How to Get Rid of Scratches on Spectacles: A Reality Check and Practical Solutions

I've been wearing glasses since I was twelve, and if there's one universal truth about spectacles, it's this: they will get scratched. It doesn't matter if you baby them like precious heirlooms or if you paid a small fortune for that "scratch-resistant" coating. Life happens to lenses.

The first time I noticed a scratch right in my line of vision, I panicked. It was like having a permanent smudge that no amount of cleaning could fix. That tiny imperfection became all I could see, turning my expensive progressive lenses into a constant source of irritation. Sound familiar?

Let me save you some heartache right up front: most scratches on modern eyeglass lenses are permanent. I know that's not what you want to hear, but understanding why this is true will help you make better decisions about what to try—and what to avoid.

The Uncomfortable Truth About Modern Lenses

Back when I started wearing glasses, most lenses were made of actual glass. My grandmother could polish out minor scratches on her spectacles with a bit of toothpaste and elbow grease. Those days are long gone.

Today's lenses are predominantly made from polycarbonate or high-index plastics. These materials are lighter, safer, and more impact-resistant than glass, but they come with a trade-off: they're softer. And here's the kicker—they're covered in multiple layers of coatings. Anti-reflective coating, UV protection, blue light filters, hydrophobic layers... your modern lens is essentially a sandwich of different materials, each with its own hardness and properties.

When you get a scratch, you're not just damaging the lens material itself. You're disrupting this delicate stack of coatings. This is why that old trick with toothpaste that worked on your grandfather's glasses will likely make your modern lenses worse, not better.

What Actually Works (Sometimes)

Despite the grim reality, there are a few approaches that might help with very minor surface scratches. I've tried most of them over the years, with varying degrees of success and failure.

The Furniture Polish Method

This one surprised me when I first heard about it. Certain furniture polishes containing wax can fill in extremely shallow scratches, making them less noticeable. The key word here is "extremely shallow." We're talking about scratches so fine you can barely feel them with your fingernail.

I tried this on an old pair of reading glasses with hairline scratches. Using a furniture polish spray (the kind with carnauba wax), I applied a small amount to a microfiber cloth and gently rubbed in circular motions. The scratches didn't disappear, but they became less noticeable for a few days. The effect is temporary—the wax wears off, and you're back to square one.

Baking Soda Paste

Mix two parts baking soda with one part water to create a thick paste. This mild abrasive can sometimes buff out the most superficial marks. I emphasize "superficial" because anything deeper will only get worse with this method.

The technique matters here. Use a microfiber cloth, apply minimal pressure, and work in small circular motions. Rinse thoroughly with cool water and dry with a clean cloth. I've had mixed results with this—it worked on one pair of cheap readers but ruined the anti-reflective coating on my expensive progressives.

Vehicle Wax

Similar to furniture polish but potentially more durable, car wax can fill in minor scratches. The application process is the same: small amount, circular motions, buff off the excess. Some people swear by this method, but in my experience, it's hit or miss. The wax can leave a slight haze if not applied perfectly, which might be worse than the original scratch.

The Methods That Will Ruin Your Lenses

Now, let's talk about what NOT to do. The internet is full of terrible advice that will turn a minor annoyance into a major problem.

Toothpaste: The Myth That Won't Die

I cannot stress this enough: do not use toothpaste on modern eyeglass lenses. Yes, I know your uncle swears by it. Yes, I know there are a thousand YouTube videos showing this "hack." They're wrong.

Toothpaste is an abrasive designed to remove plaque from tooth enamel. When you use it on plastic lenses with delicate coatings, you're essentially sandpapering your glasses. I learned this the hard way on a pair of prescription sunglasses. Not only did the scratch remain, but I also created a cloudy patch where the anti-reflective coating had been abraded away.

Glass Etching Compounds

Some people recommend products like Armour Etch, which are designed to etch glass. These are acids. They will destroy plastic lenses completely and irreversibly. I've seen the aftermath of this "solution"—lenses that looked like they'd been attacked with sandpaper. Just don't.

Sandpaper or Dremel Tools

I shouldn't have to say this, but apparently I do. Any form of mechanical abrasion strong enough to remove a scratch will destroy the lens coatings and likely create an uneven surface that distorts your vision. I once met someone who tried to "polish out" scratches with fine-grit sandpaper. They ended up needing new glasses immediately.

Prevention: The Only Real Solution

After years of trying to fix scratched lenses, I've come to accept that prevention is the only reliable strategy. It's not sexy, but it works.

First, invest in a hard case. Not a soft pouch, not the pocket of your shirt, but an actual hard-shell case. I keep one in my car, one at my office, and one by my bedside. Glasses go in the case or on my face—nowhere else.

Second, clean your lenses properly. Most scratches don't come from dramatic incidents but from improper cleaning. Never use paper towels, tissues, or your shirt. These materials can have wood fibers or dirt particles that act like sandpaper on your lenses. Use only microfiber cloths and lens cleaning solution or water. I keep microfiber cloths everywhere—in my cases, my car, my desk drawer.

Third, handle your glasses with both hands. Taking them off with one hand twists the frame and increases the chance of dropping them. It's a small thing, but it makes a difference over time.

When to Give Up and Get New Lenses

Here's something opticians don't always tell you: scratches in your direct line of vision can cause eye strain, headaches, and even affect your driving safety. If you find yourself constantly trying to look around a scratch, it's time for new lenses.

I held onto a scratched pair for months, convinced I could live with it. The constant unconscious effort to compensate for the visual disruption left me with daily headaches. The $200 I spent on replacement lenses was worth every penny for the relief alone.

Many optical shops offer lens replacement services that are cheaper than buying entirely new glasses. If you love your frames, this can be a cost-effective solution. Some vision insurance plans even cover lens replacement separately from frame replacement.

The Coating Conversation Nobody Wants to Have

Let's address the elephant in the room: those expensive "scratch-resistant" coatings you paid extra for. They're not scratch-proof, despite what the salesperson might have implied. They're harder than the base lens material, yes, but they can still scratch. And once they do, the scratch is often more noticeable because it disrupts the coating's optical properties.

I've found that the mid-tier coatings often provide the best value. The basic ones scratch too easily, while the premium ones create expectations they can't meet. No coating will make your lenses invulnerable.

A Personal Philosophy on Scratched Glasses

After decades of wearing glasses, I've developed a philosophy about scratches: they're battle scars. Each one tells a story—the time I fell asleep reading and my glasses scraped against the nightstand, the day I forgot they were on my head and walked into a tree branch, the moment my toddler grabbed them with sandy hands at the beach.

This doesn't mean I'm careless with my glasses. But I've stopped obsessing over keeping them pristine. They're tools, not museum pieces. When scratches accumulate to the point where they interfere with my vision or daily life, I replace the lenses and start fresh.

The Bottom Line

If you came here hoping for a miracle cure for scratched lenses, I'm sorry to disappoint you. The honest truth is that significant scratches on modern eyeglass lenses are permanent. The DIY fixes you'll find online range from temporarily helpful to actively harmful.

Your energy is better spent on prevention and knowing when to cut your losses. Take care of your glasses, but don't baby them to the point where you're afraid to wear them. And when scratches do accumulate—because they will—view it as an opportunity to refresh your prescription and maybe try that new frame style you've been eyeing.

Remember, your glasses exist to help you see the world clearly. Don't let the pursuit of perfect lenses prevent you from actually using them for their intended purpose. Life's too short to spend it looking around scratches or being afraid to wear your glasses for fear of damaging them.

Authoritative Sources:

American Academy of Ophthalmology. Clinical Optics. San Francisco: American Academy of Ophthalmology, 2019.

Brooks, Clifford W., and Irvin M. Borish. System for Ophthalmic Dispensing. 3rd ed., Butterworth-Heinemann, 2006.

Carlton, Jalie. Frames and Lenses. Slack Incorporated, 2000.

Fannin, Troy E., and Theodore Grosvenor. Clinical Optics. 2nd ed., Butterworth-Heinemann, 1996.

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. "Eye Safety." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2013.

Stein, Harold A., et al. The Ophthalmic Assistant: A Text for Allied and Associated Ophthalmic Personnel. 10th ed., Elsevier, 2018.