The claim. “Lens Doctor glides on silky smooth, instantly filling surface imperfections” and “dries to an invisible, clear finish!” There’s “no replacing glasses for one minor scratch!” Cleaning solution, cloth, and treatment solution cost $14.95 plus shipping via mail order (www.lensdoctortv.com). It took almost two months for our order to arrive.

The check. We had an independent lab measure unscratched eyeglass lenses for haze and readability, then scratch them and measure again. Then the lab treated the lenses with Lens Doctor one, two, and three times (directions say deep scratches might need more than one coating), measuring haze and resolution between treatments. We also asked four panelists to try Lens Doctor on their scratched glasses, applying it more than once if they weren’t satisfied.

CR’s take. The clear choice is to avoid Lens Doctor. One coat reduced haze but lessened readability slightly; a second coat just made matters worse. “A customer,” the lab said, “would be somewhat dissatisfied to totally dissatisfied with this product.” Our panelists were. “The glasses are worse than before,” one said.