Ethan Clarke
Plastic eyeglass frames can be adjusted at home to achieve the perfect fit. This can be done by soaking the arms of the glasses in hot water for 30-60 seconds and then carefully bending them outwards and upwards. If the frame slides down your face, bending the earpiece closer to a 90-degree angle can tighten the fit. However, if the frame is too tight, it can be adjusted in the opposite direction. It is important to never attempt to bend or adjust the frame without first heating it up, as plastic is brittle and can snap. In some cases, a pair of glasses may be the wrong size and will need to be adjusted by a professional optometrist.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Materials that can be adjusted | Stainless steel, plastic/acetate temple arms with embedded stainless steel rods |
| Materials that resist adjustment | Titanium, memory titanium, memory plastic, aluminum alloy, TR |
| Common reasons for misalignment | Age, dropping, bumping, heat deformation, prolonged wear |
| Adjustment methods | Soaking arms in hot water, applying pressure to arms, bending frames, tightening screws, adjusting nose pads |
| Tools required | Eyeglasses repair kit, hot water, hair dryer, bowl, towel |
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What You'll Learn
Adjusting crooked frames with hot water
Adjusting crooked plastic frames with hot water is a simple process, but it should be noted that significant bends may require the help of a professional. If your frames are only slightly crooked, you can straighten them by following these steps:
Firstly, ensure your hands are clean so you don't risk damaging the frames. Then, run the crooked section of the frames under hot water, or soak the relevant arm in a bowl of hot water, for 20 to 60 seconds. This will heat up the plastic, making it easier to adjust. It's important to avoid getting the lenses wet, as this could damage them.
Once the frames are warm, carefully dry them with a towel and test their temperature with your fingers to ensure they're not too hot. Then, hold the glasses face-up with the lenses facing you, and wrap your hand around the centre of the frame to support them. Place your thumb on top of the heated corner, and your pointer finger below it.
From there, you can adjust the temple arm up or down. If the side you're adjusting sits too low on your face, gently bend the temple corner down by pushing downward with your thumb and anchoring with your pointer finger. If the left side of the frame is higher than the right, bend the left arm down at the hinge or where the arm bends behind your ear, and vice versa.
Make sure to only make small adjustments, as too much force can cause the frames to snap. You can keep trying on the glasses throughout the process to test the fit, but be aware that plastic frames can be brittle, so it's important to be gentle.
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Tightening frames with a screwdriver
Plastic eyeglass frames can be adjusted at home, but they may need to be taken to a professional optician if the problem persists. Some frame materials, such as titanium, memory plastic, and aluminum alloy, are designed to resist bending and manipulation, so they should not be adjusted at home.
If your plastic eyeglass frames need tightening, you can use a screwdriver to tighten the screws on each side of the temple corners. Here is a step-by-step guide:
- Purchase an eyeglass repair kit: Most eyeglass repair kits contain a small screwdriver designed for fixing glasses. If you don't have a kit, you can use any small screwdriver that fits the screw head.
- Check the screws: Over time, the screws on your eyeglass frames can become loose or fall out, causing your frames to feel wobbly or uncomfortable. Regularly check the screws to ensure they are tight and have not fallen out.
- Tighten the screws: Using your chosen screwdriver, carefully tighten the screws at the temple corners by turning the screws counterclockwise. Be gentle and avoid over-tightening, as this can damage the screws or the frame.
- Test the fit: After tightening the screws, try on your glasses to see if they feel more secure and comfortable.
- Repeat as needed: If the glasses still feel loose, you can continue tightening the screws gradually until you achieve the desired fit.
Remember to make minor adjustments and avoid exerting too much force on the screws or the frame. If the problem persists or if the frame is severely bent or crooked, it is best to consult a professional optician for further assistance.
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Bending the frame hinge
Step 1: Identify the Issue
First, identify which part of the frame needs adjustment. Common issues include frames sliding down the face, pinching the nose, or appearing crooked.
Step 2: Prepare the Frames
Before making any adjustments, it is recommended to clean the frames and loosen the screws at the temple corners, also known as the hinges, with a small screwdriver. Then, immerse the temple ends of the glasses in warm water for 30 to 60 seconds to make the plastic more pliable. Some sources suggest using hot water instead, but be cautious as excessive heat can damage the frames.
Step 3: Bend the Hinge
Stand in front of a mirror wearing your glasses. If the left lens is closer to your face, gently pull the left temple arm inward or push the right temple arm outward at the hinge. Conversely, if the right lens is closer, adjust the right temple arm inward or the left temple arm outward. Make sure to apply gentle pressure and avoid excessive force to prevent snapping the frames.
Step 4: Check the Alignment
Look down into the mirror to check the alignment of the frames. If necessary, repeat the adjustment process until you achieve the desired fit.
Step 5: Allow the Frames to Cool
After making the adjustments, allow the frames to cool completely before trying them on again.
It is important to note that bending plastic frames can be tricky, and there is a risk of breakage. If you are uncomfortable with the process or if the adjustments do not resolve the issue, consider seeking professional assistance from an optometrist or optician.
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Adjusting nose pads
Adjusting the nose pads of your eyeglasses can help you achieve a more comfortable and personalised fit. Before you begin, ensure your hands are clean so you don't risk damaging the frames.
First, firmly grasp the bridge of the frame. Hold your glasses so the temples are facing you and the lenses are facing away. Use the index finger and thumb of your opposite hand to clasp one of the nose pads. If your glasses feel too loose or sit too low on your face, gently bend the nose pad inwards, tilting its top portion away from the lens (towards your nose). If your glasses feel too tight or sit too high on your face, use the same method to bend the nose pad outwards, tilting its top portion towards the lens (away from your nose). Try to adjust the left and right sides evenly, then test the fit by trying on your glasses. You can readjust the pads until the glasses rest comfortably on your face.
If your glasses keep sliding down your nose, you can try using a gripping wax or silicone nose pads to stop the slippage. You can also apply downward, inward pressure to the ends of the arms to make them fit better behind your ear.
If your frames are plastic, you will need to apply heat to make them flexible enough to adjust. You can use a hairdryer or a bowl of hot water to warm them up slightly. This will make them bendable, and once they return to room temperature, they should hold their new shape. Avoid overheating plastic frames as you risk warping and damaging them.
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Tightening the fit behind the ear
If your plastic glasses are loose and slipping down your nose, you can tighten the fit behind the ear by adjusting the earpieces.
Firstly, check the frame material. If your glasses are made of memory plastic, titanium, or aluminum alloy, they are designed to resist manipulation, so you should take them to an optician for adjustment. If your frames are made of cellulose acetate, a type of plastic, you will need to heat the frames before attempting to bend them.
To heat the frames, run them under hot water for 15-25 seconds, or submerge the temple ends in warm water for 30-60 seconds. Alternatively, use a hairdryer to heat the frames. Once the frames are heated, hold the glasses face-up with the lenses facing you. Place your thumbs on the underside of the frame temple, with your index fingers resting on top of the bend. Gently push downward with your index fingers while pushing up with your thumbs to modify the bend behind your ear. Ensure you maintain the natural curve shape to avoid overcorrection.
If the right side of the frame sits higher than the left, bend the left arm down at the hinge or where the arm bends behind your ear. If the left side is higher than the right, bend the right arm down. You can also apply downward, inward pressure to the ends of the arms to tighten the overall fit.
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Frequently asked questions
You can straighten your plastic eyeglass frames by soaking the temple corners in hot water for 30 seconds. Then, hold the glasses face-up with the lenses facing you. Place your thumb on top and your pointer finger below the heated temple corner and adjust the temple up or down.
If your eyeglasses keep sliding down your face, you can adjust the fit by applying downward and inward pressure to the ends of the arms. This will give a tighter fit behind the ear and prevent slipping.
If your eyeglasses pinch your nose, you can adjust the nose pads by grasping them with your thumb and index finger and gently bending them outwards.
If your eyeglasses are too tight, you can adjust the fit by soaking the arms of your glasses in warm water for 30-60 seconds and then gently applying upward and outward pressure on the end of the arms to achieve a wider fit.
If your eyeglasses are extremely bent or crooked, you should not attempt to straighten them yourself. Instead, take them to a professional optometrist for adjustment.
