Storing of lenses that were purchased in the store is relatively easy, but should be done with care. A few easy steps to properly storing your lenses will go a long way in preserving them in the best condition for when you are ready to use them.

Eyeglass lenses should be wiped with a glass cleaner and microfiber cloth and then stored in the case they came in. The case that came with your eyeglasses was designed to hold your glasses without scratching or damaging the lenses. Many eyeglass cases come with padding to protect the lens from damage and from being scratched.

Storing your contact lenses is actually quite different. While you want glasses lenses to remain dry, your contact lenses need to stay wet or they will dry out. That is why contact lenses are often stored in hard plastic cases that hold a saline solution. Your lenses are kept in this wet solution so that they do not dry out and damage the lenses. You always want to store your contact lenses in this case with saline solution to keep them wet. Storing them this way will also prevent dirt and dust from getting on the lenses, or from the lenses getting scratched.

And finally storing of extra photographic camera lenses should be done with extreme care. Often these lenses are quite expensive, and quite fragile. You should find a strong sturdy case to store your extra camera lenses in. Select a case with extra padding to protect your lenses from bumping, breaking, or being scratched should they ever need to be moved. This case with your store bought lenses should be kept in a cool dry place. Unlike contact lenses, your camera lenses should not be allowed to get wet. So store them in the case with padding in a cool dry place. If you live in a humid part of the world, you might want to throw a few packs of silica gel in with the lenses. This will remove any liquid that could condense on the glass surface of the lens accessory.

So remember, always store your lenses, be they eyeglass or contact lenses or expensive camera lenses, in the right case. Glass lenses should be kept in a padded case and contact lenses in a liquid-filled one, to keep the contact lenses wet. Camera and eyeglass lenses must be stored in a cool and dry place and protected from being scratched.