Your eyewear is an important investment - including your prescription or non-prescription sunglasses. To keep your sunglasses in top condition, follow these easy care tips.

1.Inspect
Check your sunglasses frequently for signs of wear. If a hinge screw is loose, visit your Optician to have it tightened. Or purchase a small, precision screwdriver and do it yourself.

Carefully check the alignment of your sunglasses while standing in front of a mirror. If they seem misaligned, return to your optician for a frame adjustment.

Inspect the lenses frequently for scratches. Some sunglasses include a 1-year warranty against lens scratches. Ask your optician for details. If scratches are a constant problem, consider purchasing sunglasses with glass lenses - glass is the most scratch-resistant lens material available.

2.Clean
Clean your sunglasses frequently as follows:Begin by rinsing them under lukewarm tap water. This will flush away any dust or grit that could cause scratches.Rub a few drops of lotion-free dishwashing liquid (e.g. Dawn(R)) between your thumb and forefinger; then gently rub both sides of the lenses and all parts of the frame.

Clean the entire frame thoroughly to remove skin oils that can damage its finish.Rinse with lukewarm water and dry with a clean, lint-free cotton towel.For touch-up lens cleaning when soap and water is not available, use a microfiber lens cleaning cloth (available at most optical shops).

3.Protect
Keep your sunglasses in a protective case when you're not wearing them. If you've lost your case, purchase a replacement at an optical store.

Always use both hands to remove your sunglasses. If your case isn't around, leave the temples open and place your sunglasses upside down (resting on the top of the Eyewire and temples) on a flat surface in a safe place.

4.Other Care Tips
Rinse and clean perspiration from your sunglasses as soon as possible. Sweat and skin oils can damage frame finishes and lens coatings.

Don't leave your sunglasses on the dashboard of your car. The intense heat that can occur inside a closed car on hot sunny days can damage lens coatings and/or frame hardware.

Following these care tips will keep your sunglasses in great shape for years. But don't rely on just one pair of sunglasses.

Different activities call for different styles of eyewear. And having more than one pair of sunglasses will guarantee that you have a back-up in case your favorite pair are lost, damaged or stolen.