Your prescription glasses are your ticket to clear vision as you move about the world. If they break, you’re not just looking at a damaged accessory—you’re losing a crucial tool that helps you see! Maybe you have a cracked glasses frame, or one of the glasses arms broke off. Maybe your frames even snapped right across the bridge (the horror!).
So, can eyeglasses be repaired? The short answer is yes, but in most cases, you’ll want to seek the help of a professional. In this article, we’ll walk you through how to mend your broken glasses depending on which parts have been affected and the severity of the damage.
What To Do if Your Glasses Break
First, determine which part of your glasses is broken and the degree of damage. Did a screw come loose, or is it something more severe, like a broken piece of the frame? Analyzing the extent of the break will help determine whether it’s a quick fix or a more complex problem in need of professional attention.
If you’re considering fixing the glasses yourself, you should know that you’re always taking a risk. DIY methods are unreliable and can even worsen the damage. So, it’s important to do your research before attempting anything. In most circumstances, we recommend replacing your damaged frames completely or visiting an optician to assess the problem.
Tips for Fixing Broken Glasses
The exact fix for a broken frame depends on the problem. Before you grab the glue gun or pliers, consult the below tips on repairing your eyeglasses or sunglasses.
How To Fix a Broken Glasses Frame
When preparing to fix a glasses frame, the material matters.
Metal Frames
Is your metal frame bent out of shape? You can apply pressure to straighten the frames or nose pieces, but be sure not to force it and cause more harm than good. If you are too heavy-handed when adjusting your glasses, you can break them in two.
If your metal frames have already snapped, do not attempt to glue or solder them together (heat can literally melt the lenses). Take them to an optician, where they can be properly replaced.
Acetate Frames
When fixing bent acetate frames, hot steam or water can make your glasses pliable. However, because plastic frames are less durable than metal, they’re more likely to break if you make the adjustments yourself. Additionally, heat can damage the lens coatings if they aren’t removed or covered. It’s always better to contact an optician to make adjustments on your behalf.
(Remember, if you need an adjustment on your Warby Parker frames, the opticians at our retail locations are happy to assist, free of charge!)
Acetate frames that have already snapped likewise require a professional’s help. Do not try to repair the frame by gluing the parts together, as it’s not a permanent fix and will likely affect the frame’s fit.
Is It Possible to Reuse Lenses in New Frames?
Let’s say your glasses frame breaks—can the same lenses be used in a new frame?
If you’re purchasing a new frame style, the lenses would need to be cut to fit the new frame, and the area you look through (AKA the optical center) on each lens would not be ideally aligned with your pupils. Reusing lenses can therefore lead to changes in your visual acuity and even eye strain, so it would not be recommended.
If you’re getting the same frame style again, the old lenses might fit, but it’s still best to leave this call up to an optician.
How To Fix Broken or Scratched Glasses Lenses
Broken lenses are not only a nuisance but a potential danger—they can have jagged edges or pieces that shouldn’t be anywhere near your eyes or fingers. If a lens is cracked, missing a piece, or shattered, you’ll absolutely need to get it fully replaced.
What about scratched lenses? Well, there are guides out there that recommend at-home fixes for repairing scratches, but like any DIY solution, they put your lenses at risk for further damage. We still recommend taking your glasses to an optician in this case.
At Warby Parker, all of our lenses come with a scratch-resistant coating. If your lenses become scratched within six months of your glasses purchase, we’ll replace the whole kit and caboodle for free—and if it’s been longer than that, you may still be eligible for a lens replacement.
How To Repair Glasses Hinges and Nose Pads
When working on mending broken glasses, two other common questions often arise: how to fix broken nose pads and how to fix a broken glasses hinge.
Luckily, both fixes aren’t too complicated if the hinge or nose pad just needs tightening. A standard glasses repair kit will have everything you need to make these repairs—including a tiny (cute!) screwdriver, screws, and a carrying case.
You can use these tools to tighten the screws located in the hinges and nose pads and even replace a nose pad completely if you have suitable spares. (If you’re looking for new screws or nose pads for a Warby Parker frame, stop by one of our stores!)
However, if either of these parts needs more work than a simple adjustment, then—you guessed it—you should take your glasses to an optician.
How Much Does It Cost To Fix Broken Glasses?
Many optical shops can fix a broken pair of frames for a reasonable price, but the amount can vary depending on the specific situation and what needs to be repaired. The simplest eyeglass repairs shouldn’t run you more than $50. But in some cases, the frames or lenses won’t be salvageable and will have to be replaced, increasing the cost.
The cost of replacing your frames or lenses depends on several factors, including your vision insurance coverage and whether you need specialized lenses or coatings.
But there’s good news: If your Warby Parker glasses break or sustain damage within 30 days of receipt, we’ll help you get a free replacement. After 30 days, we offer free adjustments and nose pad or screw replacements.
5 Ways To Prevent Glasses From Breaking
We get it—life happens, and you can’t always prevent the small accidents that might cause your glasses to break. But there are a few things that you can do to protect your frames and lenses from damage:
- Use a protective case when your glasses aren’t on your face
- Don’t pull your glasses off roughly by one arm—instead, take them off gently by gripping both sides of the frame
- Avoid placing your glasses in your pocket or bag by themselves
- Don’t wear glasses on the top of your head where you might forget about them
- Be sure to check your seat before sitting down (yes, many glasses break because the wearer sat on them!)
Our Best Advice? Seek Out Professional Advice
Our opticians in store and over the phone are happy to help find the best solution for your glasses repair. Sometimes it may be best to replace the lenses or frames. If you rely on your glasses, then it’s worth considering a backup pair. (Just in case!)
