Eyeglasses sometimes require basic maintenance, just like other personal items such as watches or shoes. This maintenance might mean changing out a lens in a pair of eyeglasses. Changing a lens, possibly because of damage or an altered prescription, is fairly common. This upkeep is not impossible and can be accomplished with the right tools and a bit of patience, or with the help of optical professionals in the area.
Instructions
things you’ll need:
Lens
Eyeglasses
Eyeglass screwdriver
Eyeglass screws
Small container
Pan or microwavable container
Water
Stove, hotplate or microwave
Metal tongs
Soft cleaning cloth
Eyeglass cleaning solution
1 Choose whether you would like to attempt to change the lens yourself, or if you would like to take your eyeglasses to an optical shop. Helpful factors in making this decision include whether you have done this sort of maintenance before, if you have the appropriate tools, the type of glasses you have and if you want to take the time to accomplish the task.
2 Determine what type of eyeglasses you have. If you have metal eyeglass frames with screws, or plastic frames, you should be able to change the lens yourself. It would be smarter to take other types of glasses, such as rimless, to an optical shop as these frames require more specialized methods to change the lenses.
3 Gather the tools you need if you decide to change the lens yourself. Lay the tools out on a hard flat surface such as a counter, table or even on top of a large box. Make sure that if you are using screws to have a few replacements on hand, just in case.
4 For metal frames, use the eyeglass screwdriver to remove the screw on the side of the eyeglasses where you are changing the lens. Place the screw in a small container. Remove the lens. Position the replacement lens in the frame, using the other lens in the eyeglasses as a guide. Line up the groove in the lens with the frame. This might take some adjustment. Using the screwdriver, put the screw back into place. Tighten the screw until it is snug but not to the point of stripping the screw. The lens should be held firmly in place and not move.
5 For plastic frames, heat water in a pan or microwavable dish until it is boiling. Use metal tongs to dip your eyeglasses into the water for a few seconds up to a minute. Remove the eyeglasses. Firmly grasp the eyeglasses and slowly push on the lens from the front to the back. If the lens does not come out, repeat dipping the eyeglasses in water until the lens can be popped out. Position the replacement lens inside of the eyeglasses. Most lenses have a slight curve on the front, which you can use as a guide. Push firmly, but gently, in reverse of how you took out the old lens. You will know the lens is popped into place when it no longer moves and when it fits into the groove of the frame.
6 Clean the lenses with a soft cleaning cloth and lens cleaner solution. Changing the lens on a pair of frames inevitably means fingerprints on the lenses, so cleaning is necessary afterward.
7 Asking an optical shop to change the lens on your eyeglasses is a second option. You can use an optical shop you already frequent, or you can use your phone book or the Internet to find an optical shop. Make sure the shop is accredited by the Better Business Bureau. Reputable optical shops should be able to change a lens for free or for a small fee within a short period of time.
Tips & Warnings
Be sure to work in a well-lit area when changing a lens.
Keep children occupied with toys or educational TV, and pets in another room, while working with your eyeglasses.
Go slowly when unscrewing and screwing to avoid slippage and scratches and also to avoid losing a screw.
Always have great caution when using boiling water to avoid burning yourself.
Glasses Crafter cautions that you should not use anything that produces an open flame to heat plastic frames.