Can Cold Weather Affect Your Glasses?

Prescription glasses are designed to cope with everyday life, including cold weather. However, lower temperatures and moving between warm and cold environments can temporarily affect your comfort and vision.

Understanding what happens can help you look after your glasses throughout the winter months.

Can cold weather damage glasses?

Normal winter temperatures will not damage quality prescription glasses.

Modern frames and lenses are made to withstand everyday outdoor conditions, although sudden extreme temperature changes should be avoided where possible.

Why do glasses fog up?

One of the most common winter frustrations is lens fogging.

This happens when you move from cold outdoor air into a warm building. Warm, moist air condenses on the colder lenses, creating a temporary layer of mist.

Fortunately, this usually disappears within a few moments.

How can you reduce fogging?

A few simple habits may help:

• Allow your glasses to warm gradually indoors.

• Keep your lenses clean.

• Avoid breathing directly onto the lenses.

• Remove excess moisture with a clean microfibre cloth.

Clean lenses tend to clear more quickly than dirty ones.

Take care when cleaning

If your glasses become wet from rain, frost or snow, allow any moisture to melt naturally before cleaning.

Avoid wiping away grit or frozen particles, as they may scratch the lenses.

Store your glasses properly

When you're not wearing your glasses, keep them inside a protective case.

Avoid leaving them in very cold cars for long periods or placing them directly beside heaters once indoors.

Keep a spare pair

Winter weather can be unpredictable.

Having a second pair of prescription glasses means you're prepared if your everyday pair becomes wet, damaged or temporarily unusable.

Enjoy clear winter vision

Cold weather doesn't stop you enjoying clear vision.

With a little extra care and proper storage, your prescription glasses can continue providing comfortable vision throughout every season.