Always keep the case that came with your eyeglasses within reach, and store your glasses in it when you have to remove them for more than a few minutes, such as when you go to sleep or take a bath. Keeping your glasses in their case prevents damage to the frames and lenses.

Always rinse your glasses off with water before you wipe the lenses. Wiping them directly may cause particles to grind against the glass and cause scratches. Rinsing the lenses first gets rid of such particles, after which you can use the cloth that came with your eyeglasses. Do not allow drops of water to dry on the lenses as this can cause water stains.

NEVER use paper towels, tissue, or napkins to dry your lenses. All of these materials, regardless of how soft they are on your skin, have a textured surface and can easily scratch your lenses.

When you remove and put on your glasses, use both hands, one on either temple arm. This motion encourages correct alignment and minimizes changes to the fit of your frames over time.

If you frequently lose or misplace your glasses, you may also want to invest in a glasses cord. A cord is preferred to placing the glasses in a shirt pocket or hanging them from the neck of your shirt since these positions encourage warping.

When you take your glasses off, do not simply push them up on top of your head. The top of the head is generally wider than the face and setting your glasses there can widen the frames.

If your glasses slip down your nose, avoid pushing them back up by putting pressure on the nose piece. If you have wire glasses, this motion can distort the nose piece.

Viruses can survive on glass surfaces for as long as nine days. This means you need to disinfect your glasses, along with other outerwear, when you return from a trip to the supermarket or similar places. Avoid using bleach, alcohol, ammonia or acidic products when disinfecting your eyeglasses. Instead, use dish soap and lukewarm water to gently clean the glasses and wipe using an eyeglass cleaning cloth. Alternatively, use antibacterial, pre-moistened lens cleaning wipes.

All eyeglass lenses will eventually get a few scratches. Eyeglasses lenses are scratch resistant, not scratch-proof. When purchasing glasses, ask about anti-scratch warranties for your lenses. This is especially important for children's eyeglasses or if you wear glasses in dusty conditions.

If your lenses are badly scratched and your eyeglass prescription has expired — or you simply want new glasses — It's time to change your glasses.

Optometrists recommend replacing your glasses everyone one to three years. This can be shorter depending on the condition of your lenses or any changes in prescription.