Sunglasses, especially prescription glasses, have lenses that can be removed. If you need to remove one or both of them, there are some steps you need to follow to avoid damaging them or ruining the frame. Almost all sunglass lenses are made of plastic, which makes them inherently flexible and offer a larger margin of safety than traditional glass lenses. Remember, though, that you should never try to do this with models that are built as a single piece of plastic, where the lenses are integrated into the frame.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Unscrew the Hinge
Step 1. Place the glasses on a flat surface with the temples open
Observe the angles and verify that there is a means that connects the temples to the circle around the lenses. If you have difficulty seeing this area, then use a magnifying glass or a stronger light.
- On some plastic models the temples are fixed thanks to a hinge drowned in the frame, so you can't easily disassemble them and you shouldn't even force them; if so, skip the next step.
- In other circumstances, the rods are instead fixed with screws to the hinge and the latter is integrated into the same plastic frame. If this is your case, go straight to the next method.
- If the hinge is attached to the frame with screws, you can proceed with the next step.
Step 2. Turn the screw to remove it from the hinge
You have to remove the one closest to the mount and not the shaft; use the screwdriver from an eyeglass repair kit. You should only do this on the side of the lens you want to remove, unless you want to take them both apart.
- These frames are very light, so you have to hold them steady with one hand, whether it's your other free or that of a helper.
- Most of the screws used on glasses are right-handed; this means that to unscrew it you have to turn it anticlockwise and to tighten it clockwise.
- Once the screw is removed, carefully set it aside. These are very small parts that are easily lost; it is worth fixing it to a piece of tape that is not too sticky. Many eyeglass repair kits include bins in which to temporarily store the screws.
Step 3. Apply light pressure on the lens
At this point, the frame and hinge should be separated; if the lens does not come out spontaneously, push it a little more.
- If you skipped the step to remove the screw from the hinge, remember that you will be putting some tension on the hinge itself; therefore avoid grabbing the rods during this process.
- Hold the frame so that only two fingers are pushing from the back, preferably the thumbs.
- Check that the glasses are not too high above the work surface; also be careful not to accidentally lift them as you slowly apply pressure, gradually increasing it until the lens falls forward.
- When you have the lens out, take a hard, but soft-coated, case to store it in until you decide what to do with it next.
Step 4. Refit the zipper again
Leave the frame in this condition until you have the replacement lens to insert. By doing this, you prevent the glasses from getting damaged and there is less risk of losing the original screw.
- Check that the hinge connecting the shaft to the frame is aligned correctly.
- Many screwdrivers contained in the repair kits have a magnetic tip, which helps keep the screw aligned with the hinge opening.
- Generally, you should turn the screw clockwise to tighten it.
- Hold the mount and shaft with one hand or have a person help you while you use the screwdriver to complete the task.
Step 5. Get the replacement lens
You should see your eye doctor if you need a new prescription. To correctly reassemble the lens, an optician may be required.
Method 2 of 2: Pull the Lens straight out
Step 1. Place the glasses on a flat surface
Make sure they are well supported, so that the rods are open and directed towards you. The glasses are best placed upside down in their case, so that the top bar rests on the surface away from you.
- You must be sure that the hinges of the rods are not subjected to more stress, so be careful not to accidentally press on them.
- Have a lens cleaner or warm water, soap, and a microfiber cloth on hand, as it touches the lenses much more than the method described above.
Step 2. Apply pressure around the lens to snap it out of its housing
Since you haven't loosened the rim of the frame, you have to gradually pull out the lens by pushing it.
- Grab your sunglasses by the frame and not by the lenses; this way, you can place two fingers on the lens and apply pressure along the edge where it engages with the rim.
- Push the lens forward, away from the temples, gradually increasing the pressure along the edge, until you are successful in your intent; in doing so, do not press the lens against the nose pad.
- On some models, the lenses are sunken into the frame, so there is a lot of material or a very thick border around them, making this technique impractical. Only in this case, you have to turn the glasses so that the temples are away from you and exert the same gradual pressure to remove the lenses towards the inside.
- If you need to remove the lenses towards the back, apply pressure first on the outer edge (near the temples) to be able to then move them away from the nosepiece.
Step 3. Clean the lenses
This step is very important if you plan to reuse them.
- If you have decided to use a special cleaner, make sure it is suitable for surface and anti-reflective treatments.
- Spray the lenses with some cleaner or wet them under running water.
- If you have opted for soap and water, put a small amount of the latter on the lenses; at the end, rinse with plenty of warm water.
- In both cases, finish the cleaning by drying the lenses with a microfiber cloth.
Step 4. Get replacement lenses
If you need prescription ones, see an ophthalmologist. It may be necessary to consult an optician for the correct fitting of the new lenses.
With this method there is a high risk of damaging the frame; you should therefore carefully inspect it before proceeding, especially looking for small cracks in the plastic models
Step 5. Finished
Advice
- Have a spare kit handy that contains a small screwdriver and screws.
- If your sunglasses have prescription lenses and you have damaged the frame or the lenses themselves, the only way to correctly insert a spare part or repair it is to contact an optician.
- Sunglasses are perfect for protecting your eyes from damage caused by ultraviolet rays.
- Consult an ophthalmologist for any relevant vision problems.
Warnings
- Removing the lenses always runs the risk of damaging them or ruining the frame.
- Never try to follow these methods with sunglasses constructed from a single piece of plastic, as the lenses may be integrated into the frame.
