Temporary Blindness & Blind Spots: What You Need to Know
Understanding the Causes of Vision Loss & How It Can Be Prevented Have you ever
Too Hot to Handle: Watching Out for Lens Delamination This Summer
Lens delamination becomes a real risk as summer hits full swing. With sweltering temperatures and sun-soaked afternoons, shades become essential for glare protection and clear focus. However, many would overlook how intense heat can push lenses too far, eventually causing coatings to peel.
The Culprits Behind ‘Peeling’
Leaving your sunglasses in places that are heavily exposed to the sun can damage your lenses. Just like sunburn, excessive sun exposure can cook the adhesive layers at the base of your lens.
While our shades can take a lot of hits from the summer sun, unusually hot places like your car dashboard and the sauna can act as a makeshift oven. The intense heat from these places can cause the coating to expand and contract, leading to lens delamination
Another contributing factor is chemicals coming into contact with your lenses, including those in the products you use for skincare. And the common culprit? Sunscreen. While it can protect our skin from excessive sun exposure, its chemical components (Avobenzone and Oxybenzone) can break down the film in our shades. These chemicals can act as solvents for plastic, slowly degrading the integrity of your lens coating and the glue commonly used on polarized films.
When sunscreen mixes with sweat, it becomes an even greater threat. The sunscreen’s chemicals, combined with the acid and salt in sweat, break down the protective layers on your lens.
The peeling can start at the edges, forming into small but growing air sacs as the tint starts to lift off your lenses. This usually means that the adhesive bonding the coating to the lens is deteriorating. This type of damage is often described as the “bubble effect,” which is more common in polarized lenses.
Just like crazing, once lens delamination starts, the damage will already be done—attempting to glue them back or clean them won’t restore them to perfect shape.
Minimize Risks, Maximize Lens Life
Unfortunately, lens delamination leads to two costly options: Replacing the lens or getting a completely new frame. But owning a pair of sunglasses doesn’t have to be expensive. A careful habit goes a long way, saving you from unnecessary replacements, worse, disappointment.
If you want to keep your shades for the long run, start by following a gentler cleaning routine. A lens cleaner with a microfiber cloth is a perfect essential for an abrasion-free cleaning. Steer clear of places that expose your sunglasses to direct heat by keeping them tucked inside their case.
Do a deep clean once a month by using mild soap and running your sunglasses under clean, warm running water. This routine can help wipe out stubborn dust and gunk that has lodged in the nooks and crannies of your frame, especially the buildup of sweat and chemicals that can compromise the integrity of your lenses over time.
Always remember to watch out for high-heat locations that can cause thermal shock to your frames, as well as strong chemicals that can dissolve the adhesive on your lenses. After all, with proper care and awareness, you can reduce the risk of lens peeling, so they keep you glare-free for longer.
Related Posts
Valentine’s Day Date Ideas & Adventures You’ll Love Seeing
Dinner reservations and bouquets are usually staples of Valentine’s Day date ideas. Restaurants are booked,
Dry Eye Causes: Taking A Closer Look to Understand What It Is
When was the last time you cried? Our eyes produce tears during intense emotions, allergic
