If you've ever dropped your glasses, you probably looked on horrified as they bounced across the floor or pavement. Eyeglass lenses can take plenty of abuse, but even with a scratch-resistant coating, accidents do happen. A few basic household supplies allow you to forgo a trip to the repair shop so that you can fix the scratch yourself.

Dab a small amount of nongel toothpaste on the eyeglass lens. Using a cotton swab, rub the toothpaste into the scratch using small, circular motions. After about 10 seconds of rubbing, rinse the lens with lukewarm water, then use a lint-free towel to remove excess paste. If the scratch remains, try another coat of toothpaste or use a different removal method.

Put a pinch or two of baking soda into a small cup, then add a few drops of water. Mix the water and baking soda to form a thick paste. Using a lint-free cloth, apply the paste to the scratched lens. Rub the lens with small circles until the scratch disappears. Rinse the lens with water and wipe dry.

Apply several drops of a glass-etching product to the scratched lens, then let it set for five minutes. Do not rub the product in. Rinse the product off and wipe the lens with a soft cloth. The glass-etching product works by removing the scratch-resistant and antiglare coatings on the lens. Only use this product on plastic lenses. Do not use this product on glass lenses; it will damage them.

Dab the scratched lens with brass polish, silver polish or vehicle wax. Buff the lens gently for up to five minutes. You don't need to rinse; instead, use a cloth to wipe off excess polish or wax. These products work by filling in scratches, so they're less noticeable. Don't use brass or silver polish on glass lenses. Use vehicle wax on any type of lens.