How to Fix Broken Glasses: A Guide to Home Eyeglass Repair

Breaking your glasses can feel devastating. There’s a reason why the infamous crunch of freshly stepped-on glasses is a common trope in movies and TV—damage can mean disaster for those who rely on glasses to see clearly.

Equipping yourself with the knowledge and skills necessary to fix broken glasses at home could help alleviate the stress of damaged glasses. Depending on the type of damage, you may be able to fix your glasses on your own and eliminate the need to wait for a visit to your eye care professional.

Let’s dive into everything you need to know about home eyeglass repair.

Taking Care of Your Glasses

Of course, when it comes to glasses repair, the most effective method is prevention. Taking care of your glasses will reduce the risk of damage and help keep your glasses functioning properly for years. Let’s take a look at some of the best ways to keep your glasses protected.

Use a Case

Most eye care providers or online optical retailers will supply a case with a glasses purchase. There’s a good reason for this—a glasses case is one of the best ways to prevent damage to your glasses when not in use. All Frames by Hubble eyeglasses and sunglasses include a slim, sturdy, tri-fold case for storing your frames and a no-scratch, microfiber cloth to keep your glasses in tip-top shape.

Storing your glasses in a case whenever not in use can help prevent damage. This is especially helpful for avoiding early morning mishaps like stretching a tired arm out and knocking your glasses to the ground, as well as keeping your glasses safe while traveling.

Avoid Sleeping With Glasses

Jumping off the last point—avoid sleeping with your glasses on. While it may be tempting to doze off while watching TV, falling asleep with glasses on can lead to damage. This also includes falling asleep with your glasses on your pillow or anywhere else where they are at risk of being accidentally crushed while you sleep.

Ensure Your Glasses Fit Properly

Loose-fitting glasses can lead to issues including your glasses falling right off your face—which, of course, could mean damage. Keep your glasses fitting properly to avoid potential accidents. Visit your eye care professional to have your frames adjusted if you feel like they aren’t fitting quite right.

Repair or Replace: Is It Time for New Glasses?

Let’s face it: depending on the level of damage, sometimes it simply isn’t worth it to attempt a DIY repair or make the effort to visit a specialist in person. Your frames are important, especially if you wear them every day, so it’s never a bad time to consider an upgrade. When weighing your options on repairing or replacing eyeglasses, consider the following factors:

Assessing the Damage - Begin by evaluating the condition of your glasses. Minor issues such as loose screws or superficial scratches may be remedied with simple home solutions. However, significant damages, like a broken frame or deep lens scratches that impair vision, might require professional attention or lead you to consider a replacement.

Temporary Fixes vs. Long-Term Solutions - Home repairs can offer a quick fix but are often temporary. For example, while tape might hold a broken bridge together, it's not a permanent solution and can lead to discomfort or further damage.

Cost Considerations - Sometimes, the cost of repairing your glasses, especially if they are designer frames or have specialized lenses, can be significant. Compare this cost against that of a new pair of glasses. In some cases, replacing your glasses might be more cost-effective, especially if you're due for an updated prescription or if your frames are outdated.

Your Prescription - If your prescription has changed recently or you’re due for a visit to an optician, repairing your old glasses might not be the best choice. Using an outdated prescription can strain your eyes and not provide you with the clear vision you need. In this case, it's wise to replace your glasses to accommodate your current visual requirements.

Lifestyle and Needs - Your lifestyle and the demands you place on your glasses should influence your decision. If you're active, work in an environment that poses risks to your eyewear, or have a history of breaking glasses, investing in a new, more durable pair could be beneficial in the long run.

Frames by Hubble: The Best Places to Buy Glasses Online

If you’ve made the call that it’s time for new frames, Hubble has got you covered. When it comes to eyewear, we know that durability and affordability are just as important as style and impeccable vision. Our range of handcrafted prescription glasses starts at just $78, with free shipping straight to your home. Every pair offers impact-resistant lenses, sturdy barrel hinges, and padded temple tips for that extra bit of all-day comfort.

Made from premium materials, you can enhance our lenses to minimize scratches and maximize performance with anti-reflective, anti-glare, anti-scratch, hydrophobic, and oleophobic coatings, or add reader magnification or blue light filtering options.

Our extensive selection of frames caters to every preference, featuring styles suited to all face shapes, frame shapes, and colors. Even the smallest spectacle wearers (and their adults) can rest easy with a sturdy pair of frames from our kid’s collection.

How to Fix Broken Glasses: Frames

There are two main categories of glasses repair: frames and lenses. How to fix broken frames will depend on the type of damage, the location of the damage, and your frame material. Let’s take a look at some of the most common types of frame damage and how to fix them.

Broken Bridge

The bridge is what holds your two lenses together, so damage to the bridge may render your glasses entirely unusable. That being said, there are a few quick easy ways to repair your glasses and continue using them until they can be professionally repaired.

For plastic frames, consider using epoxy glue. Clean the broken area with warm water and dab dry with a clean cloth. Then apply a small amount of epoxy glue to the broken area and allow the glue to dry for 1-2 hours before use.

You can also use tape—which may be the best method for fixing a pair of broken glasses metal bridge. Simply wrap the tape around the two sides of the bridge to achieve a temporary hold.

Whichever method you use, this style of repair should only be seen as temporary, as the adhesive will wear off over time.

Broken Nose Pads

Many frame types come with adjustable nose pads to help achieve a secure fit. Over time, the nose pads may become bent, which may lead to a loose fit. These can be easily adjusted by hand or with pliers—however, do so carefully to avoid damage.

If you do happen to damage the nose pads, you may be able to repair them at home. In cases where the nose pad falls off, it can typically be reattached using a small screwdriver from an eyeglasses repair kit. Some repair kits even come loaded with spare nose pads in case your pads break or are lost.

Broken Hinges

Keeping an eyeglasses repair kit on hand is a great idea—not only can it help with broken nose pads, but it’s also great for broken hinges as well.

If you notice that your glasses arm is loose, it may be a result of loose hinge screws. Using the screwdriver from your repair kit, gently tighten the hinge screws. If the screw is missing, it’s possible to order a replacement online.

Remember that the quality of your glasses' materials matters. All of the Frames by Hubble eyeglasses are made-to-order and feature durable barrel hinges for long-lasting performance.

How to Fix Broken Glasses: Lenses

Lens Scratches

Scratches on lenses can be a major annoyance—especially if the scratches are interfering with your ability to see clearly. Luckily, there are a few at-home treatments that minimize the visibility of scratches on your lens.

One method for fixing scratched lenses is using baking soda. Mix one or two tablespoons of baking soda with water to form a paste, and then apply the paste to the lens scratches. Using a cotton swab or soft cloth, rub the paste on the lens to buff out the scratches. Clean the lenses with warm water and dry them with a soft cloth.

An alternative to baking soda is toothpaste. Simply substitute a non-gel toothpaste for the baking soda paste in the process above to achieve similar results.

Keep in mind that these methods will not remove the scratches, but rather make them less noticeable.

Cleaning Your Glasses

Even when your lenses aren’t scratched, sometimes a simple polish is needed to remove debris and smudges, keeping your pair in like-new condition. You can clean your lenses with warm water and a small drop of mild dish soap. Then, dry with a clean, soft cotton cloth, like the microfiber lens cloth that most likely came with your purchase. You can also purchase cleaning products or a lens care kit for comprehensive and effective streak-free cleaning.

When to Have Your Broken Glasses Professionally Repaired or Replaced

You should always keep your glasses in the best shape possible to ensure you're getting optimal vision correction. While there are some small damages that can be repaired at home, having your broken glasses professionally repaired—or replacing them entirely—is always a great idea.

That being said, there are a few instances where home repair isn’t an option. Let’s take a look at some cases in which you should always seek professional repairs or consider purchasing new glasses.

Lens Cracks

Unlike scratches, cracks in your lens can be potentially hazardous if left untreated. Cracks may worsen over time, and shards of the lenses may end up in areas you don’t want them—such as your eye. Always have cracked lenses professionally repaired as soon as possible to minimize risks.

Crushed Glasses

If your glasses are crushed or significantly damaged, it’s always best to get them repaired or replaced. While glue or tape may work for a simple break, it’s best not to try to reassemble glasses that are broken in multiple places. This will most likely result in your glasses not fitting properly or not correcting your vision effectively, which can lead to further issues.

Get the Best Glasses from Hubble

Breaking your glasses is never fun. Knowing how to repair your glasses at home can help in a pinch, but it’s always best to seek help from an eye care professional to ensure your glasses are doing their job effectively.

If your damage is beyond repair, consider a new pair of frames from Hubble. Our line of glasses features a wide variety of styles and designs to suit your needs—from the classics to the most contemporary designs.

Hubble glasses also feature high-quality lenses equipped with a variety of coatings—including anti-scratch and anti-reflective—so that you know your glasses will perform as great as they look.

Getting new glasses is fun—so get started today by checking out Frames by Hubble’s selection of eyeglasses for men, women, and kids!