How To Clean And Maintain X-Ray Protection Eyewear
Wearing X-ray glasses, also called lead glasses, is an essential shielding practice in radiology. The eyes are highly sensitive to radiation, and wearing lead protective eyewear effectively reduces clinicians' doses while using equipment like X-rays, C-arms, and fluoroscopy.
However, high-touch objects in medical settings like lead glasses, aprons, and thyroid shields will build up dirt, germs, and contaminants that can become dangerous if not addressed.
AORN’s 2025 guidelines for perioperative practice state that protective garments worn in medical settings have high contamination rates, between 62.5% and 100%. The guidelines stress the importance of daily cleaning before and after procedures for health and safety.
AORN also recommends quarterly deep cleaning for all high-touch objects to thoroughly remove tough contaminants that can still remain after light daily cleanings.
How do you clean and maintain protective eyewear? We’ll provide you with everything you should know about the proper cleaning practices for health and safety.p.
How To Properly Clean Anti-Radiation Glasses
As mentioned, quarterly deep cleaning is crucial for protective equipment. It helps remove tough biofilms that can remain after daily surface washing and wipe-downs. The National Institutes of Health states that 65% of microbial infections and 80% of chronic illnesses are related to biofilm buildup.
How To Clean And Sanitize Lead Glasses Daily
Daily cleaning is also important for anti-radiation glasses. While daily wipe-downs won’t replace quarterly cleaning for protective equipment, they help slow the buildup of surface bacteria, dirt, and germs that accumulate regularly.
The best daily cleaning method is rinsing glasses under lukewarm water with gentle soap. You can then wipe the lenses and sides with a microfiber cloth made for eyeglass cleaning. Make sure you clean the whole surface area, even places that don’t look dirty, since contaminants aren’t always visible.
Techno-Aide recommends the following cleaning protocols for different lens types:
Standard Uncoated Lenses: Clean using anti-bacterial detergent or hand soap that does not contain microbeads or abrasive grit. Gently rub the lenses in straight lines under clear running warm water. Dry with a soft, lint-free cloth. Commercially available alcohol-based lens wipes are also acceptable for cleaning.
Fog-Free Coated Lenses: Always clean with a 75–80% alcohol solution. Alcohol-based lens wipes are acceptable. Using light pressure, wipe in straight lines to thoroughly clean all lens and frame surfaces. Dry with a microfiber cleaning cloth, never use a paper towel. Over time, the fog-free coating should be rejuvenated using a product such as Clarity De-FogIT by Nanofilm.
Anti-Reflective Coated Lenses: Clean with anti-bacterial detergent or hand soap that contains no microbeads or abrasive grit. Gently rub the lenses in straight lines under clear running water. Dry with a soft, lint-free cloth.
Always avoid using cleaning products that are too harsh since they can degrade your lenses and their protective capabilities. For instance, a study from Cornea warns that alcohol or peroxide may damage glasses lenses; soap and water remain the safest choice for removing smudges and dirty lenses. The study recommended soap and water as the best daily cleaning method.
How Do You Take Care Of Protective Eyewear?
Other maintenance considerations for protective eyewear are:
Storage
Inspections
Repairs
Replacement
Here’s an overview of each so you know how to take care of lead glasses throughout their lifespan.
Storage
Proper storage will keep your lead glasses in good condition and extend their lifespan.
The best way to store them is to keep them in a protective case between uses. The appropriate case will look similar to what you’d put a pair of prescription eyeglasses or sunglasses in.
Some additional storage considerations are:
Keep them in a low-traffic room that doesn’t have a lot of temperature fluctuations.
Avoid storing your glasses in direct sunlight.
Avoid storage spaces with high humidity.
Inspections
You should conduct visual inspections regularly to identify major damage that you must address, as it may let in unwanted radiation. Common damage to look for includes:
Broken hinges or frames
Chips
Scratches
Cracks
Pitting
Repairs
It’s essential to apply necessary repairs as soon as damage is identified. Damage like cracks, pitting, or broken hinges could affect the fit of your glasses or their protective capabilities, so they must be in top condition at all times to keep clinicians as safe as possible during procedures.
Replacement
Lead glasses, like all protective equipment, degrade over time. Scratched lenses, loose frames, or outdated shielding specs can compromise protection, especially around the periphery where exposure risk is highest. If your eyewear shows visible wear or no longer fits securely, it’s time to replace.
RCS can help you source new lead glasses that align with your clinical needs. We offer a range of styles with lateral protection and modern, lightweight designs for all-day comfort. Whether you're outfitting an individual provider or standardizing eyewear across departments, we’ll guide you through options that maximize safety, fit, and durability.
How Do I Make My Safety Glasses Clear Again?
Your X-ray safety glasses will accumulate dirt and smudges during regular use, so it’s common to wonder how to make safety glasses clear and keep them looking nice. Here are some cleaning tips that can help:
Clean using gentle soap and a microfiber cloth. Look for a cloth made for eyeglass cleaning to ensure it’ll help with removing smudges and doesn’t leave lint behind.
Avoid using abrasive cleaning products or harsh chemicals that would scratch your lenses or degrade their quality.
Take a dry microfiber cloth and remove all the water from their surface after washing. Leaving little water droplets behind on the lenses can cause water spots that affect clarity.
Is It Okay To Wear Anti-Radiation Glasses All Day?
Yes, clinicians who regularly use equipment that emits radiation can choose to wear anti-radiation glasses all day. Some clinicians find it helpful to just wear them for daily use on workdays so they don’t forget to put them on before procedures, and you can get the lenses with your regular eyeglasses prescription to help with vision.
Lead glasses from high-quality manufacturers often come in modern styles that look similar to your traditional pair of prescription eyeglasses. Therefore, they can look stylish, feel comfortable, and be acceptable for use throughout the workday.
One consideration to make before wearing them all day is the weight of lead glasses. Lead is a heavy metal, so lead glasses will often feel a bit heavier and thicker than your typical daily eyewear. It’s a good idea to test a pair out for comfort before opting to wear them throughout your shift.
Additionally, you’ll want to ensure they’re properly fitted to your face shape and head size for comfort, stability, and optimal protection. It’s best to discuss your options with an optometrist to determine which glasses will work best for you and get fitted with the right pair for your needs.
You’ll also want to ensure the glasses you wear throughout the day are cleaned and disinfected regularly for health and safety.
Ensuring Longevity And Effectiveness
Protective eyewear is essential for radiation safety to reduce exposure while conducting regular X-rays or interventional surgery with C-arms and fluoroscopy.
However, lead glasses can accumulate dirt, germs, and microorganisms in medical settings, requiring proper cleaning. Medical facilities must implement proper maintenance practices to ensure lead glasses and other PPE maintain longevity, effectiveness, and safety over regular use. That includes:
Daily washing
Quarterly deep cleaning and disinfection
Annual inspections
Proper storage
Performing necessary repairs as soon as possible
Failure to perform processes like quarterly deep cleaning can lead to harmful effects. For example, a study from Dr. Jaber of Wayne State that assessed 25 lead aprons showed that 84% were contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus and ringworm.
We can help keep your protective garments clean, inspected, and maintained at RCS.
Need to Replace Your Lead Glasses? We’ve Got You Covered.
Whether you’re replacing a damaged pair or upgrading to meet updated safety standards, RCS is here to help. Our team can assist with product selection, sizing, and sourcing to ensure every provider gets lead glasses that offer optimal protection, comfort, and compliance. From individual orders to department-wide standardization, we’ll guide you through every step, so your team stays protected without interruption.
We also offer services that make lead garment cleaning and maintenance easier. Our services include:
Deep cleaning and disinfection
Inspections using X-ray scanning
Garment repairs
Garment disposal
Inventory management using our RADCOMPLY™ software
No matter your radiation protection needs, we’re here to help.