Sofia Martinez
Adjusting your eyeglass frames can be a tricky process, but it's important to ensure your glasses fit correctly for maximum comfort and vision. With 164 million Americans wearing glasses, misaligned frames are a common problem. This can be due to a variety of reasons, including your glasses becoming older, heat deformation, or dropping them. Luckily, there are several ways to adjust your plastic frames at home, such as using a hair dryer or running them under hot water to heat up the frames before carefully bending them. However, it's important to be cautious as frames can be brittle and snap easily.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| When to Adjust | When glasses feel tight or uncomfortable, or when they slide down your face |
| What to Adjust | Nosepads, earpieces, arms, temple arms, hinges |
| Tools | Hair dryer, hot water, pliers, eyeglass repair kit |
| Tips | Wash hands first, use light pressure, make small adjustments, don't overheat, don't force |
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What You'll Learn
Heat frames with a hairdryer or hot water
If your glasses are made from plastic or acetate, they will need to be heated to be adjusted. This is because acetate is not pliable at room temperature. You can use either hot water or a hairdryer to heat the frames.
Using hot water
Place a bowl of hot water on a towel and then place the temple end piece (the part that goes over your ear) into the water for 30 seconds to a minute. Keep the lenses out of the water to avoid damage. Carefully remove the temple from the water and touch the end to make sure it's not too hot.
Using a hairdryer
Hold the hairdryer close to the part of the frame you want to adjust for 20 to 60 seconds.
Once the frames are warm, you can start to adjust them. Be careful not to overheat the frames, as this can cause deformation, and be sure to apply only light pressure to avoid snapping the frames.
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Bend the earpiece to a 90-degree angle
If your glasses are sliding down your face, you can adjust the earpiece to a 90-degree angle to tighten the fit. Before you start, it's important to remember that you should never try to bend or adjust any plastic frame parts without first heating up the frame—the plastic can snap even when heated.
To heat up the frame, run the earpiece under hot water for 15 to 25 seconds, or heat it with a hairdryer for 20 to 30 seconds. Once the frame is warm, you can start to adjust it. Hold the glasses face-up with the lenses facing you. Place your four fingers under the temple of the glasses, 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. Remember, all of these adjustments should be slight.
If your glasses are too tight and are hurting the back of your ear, you can adjust the earpiece to be less of an angle. After making adjustments, place the glasses on a flat surface to let them cool. Then, try them on to test the fit and make sure they're secure. You can always adjust them again if you find they're uneven.
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Adjust the nosepiece
To adjust the nosepiece of your eyeglasses, start by placing your glasses on a flat surface to ensure they are level. Flip the glasses onto their backside to verify that the frame is also level. Next, use your non-dominant hand to pinch the bridge of your glasses between the lenses, being careful not to put pressure on the lenses. You can place a glasses cleaning cloth over the lenses to prevent smudges.
Now, use your dominant hand to make adjustments to the nose pads. If your glasses feel too loose or sit too low on your face, gently bend the nose pad inwards, tilting the top portion away from the lens and towards your nose. If your glasses feel too tight or sit too high on your face, gently bend the nose pad outwards, tilting the top portion towards the lens and away from your nose. Make sure to adjust both the left and right sides evenly, then test the fit by trying on your glasses. You can readjust the pads as needed until your glasses rest comfortably on your face.
If your glasses still don't fit properly, you may need to replace the nose pads. Your nose pads will either screw or snap into your frames, so they are easy to replace. For screw-in pads, use a small screwdriver to loosen the screw on the back of the nose pad and then remove it. Slide the new nose pad into place and screw it back in. For snap-on pads, simply pry the old pad out with a flathead screwdriver or butter knife, and push the new pad into the socket. You can buy replacement nose pads in a glasses repair kit or online.
If you don't want to replace the nose pads, you can try adjusting the nose pad arms. Nose pad arms can be adjusted with pliers, which provide a good grip and minimise the risk of damage. Nose pad pliers have a small gap that fits perfectly around the nose pad when you grip it. Line up the gap on the pliers with where the frames connect to the nose pad and squeeze the handles together firmly. You can also use pliers to gently pinch the pad arms closer together to reduce the space between the pads and create a tighter fit.
Finally, if your glasses have a plastic bridge, you can try heating and reshaping it to better fit your nose. Use a hair dryer to warm the plastic bridge, then press inward with your fingers before cooling the plastic under cold water to set the shape.
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Bend the temple arm
To adjust the temple arms of your eyeglass frames, you can bend them slightly to achieve your desired fit. Before making any adjustments, it is important to note that some frame materials are more resistant to adjustment than others. For example, stainless steel or plastic/acetate arms with embedded stainless steel rods are readily adjustable, while TR, titanium, memory titanium, memory plastic, and aluminum alloy are more challenging to adjust. If you are uncertain about your glasses' frame material, you can refer to the product specifications or seek advice from customer support.
Now, to bend the temple arm, start by standing in front of a mirror and marking any areas of discomfort or misalignment. Next, heat the desired section of the temple arm with warm water or a hairdryer to soften the plastic. Be cautious when applying heat, especially with a hairdryer, as excessive heat can damage the frame. After heating, carefully press on the marked area from the inside to achieve the desired curvature. Remember to apply gentle and steady pressure, avoiding any abrupt or excessive force that could damage the frame.
When adjusting the temple arm, focus on the area behind the ear. The arm should bend slightly to ensure a comfortable and secure fit. If the bend in the temple starts before your ear, you will need to adjust it outwards to loosen the temple and achieve the ideal 45-degree angle. Conversely, if the temple arm is too loose, you can gently bend it inwards to tighten the fit. Always make minor adjustments and check the fit to avoid over-adjusting.
After bending, set the new shape by rinsing the temple arm with cold water. Once the plastic cools down, try on your glasses to evaluate the fit and comfort. If further adjustments are needed, repeat the process, ensuring precision and caution. Remember, it is always recommended to consult an optician or eye care provider for professional advice and adjustments, especially for delicate or sturdy frame materials.
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Avoid snapping the frames
Plastic frames can be adjusted at home, but it is important to be cautious to avoid snapping them. Some frame materials, such as memory plastic, are resistant to adjustment, so it is important to check the frame material before attempting any adjustments. If you are uncertain about the flexibility of your frames, it is best to consult an optician for adjustments.
To avoid snapping your plastic frames, never attempt to bend or adjust the plastic parts without first heating them up. Run the plastic parts under hot water or use a hairdryer to heat them for 30 seconds to 2 minutes. This will make the plastic more pliable and less likely to snap. Avoid using too much force when adjusting the heated plastic, as it can still break if dealt with incorrectly.
It is also important to be gentle when adjusting the nose pads. Exerting too much force on the delicate nose pads can cause breakage. Instead, use your thumb and index finger to gently grasp each nose pad and carefully wiggle them outwards until they sit comfortably against your nose. Small adjustments are all that is needed to fine-tune the fit.
If your frames have screws, be careful not to overtighten them, as this can cause the frames to become wobbly or uncomfortable. Regularly check that the screws are not loose to avoid losing them. If a screw falls out or an arm becomes detached, do not try to fix this at home. Bring your frames to an optician for expert fine-tuning.
Finally, remember that all adjustments should be slight. You can always adjust your frames again later if needed. Test the fit of your glasses after each adjustment to ensure they are comfortable and secure. If you are unsure about making adjustments yourself, opticians are highly capable of modifying plastic frames with precision.
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Frequently asked questions
Soak the arms of your glasses in warm water for 30-60 seconds. Then, apply downward and inward pressure to the ends of the arms to achieve a tighter fit behind the ear.
Soak the arms of your glasses in warm water and apply upward and outward pressure on the end of the arms to achieve a wider fit. Keep trying on the glasses, testing them until you get the right amount of space.
Use your thumbs to move the nose pads closer together until you reach your desired comfort and tightness level. Make sure to bend them both at the same time or keep track of how much you bend them so that they're equally tight.
