Eyeglasses are not cheap. If your eyeglasses are broken or damaged, it may be worthwhile to try to have them repaired before you invest in a new pair. If the frame is broken or bent, or if the lenses are cracked, you will likely need to take the glasses to an optician for repair. However, if only minor repairs are needed, you may be able to fix your glasses at home.
When to repair or replace eyeglasses
Eyeglasses are prone to getting scratched and damaged. Opticians can often repair bent frames, however, scratches can not be puffed out at our office.
It’s normal to have light scratches on eyeglass lenses. When the scratches begin to interfere with vision, the lenses should be repaired or replaced immediately. The same goes for damaged frames. If the frame no longer sits properly on the nose or ears, it should be repaired or replaced as soon as possible. If you have purchased lenses from our office, depending on the type of lenses and coatings purchased, you may qualify for a warranty replacement, 1 to 2 years from the date of purchase.
One thing to keep in mind is that your prescription may need to be updated even if your glasses are not damaged. If you find that your vision is becoming blurry and it has been a year or more since your last eye exam, it may be time to get a new prescription and a new pair of lenses.
Repairing eyeglass frames
Eyeglass frames can become damaged from accidents or just normal wear and tear. One of the most common problems is a loose screw. Eyeglass repair kits include replacement screws along with small tools to help you tighten loose screws. These kits may also include glue that can be used to repair broken hinges on frames and loose earpieces.
There is a limit to how much damage can be repaired with an eyeglass repair kit sold at grocery stores. If an eyeglass frame is bent, cracked, or broken, it will be necessary to bring the frame to an optician for repair or to purchase a new pair of eyeglasses.
For minor repairs, we will likely be able to do the repair in the office for a small fee. If there is breakage of metal or plastic hinges, temples, nose bridges, etc, we can send it off to our third-party repair for a fee.