Alexei Volkov
Sunglasses are a great accessory, but what happens when your lenses get scratched, cracked, or discoloured? Replacing the lenses can give your favourite pair of shades a new lease of life and save you the cost of buying a new pair. It's important to choose the right type and size of replacement lenses, and you may need to adjust your frames to fit the new lenses properly. You can replace lenses yourself by removing the old ones and snapping the new lenses into place, but for optimal results and to avoid damaging your frames, it's recommended to consult an optician or optometrist, or use a custom lens service.
How to replace lenses in plastic sunglasses
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reasons to replace lenses | Scratches, cracks, discolouration, outdated prescription, desire for lens upgrades |
| When to buy new sunglasses instead | Frame damage, outdated style, significant wear and tear, availability of replacement lenses |
| Finding the right replacement lenses | Match the model number, colour code, and size of the lenses |
| Lens material | Polycarbonate plastic for high UV protection and lightweight durability; glass for high scratch resistance and low UV protection |
| Lens coatings | Scratch-resistant, UV protection, mirror |
| Lens colours | Grey or green for driving; avoid brown and amber |
| Installation | Warm the frames with water, gently pull up on the top of the frame, push the lens out from the back, insert the replacement lens at the nose bridge, and snap into place |
| Professional installation | Recommended to avoid damage to frames or lenses |
| Cost | Starting from $34.99 with free shipping |
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What You'll Learn
- Choosing replacement lenses: opt for polycarbonate plastic lenses for high UV protection
- Finding the right size: measure the width of the lenses and the bridge and earpiece length
- Removing old lenses: gently pull up on the top of the frame while pushing the lens out from the back
- Inserting new lenses: start at the nose bridge and press the lens along the perimeter until it snaps into place
- Consult an optician: they can assess the condition of your current lenses and provide guidance
Choosing replacement lenses: opt for polycarbonate plastic lenses for high UV protection
When choosing replacement lenses for your plastic sunglasses, it is important to select the right type and size. You can opt for polycarbonate plastic lenses, which offer high UV protection. Polycarbonate lenses are made from a lightweight thermoplastic polymer, which is thin, impact-resistant, and durable. They are ideal for those who need strong and long-lasting lenses, such as athletes and children, and are perfect for sports and outdoor activities.
Polycarbonate lenses are also a popular choice for prescription glasses, as they can accommodate a range of prescriptions, from low to moderate strength. They are thinner and lighter than standard plastic or glass lenses, making them comfortable to wear. Additionally, they are more shatter-resistant than traditional plastic lenses, which is especially important for children's eyewear.
When it comes to UV protection, polycarbonate lenses excel. They offer 100% UV protection, shielding your eyes from harmful UVA and UVB rays. This feature makes them an excellent choice for both adults and children, as they help protect against the risk of eye health issues caused by long-term sun exposure.
While polycarbonate lenses offer superior impact resistance and UV protection, they are less scratch-resistant than glass lenses. To enhance scratch resistance, you can add a scratch-resistant coating to your polycarbonate lenses. This coating is invisible and will not affect the appearance of the lenses while providing added protection.
When replacing your sunglass lenses, it is recommended to consult an optician or optometrist to assess your specific needs and ensure proper alignment and fit. You can also order replacement lenses online or from a sunglasses retailer, ensuring you have the correct model number, color code, and lens size.
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Finding the right size: measure the width of the lenses and the bridge and earpiece length
To find the right size for your replacement lenses, you'll need to take a few measurements. Firstly, you need to measure the width of the lenses. You can find this by checking the bridge of the frame, where there should be a size in either millimetres or centimetres. For example, a lens size might be given as "50 to 75 millimetres (5.0 to 7.5 cm)".
In addition to the lens width, there will also be a measurement for the bridge width and earpiece length. These measurements are important to ensure that your new lenses fit your frames. You can use these measurements to order the correct size lenses for your sunglasses.
It's worth noting that the model number of your sunglasses can also be useful when ordering replacement lenses. This can usually be found on the inside of one of the temple pieces (the arms) of the sunglasses. With the model number, you can more easily find the right replacement lenses for your specific sunglasses.
If you're unsure about installing new lenses yourself, it's recommended to consult a professional optician or technician. They will have the proper tools and techniques to ensure accurate lens fitting and avoid any potential damage to your frames or lenses. They may also need to adjust the frames to ensure proper alignment and fit with the new lenses, which can involve heating and reshaping the plastic frames to match the curvature of the lenses.
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Removing old lenses: gently pull up on the top of the frame while pushing the lens out from the back
To remove the old lenses from your plastic sunglasses, begin by softening the frames with warm water. This will make the frames easier to work with and reduce the risk of damage. Next, gently pull up on the top of the frame while simultaneously pushing the lens out from the back. It is important to be careful and gentle during this step to avoid bending or breaking the frame. The lens should come out fairly easily if you apply firm and steady pressure in this manner. If you are having difficulty, ensure that the frames are sufficiently softened and try again, being careful not to force it. Once the lens is removed, you can insert the replacement lens, starting at the nose bridge and pressing along the perimeter until it snaps securely into place.
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Inserting new lenses: start at the nose bridge and press the lens along the perimeter until it snaps into place
To insert new lenses into plastic sunglasses, it is recommended that you first consult an optician or optometrist to assess the condition of your current lenses and frames, and to provide guidance based on your specific needs. They will also be able to perform the replacement safely and accurately, avoiding any damage to the frames or lenses.
However, if you would like to insert the lenses yourself, you should start by ordering the correct replacement lenses. To do this, find the model number of the lenses on the inside of one of the temple pieces (the arms of the sunglasses). You will also need the size of the lenses, which can be found on the bridge of the frame, and the colour code, which is usually next to the model number. With this information, you can order the replacement lenses online or from an eyeglass or sunglass retailer.
Once you have the replacement lenses, start by using warm water to soften the frames. Then, grip the top of the frame at the nose bridge with one hand and the lens with the other. Gently pull up on the top of the frame while pushing the lens out from the back. Now, take the new lens and insert it into the nose bridge. Press the lens along the perimeter until it snaps securely into place.
If necessary, you can adjust the frames by heating and reshaping them to match the curvature of the lenses.
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Consult an optician: they can assess the condition of your current lenses and provide guidance
When considering replacing the lenses in your plastic sunglasses, it is a good idea to consult an optician or optometrist. They are trained to examine eyes, test sight, diagnose abnormalities, and prescribe suitable corrective lenses. They can assess the condition of your current lenses and provide guidance on the best way forward.
Optometrists can recognise abnormalities and conditions such as cataracts or glaucoma and prescribe and fit glasses and contact lenses. They can advise on the type of lenses that would be most suitable for your needs. For example, if you are light-sensitive, they may recommend photochromic lenses, which darken automatically in sunlight. If you plan to wear the sunglasses for driving, they can advise on the best lens colour to ensure optimal colour differentiation. They can also advise on lens coatings, such as scratch-resistant coatings or mirror coatings, and ensure that your lenses meet the required safety standards.
If you wear prescription sunglasses and your vision has changed, an optometrist can provide new lenses with your updated prescription. They can also advise on frame adjustment to ensure proper alignment and fit with the new lenses. This may involve heating and reshaping the plastic frames to match the curvature of the lenses.
By consulting an optician or optometrist, you can benefit from their expertise and guidance to make informed decisions about replacing the lenses in your plastic sunglasses. They can help you choose the most suitable lenses for your specific needs and ensure that they are properly fitted and aligned to provide optimal vision and protection.
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Frequently asked questions
First, check the size of the lenses on the bridge of the frame. You should see two measurements: the width of the lenses and the bridge and earpiece length. You'll need the width to order the correct size. Next, find the model number of the lenses, which will usually be on the inside of the temple pieces (arms) of the sunglasses. You can then use this to search for the right replacement lenses. Finally, check the colour code of the lenses, which will be next to the model number.
This depends on your needs. Polycarbonate plastic lenses are light and durable, making them ideal for sunglasses that you plan to wear often. However, they're not very scratch-resistant, so consider adding a scratch-resistant coating. Glass lenses offer high scratch resistance but are heavy and fragile, so they're not ideal for everyday use. Polarized lenses are a good option if you want to reduce glare.
You can either install the lenses yourself or get a professional to do it. If you want to install them yourself, use warm water to soften the frames. Then, gently pull up on the top of the frame while pushing the old lens out from the back. Insert the new lens at the nose bridge and press along the perimeter until it snaps into place.
