Crazing on Glasses: What It Is & How to Prevent It

What Is Crazing on Eyeglass Lenses?

Crazing is a web of small cracks in the anti-reflective (AR) coating on your eyeglass lenses. If there is crazing on your lenses, your vision may seem blurry, hazy, or cloudy.

Most lenses have an option for AR (also called anti-glare) coating because of its many benefits. AR coating eliminates reflections from the front and back of your eyeglass lenses. This allows more light to reach your eye so you can see better, which is especially helpful at night.

AR coating also makes your lenses look nearly invisible so other people can see your eyes clearly. Not to mention, you can make better eye contact during conversation.

If you opt for AR coating, it’s important to take very good care of your glasses in order to prevent crazing (and other types of damage).

What Does Crazing Look Like?

A tiny web of cracks is a giveaway that your lenses have crazing. This an example of what to look for:

This is a lens without crazing.

This is a lens with crazing.

If you’re unsure, have your optometrist take a look. You may be offered a solution on the spot if they confirm there is damage.

What Causes Crazing?

There are many reasons crazing happens:

• Manufacturing defect – Crazing can happen if the lab making your glasses doesn’t apply the anti-reflective coating to the lenses properly. If this is the cause, you’ll probably notice crazing within the first month of getting your glasses.
• Improper cleaning – You can cause crazing if you use harsh cleaners such as window cleaner or rubbing alcohol to clean your glasses.
• Extreme temperatures – Both hot and cold weather can damage an AR coating. If it’s very cold, the coating and the lens can contract. If it’s very hot, the lens and coating can expand. To prevent potential damage from heat, don’t leave your glasses in your car. And don’t wear them when you’re doing things that can expose your lenses to high heat, such as grilling.
• Frame adjustment – Your eye doctor may use a frame heater to adjust the fit of your frames. This is another way crazing can happen to your lenses.

Crazing can also occur on photochromic lenses — lenses that automatically darken when you’re outside then return to clear when you’re inside — if they also have AR coating. Heat is often the cause in these circumstances.

Excessive exposure to heat can also lead to crazing on sunglasses with polarized (glare-reducing) lenses.

How To Fix Lens Crazing

Crazing is sometimes fixable if you can remove the AR coating on your lenses. There are several ways to achieve this:

• Removing the AR coating – This method often doesn’t work because it’s not always possible to remove the coating from polycarbonate (a type of plastic) or high-index (plastic lens often used for high prescriptions) lenses.
• Using an at-home remedy – You can use a DIY method like glass etching cream to remove the AR coating. But this is not recommended because glass etching cream is used to make decorative glass – it’s not made to be used on eyeglass lenses. If it’s not removed quickly enough, it can cause lasting damage to your lenses.
• Asking your eye doctor – Many eye doctors have stripping solutions that can be used to remove the coating.

DIY solutions can make things worse, so we recommend getting professional help when it comes to fixing crazed lenses.

Some damage may be beyond repair. So, ultimately, the best way to fix crazing is to replace your lenses.

How To Prevent Crazing

The best way to prevent crazing is by taking proper care of your eyeglasses. This includes proper storage and cleaning and avoiding extreme climates.

Some tips to help prevent crazing:

• Don’t expose your glasses to extreme hot or cold temperatures.
• Don’t leave your glasses in your car.
• Don’t wear your glasses if you’ll be close to a heat source like a backyard grill.

Be sure to use the appropriate cleaning solutions when your lenses get dirty. You can clean your glasses by running them under lukewarm water and washing them with lotion-free, non-abrasive soap. Dry them off with a lint-free cloth to ensure clarity.

On the go? Use a cleaning solution or spray specifically designed to clean glasses. Glass and window cleaners have harsh chemicals that can ruin lenses.

Is Crazing Covered Under Warranty?

At FramesDirect.com, all of our frames and lenses have a one-year warranty against manufacturing defects (one year from the date you receive them). Damage caused by the wearer is not covered under warranty.

To find out if damages to your lenses are covered, please call our customer service department at 1-800-248-9427. You can also send us a message online and include a photo of your glasses in the “Contact Us” form. We’ll provide you with free shipping labels if your glasses are protected under warranty.

Shop All Eyeglasses