After prolonged use, your glasses may fit differently, pinch your nose, hurt your ears, or just look crooked on your face. You can take your pair of glasses to an optician for repair, or go it alone with the simple tips in this tutorial.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Evaluating the Adjustments to Make
Step 1. Stand in front of the mirror and look straight ahead
Place your glasses so that the center of each lens is aligned with that of your eyes. This is the optical center and the ideal position it should assume. All modifications made to the frame aim at aligning the optical center with the pupils.
If you have bifocals, the reference line should fall on the lower lid. If the lenses are trifocal, the top line should fall on the lower part of the pupil
Step 2. Look for any auction issues
If the glasses look crooked or very tilted towards one side of the face, the problem could be caused by very misaligned temples. To check this, place your glasses on a flat surface. Both rods should rest evenly on the table. If not, you will have to adjust them.
If the glasses look straight on the floor but crooked on the face, then your ears may be at different heights. In this case you have to misalign the temples to compensate for the different position of the ears
Step 3. Find any problems on the bridge
Observe the height of the glasses relative to the face. If you feel that the lenses are too high or too low in relation to the eyes, then the problem may be the bridge. You will need to modify this element to bring the glasses into the right position.
Step 4. Find out if the frame is too tight or if it slips out of your ears
The lenses may be perfectly centered and at the correct height; however, you may perceive the glasses as too narrow or too wide. You can modify these parameters by bending the ends of the rods outwards or inwards, according to your needs. If you bend them outward, you will release unnecessary pressure on your head or temples; if you fold them inwards you will instead enjoy a more secure fit.
Step 5. Check if the glasses slip
Although every parameter is perfect, the glasses could slide along the nose. If so, you can adjust the screws that secure the temples to the lenses.
Part 2 of 3: Making the Changes
Step 1. Align the rods
These are the elements that rest on the ears and partially envelop the auricle. Their purpose is to keep the mount in place. Once you have determined the type of modifications to be made, you need to consider the model of the glasses, as the approach varies according to the material of which the frame is made (metal or plastic).
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If the frame is metal, gently bend the temples with the help of a pair of small pliers until they are straight. Put on your glasses and look at the image in the mirror to make sure they are straight.
Do not use wire cutters. Better to use tweezers or you risk damaging the frame
- If the frame is made of plastic, then you have to heat the lower rod using the hot air emitted, for example, by a hair dryer. In this way the material becomes malleable. Slowly move the rod upward with your hands until it is in the desired position. Be very careful when using the hair dryer, otherwise you could melt the plastic.
- Another way to fold plastic is to put it under very hot running water for 15 to 25 seconds before proceeding. This way the rods should be malleable enough to handle the action of your hands, but always be very cautious. However, hot plastic can crack.
Step 2. Adjust the terminals
If the glasses rest badly on the ears, to the point of leaving marks on the auricle or on the side of the head, bend the end portion of the temples outwards. If, on the other hand, the glasses are too wide, fold the terminals towards the head. Also in this case you have to pay attention to the type of frame in your possession.
- Metal frames can be bent with pliers or with your hands.
- Plastic frames must be made malleable with the heat of the air or water before the terminals can be modified.
Step 3. Tighten the screws on the sides of the temples
This way you can adjust the glasses that tend to slide on the nose and you will be sure that the lenses are well fixed in the frame. You will need a very small screwdriver to proceed, usually included in eyeglass repair and cleaning kits.
Be careful not to overtighten the screws or you risk damaging the plastic or metal that holds them in place
Step 4. Adjust the nose pads to improve comfort
If the glasses sit too high on the nose, then you need to widen the nose pads. If, on the other hand, the glasses are too low in relation to the face, then you have to bring the nose pads closer. Try to move these elements at even distances, to ensure the symmetry of the glasses.
Part 3 of 3: Avoid Breaking Your Glasses
Step 1. Make only minor adjustments
Never make drastic or very large changes at one time. In most cases it is more difficult to get the mount back to its original state after a repair than it is to make minor adjustments. For this reason limit yourself to small changes, check the position of the glasses and continue like this until you are satisfied with the result.
Step 2. Avoid breaking the frame
When making repairs on celluloid glasses, you must always apply a minimum of pressure, just enough to be able to perform the modification. If you are too impetuous, you can break the plastic and the glasses will be unusable.
Step 3. Take all necessary precautions
When using the pliers to modify the various components of the mount, wrap the tips of the instrument with masking tape. By doing so you do not irreversibly scratch your glasses. Remember that there is no way to fix the scratches, this means that you will have a pair of glasses that fit perfectly, but that look chewed by a dog.
Step 4. Learn about the mounts
There are many models and styles made from materials that cannot be changed. Titanium, shape memory plastic or aluminum alloy frames are designed to withstand deformation, manipulation and adjustment attempts.
Step 5. Know when to give up
While you can make adjustments yourself to fit your glasses more comfortably, there are times when it is better to purchase a new pair. If you have already made many changes to the frames, nose pads and temple tips without any satisfactory results, then it's time to buy some new glasses. After years of use, some models simply cannot be recovered.
As an additional note, remember that you should have an eye examination at least once a year, to be sure that the optical correction is always up to date with your visual acuity
Advice
- Always store your glasses in their protective case to avoid scratches and extend the life of the frame.
- If you don't know how to proceed, go to an optical store. Most opticians will make the adjustment at no cost or for a minimal fee.
- Protect your lenses from scratches and fingerprints by using a microfiber cloth to grip your glasses while you make repairs.
- You can find eyeglass repair kits in optical and hardware stores. They typically contain all the tools you need to make simple changes to your glasses.
