with the fingertips |
| 3 | Rinse the detergent off completely |
| 4 | Blot the water off with a tissue (do not rub) |
| 5 | Finish with a lens cloth |
| Avoid | Why |
|---|---|
| Hot water (40°C / 104°F or above) | The coating cracks |
| Alcohol, sanitising wipes, acetone | Can damage the coating |
| Dry wiping | The dust on the lens scratches it |
| Soap, alkaline or acidic cleaners | Discolour the coating and frame |
| Saunas, leaving them in a car | Heat deforms the lens and frame |
- Lens coatings (anti-reflective, scratch-resistant) are several thin layers, and their common weakness is heat and chemicals.
- The nose pads and the parts behind the ears collect skin oil, sweat and make-up, which cause verdigris (green copper corrosion) and discolouration. Have them replaced at an optician regularly (often free, or a few hundred yen).
- About 90% of the frames made in Japan come from Sabae, Fukui prefecture (Fukui prefecture statistics).
[Verify] Check the hot-water temperature guide and the detergent advice with lens makers and the Japan Optical Industry Federation (日本眼鏡関連団体連合会). Check the Sabae production share against Fukui prefecture's published material.
Misunderstanding 1｜Dry-wiping with a lens cloth is the right way
The lens cloth is for finishing. Wiping with dust still on the lens causes scratches. Rinse first.
Misunderstanding 2｜Hot water removes skin oil better
Hot water of 40°C or above cracks the coating. Always cold water. Wearing glasses in the bath is avoided for the same reason.
Misunderstanding 3｜Sanitising wipes keep them clean
The alcohol can damage the coating. Neutral detergent and water are enough.
Misunderstanding 4｜Straighten a bent frame yourself
Plastic snaps, and metal keeps the distortion. Leave it to the optician's adjustment (often free of charge).
Misunderstanding 5｜Lenses can be used until they are scratched
Deterioration of the coating and micro-scratches cloud your vision and tire your eyes. Opticians generally advise a check every 2–3 years, including a review of the prescription.
---
Sources
- Japan Optical Industry Federation, "Caring for glasses" [メガネのお手入れ]
https://www.megane-japan.or.jp/
- Fukui Prefecture, "Overview of the eyewear industry" [眼鏡産業の概要] (Sabae's share of frame production)
https://www.pref.fukui.lg.jp/doc/sangyou/
- Consumer Affairs Agency, "Household Goods Quality Labelling Act" [家庭用品品質表示法]
https://www.caa.go.jp/policies/policy/representation/household_goods/
⚠️ Editorial note: the source URLs above were identified by search. Our working environment cannot reach go.jp domains, so the contents have not been checked against the text. Verify every source before publication and record who checked it and when.
About this article
What we share here are ideas and everyday practices passed down among people living in Japan, together with general information drawn from public sources. They are not official recommendations, and they are not professional instruction. Practices vary between households and regions.
This is general information. Results vary from person to person and depend on your own conditions and surroundings.
Please decide for yourself, using your own judgement, whether any of this suits your situation. We cannot accept responsibility for any damage, loss or injury arising from following this article.
Follow the care label and the maker's instructions for any garment, shoe or bag. For expensive or sentimental items, ask a specialist cleaner or repairer.
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