When to Repair or Replace Eyeglasses

Damaged or broken glasses can be a serious pain. If you rely on glasses to see, breaking your glasses affects your quality of life, and fixing them becomes a top priority.

The first step is determining whether or not your broken glasses can be repaired–whether at home or professionally–or if they need to be replaced altogether. Let’s take a look at when to repair vs. replace eyeglasses lenses and frames.

When to Repair Glasses at Home

The first option most should consider is whether the broken glasses can be fixed at home. This is often more cost-effective than taking your glasses in for professional repairs or replacing them. That being said, at-home fixes should be reserved for minor damage.

Plastic Frame Breaks

Minor frame breaks can be fixed at home–however, this should be considered a temporary fix in most cases.

For plastic frames, breaks can be repaired using epoxy glue. Clean the broken area with warm water and dab dry. Apply a small amount of epoxy glue and gently push the two pieces together. Let dry for 1-2 hours before use.

Tape is another potential solution. However, in either case, the adhesive may weaken over time. Therefore, it’s always best practice to eventually have broken plastic frames professionally repaired or replaced.

Loose Hinges or Nose Pads

If you have the right equipment, fixing loose hinges or nose pads is perhaps the easiest at-home fix. 

To get started, you’ll need a glasses repair kit–these are relatively inexpensive (typically under $20) and are readily available online or at many supermarkets. Most kits come with three components: a small screwdriver, screws, and nose pads. This makes it easy to repair loose screws or replace lost screws and nose pads.

It’s a good idea to regularly check your screws to ensure they’re tight. Not only will this help prevent future issues, but it also can ensure your glasses fit properly.

When to Have Glasses Professionally Repaired

While making simple repairs at home can help save time and money, having your broken glasses professionally repaired is always a great idea. Improperly fixing glasses at home can lead to future damage or even impair your vision, so it’s always recommended to see your eye care professional with any glasses damage.

Keep in mind, there are a few instances where professional repairs are the only option.

Metal Frame Breaks

Unlike plastic frames, metal frames can pose a significant challenge for at-home repair. Glue often is not an option, and while tape can be a quick fix, it shouldn’t be used as a permanent solution.

Depending on the type of metal your glasses are made of, soldering or welding can be used to repair the frames. These methods should always be performed by trained professionals–never try to solder or weld frames at home as this can lead to further glasses damage or personal injury.

Broken Hinges

Tightening or replacing hinge screws is a quick at-home fix; however, broken hinges are a different story. If a hinge cracks or breaks, it can only be repaired by a skilled technician as specialized instruments are required.

When to Replace Eyeglass Lenses and Frames

Sometimes, there’s no solution for glasses damage other than replacement. In some cases, replacement may be the best option even if repair is possible–such as with broken frames. Replacement will decrease the risk of further damage and ensure you’re getting the best possible vision correction.

Let’s take a look at a few situations where it’s best to replace your glasses.

Significant Breaks

Replacing broken frames is always recommended, but for significant damage, it’s a must. If your glasses are broken in multiple places or broken around the lens, it’s best to replace them. Trying to repair numerous breaks at home will likely not be worth the time or effort, even if they are able to be fixed, as the glasses are likely to break again

Lens Damage

While at-home remedies exist for fixing scratched lenses, it is always recommended to have scratched or cracked lenses replaced. There is no way to remove scratches from lenses, and while at-home solutions can help minimize the visibility of scratches, they can also cause further damage to the lenses, such as taking off protective coatings.

Additionally, cracked or chipped lenses can also pose a safety hazard. Even seemingly minor damage can result in shards ending up in places you don’t want them–such as in your eye.

The lenses are the most important part of your glasses, so it’s best to always replace damaged lenses to get the best vision correction possible.

Get Your Next Glasses from Hubble

Glasses damage can be frustrating, especially if it means replacing your glasses entirely. However, replacing your glasses can be exciting, especially if you’re looking to change up your style

When it comes time to replace your glasses, get your next pair 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–all at affordable prices. 

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

Getting new glasses is fun—so get started today by checking out Hubble’s men’s and women’s glasses.