Alexei Volkov
Plastic eyeglass frames can get crooked and warped over time, causing the optical centre of the lenses to become misaligned with your eyes, which may lead to eye strain and headaches. While it is recommended to have an optician adjust your glasses professionally, there are several ways to adjust crooked plastic frames at home.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| When to adjust | Plastic frames may get crooked and warped after being worn for some time, causing eye strain and headaches. |
| What to adjust | The temple arms, or glasses arms, which extend over and around the ears and hold the frame in place. |
| How to adjust | For plastic frames, heat the plastic with a hairdryer, hot water, or a heated container of sand or fine glass beads, then bend the arms by hand. |
| Alternative methods | Bend the nose pieces by gently bending their support wires. |
| When to see a professional | If a screw falls out or an arm is detached. |
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What You'll Learn
Heat frames with a hairdryer or hot water
Heating plastic frames with a hairdryer or hot water is a common method for adjusting crooked glasses frames. This is because the plastic needs to be pliable to be adjusted without breaking.
To start, ensure your glasses are clean and dry, and that your hands are clean so as not to damage the frames. Next, heat the frames. If using a hairdryer, heat the frames for 20 to 60 seconds. If using hot water, run the frames under the water for 15 to 60 seconds, or soak the arms in hot water for up to 10 minutes.
Once the frames are warm, you can begin to adjust them. Be careful not to overheat the frames, as this can lead to deformation, and be sure to use light pressure to avoid snapping the frames. Make small adjustments until you achieve the desired fit, testing the frames on your face as you go.
It is important to note that some frame materials cannot be adjusted, including titanium, memory plastic, and aluminum alloy. If you are uncertain of your glasses' frame material, check the product details.
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Bend the ear pieces to tighten or loosen
To adjust crooked plastic frames, you can bend the ear pieces to tighten or loosen them. This method is suitable for plastic frames with stainless steel rods embedded in them. Some frame materials, like titanium, memory titanium, memory plastic, and aluminum alloy, resist adjustment.
Before you begin, check for any loose screws at the temple corners (hinges) of the frames. If there are any loose screws, tighten them with a small screwdriver from an eyeglass repair kit.
To bend the ear pieces, first, make the plastic pliable by heating it. You can do this by running the earpieces under hot water for 15 to 30 seconds, or by using a hairdryer. If using hot water, place the hot water in a bowl on a towel and submerge only the earpiece, keeping the lenses out of the water to avoid damage.
Once the plastic is heated, hold the glasses face-up with the lenses facing you. Then, place your four fingers under the temple, with your index finger resting at the natural temple bend to support the frames. Use your other hand to slowly and gently push the temple end down. You should feel it bend against your index finger. Repeat this process with the other temple end. Ensure that all adjustments are slight.
After making adjustments, try on your glasses and look in a mirror to see if they appear even. Even if your glasses seem level on a flat surface, they might look uneven when worn due to variations in ear height.
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Bend the nose pieces to tighten or loosen
To adjust crooked plastic frames, you can try bending the nose pieces to tighten or loosen them. First, grip your glasses by the lens and nose bridge. If your glasses are too low or slide down your face, bend the nose pads inward. If your frames sit too high or pinch the bridge of your nose, bend the nose pads outward. Metal frames often have adjustable nose pads, while plastic frames usually have built-in pieces that can't be modified. However, you can purchase anti-slip adhesive nose pads for added support if the bridge width of your plastic frames is uncomfortable.
It's important to note that some frame materials, such as titanium, memory titanium, memory plastic, and aluminum alloy, resist adjustment. Before attempting to adjust your frames, it's helpful to learn the basic anatomy of your glasses and check for loose screws. Most frames have screws at the temple corners or hinges. If a screw falls out or an arm is detached, don't try to fix your glasses at home; instead, consult an optician for professional assistance.
When adjusting the nose pieces, use your thumb and index finger to gently grasp each nose pad. Make small adjustments and avoid exerting too much force to prevent breakage. You can also try adjusting the temple tips of your frames by running them under warm water for about 30 seconds. For a too-loose fit, gently bend the tips slightly downwards. For a too-tight fit, bend the tips slightly upwards. Always make gradual adjustments to avoid over-correcting.
If you want a more permanent solution for your plastic frames, consider sending them to an optician who has the professional equipment to "sand bathe" and soften the plastic frames for adjustments. This method involves using a heated container with sand or fine glass beads to soften the plastic before bending it into the desired position. While it may be more convenient to adjust your frames at home, an experienced eye care specialist will have the training, tools, and expertise to handle different frame materials and fit issues properly.
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Bend the temple arms to adjust the tilt
To adjust crooked plastic frames, you can bend the temple arms to adjust the tilt. This can be done by applying heat to the temple arms, either by using hot water or a hairdryer.
Firstly, determine if the left or right lens is closer to your face. If the left lens is closer, gently pull the left temple arm in or push the right temple arm out. If the right lens is closer to your face, gently pull the right temple arm in or push the left temple arm out. Small adjustments are key to achieving a precise fit, so be careful not to apply excessive force.
To apply heat to the temple arms, submerge the temple ends of your glasses in hot or warm water for 30-60 seconds. Make sure to keep the lenses out of the water to avoid damage. Alternatively, use a hairdryer to heat the temple arms. After applying heat, hold the glasses face-up with the lenses facing you. Then, place your four fingers under the temple, with your index finger resting at the natural temple bend to support the frames. Use your other hand to slowly and gently push the temple end down, bending it against your index finger. Repeat this process for the other temple end.
If the arms of your glasses are bent too much or not enough, you can re-bend them to fit properly around your ears. Straighten out the existing bend and use cool water to set the arm. Place the glasses on your face and mark where you need to bend the arm around your ears. Heat the area where you plan to make the new bend, and bend the arm so there is a slight curve behind the ear.
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Adjust the hinge without applying heat
Adjusting the hinge of your plastic frames without applying heat is possible, but it is important to be cautious as plastic is a brittle substance and can break easily.
Firstly, check for any loose screws at the temple corners, or hinges, of the frames. If there are any loose screws, tighten them with a small screwdriver.
If the left lens is closer to your face, gently pull the left temple arm in or push the right temple arm out at the hinge. If the right lens is closer, reverse this process by pulling the right temple arm in or pushing the left temple arm out. Small adjustments are key for a precise fit, so avoid using too much force.
If your glasses are pinching your nose, you can adjust the nose pieces by gently bending their support wires. Bend them inwards to make the glasses tighter and outwards to loosen the fit.
You can also adjust the earpieces, or temple arms, by bending them slightly up or down. If the glasses are pinching your ears, bend the earpieces outwards. If the glasses are too loose and slipping down your nose, bend the earpieces inwards towards your head.
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