Hard Water's effect on A/R lenses?

[rob.optician]

I have a patient that says she is afraid to wash her microfiber cloth b/c she's afraid things may stick to the cloth and then scratch her lenses?

Does anyone know if this should really be a concern or not?

[Ory]

I guess it could be, although I doubt it unless the water is really hard. Does she find her clothing gritty too?

For the cost of microfibre cloths, just sell her a bunch (bulk discount?) or tell her to hand wash it in distilled water. Far better to use a clean cloth with a few minerals than a filthy cloth.

[Chris Ryser]

I guess it could be, although I doubt it unless the water is really hard. Does she find her clothing gritty too?

Microfibers were sold because they were avle to pick up the durt between the crsystals of the AR coating,

Tosay with the new slick coats that fill these gaps the need for microfiber cloth has become historic and antique, as they are not needed anymore.

[For-Life]

tell her to use a soft tissue or a Bounty type paper towel.

Always sanitary.

[NavyChief]

Tissue and paper towels are made from wood. I wouldn't suggest using them.

[For-Life]

Tissue and paper towels are made from wood. I wouldn't suggest using them.

have you ever got a sliver from one?

I clean my glasses daily with a tissue and I never get a scratch. Considering that we use filthy clothes full of dirt and grim to clean our glasses, I will take the tissue.

[Chris Ryser]

Tissue and paper towels are made from wood. I wouldn't suggest using them.

Bread is made from wheat......................and I still eat it.

[chip anderson]

Then again since this is a silly suposition to begin with, we could refer her to Culliagan Water Softeners.

[Cindy K]

I'm wondering if she's talking about unfiltered water from a well rather than hard water? If she is, its very possible that whilst cleaning her glasses after first rinsing them under the tap that small particles may be present. Same thing goes for washing her cloth. I've seen this occur firsthand. Perhaps the best thing for her would be to use a liberal amount of spray cleaner and tissue.

I've used tissue for cleaning for years (after performing the requisite rinse and wash of course) as well as the spray we keep at the office. No scratches. I think the only types of paper products which should not be used are the rough type paper towels, and the dollar store kinds of tissue where you do sometimes find a sliver (albeit usually a soft one).

Just my 2 cents.

[Lady Nicole]

I agree that tissues really aren't that bad for cleaning glasses, but I don't generally admit that to my patients. Because if I do, they only hear the "tissue is ok" part of the message, and not the "rinse and if necessary wash them first".

Selective hearing, you know.

[Andrew Weiss]

I suggest that our patients avoid recycled paper products. Bounty is always a safe option because it has no recycled fibres.

Personally I don't like tissues because they leave lint . . .

We still suggest 100% cotton cloth, like rags made from an old tee-shirt.

[Ory]

Just make sure the tissue used does not contain lotion or they will continually complain of streaks on their glasses!:)

[Happylady]

Bounty paper towels work great, but I always tell the patient to rinse the lenses first!