I wear glasses, and the worst part is seeing the world through dust, smudges and smears. It seems like no matter how often I clean them, they are dirty just as soon as I put them on! But it's more than just an annoyance to have dirty glasses.

“First off, dirty lenses can cause eye strain and headaches — not fun,” says Dr. Janice Fan, an optometrist at 414 Eyes in Milwaukee. “Plus, bacteria love to hang out on grimy glasses. Yuck, right? You’re basically inviting germs to party on your face.”

But there is a right way to clean your glasses, and a million wrong ways. For example, don't use a paper tower or tissue! Those are surprisingly abrasive and could actually scratch the lenses. The same goes with a t-shirt that you would think would be soft enough but could also have some dirt or harmful gunk in the fibers.

And while cleaning your glasses is something that needs to be done frequently, it does not have to be a complicated process. 

Most glasses cases come with a small microfiber cloth. This is a good place to start when wiping down your lenses. Use that cloth to try to gently buff out any smudges. However, more stubborn streaks and dirt may require a more in-depth cleaning. If you find yourself in that situation, Fan suggests following this method: 

• Step 1: Rinse your glasses with lukewarm water to help remove any gritty particles that could scratch your lenses. 
• Step 2: Put a tiny drop of dish soap on your fingertips and gently rub it over the lenses and frame. 
• Step 3: Rinse thoroughly with warm water.
• Step 4: Dry them off with a clean microfiber cloth. This is key — no paper towels or your shirt, both of which could have a rough texture or dirt particles that will scratch your lenses. 

Additionally, there are a number of wipes and fluids on the market that are dedicated to this process. But, everyone has access to soap and water, and that might just be one of the most effective methods.