If you’re referring to the viral claim that a household product can make scratches on eyeglasses disappear instantly, be careful. Most DIY “scratch removers” don’t actually remove scratches—they polish away some of the lens surface or fill/obscure the damage, which can permanently distort the optics or damage anti-reflective coatings.
What to do instead
- For tiny surface marks: Clean the lenses with lukewarm water and a drop of mild dish soap, then dry with a clean microfiber cloth. Sometimes what looks like a scratch is simply residue.
- Avoid toothpaste, baking soda, car polish, glass polish, or abrasive cleaners. These can make coated lenses worse.
- Don’t use household solvents such as acetone or alcohol-based cleaners unless your lens manufacturer specifically says they’re safe.
- For genuine scratches: There generally isn’t a safe home method to restore the original optical surface. An optician can determine whether the lenses need replacing.
- If the scratch is in your field of vision: Replacement is usually preferable to trying to polish it out.
So the “apply a little and the scratches disappear instantly” trick is not a reliable or safe way to repair prescription glasses.
