Broken Glasses?

When Accidents Happen Outside of Office Hours

Kids can be extremely hard on glasses. We aim to keep them in one piece so that the child’s vision can be corrected properly. When situations arise, and the glasses are crooked, or the lens pops out, what seems like an emergency can often be fixed in just a few minutes.

If you have any fit concerns with your child's glasses, such as being too tight or too loose, the frame being uneven, the lens popping out or the frame breaking, etc., we strongly recommend coming into Spokane Optical to see how we can fix the problem.

The Opticians and optical staff we have at Spokane Optical have been trained extensively regarding issues that arise from daily glasses wear and have the necessary tools. A lot of times, we can refit or fix the glasses on the same day. However, we do understand that it’s not always possible to come to our office, and we are not available at all hours. So, in these cases, we have some tips for at-home repairs. (If you are unsure of how to fix the glasses, or uncomfortable doing so, I would again recommend taking them to the optical shop nearest to you).

Home Repairs when Professional Help is Unavailable:

1. Do not use superglue! Superglue is great at what it does, but when applied to plastics, it can cause them to crack or discolor. Also, if the glue gets on the surface of a lens, it will be permanently stuck there. Superglue should always be a last possible resort. Instead, using clear packaging tape works great as a temporary fix to keep the lenses in place for a short period of time.
   
   
2. Do Not Bend Frames. If the frames are bent at a very sharp angle and you bend them right back, they are extremely likely to break. Bring them to your nearest optical shop, where they can be heated and bent slowly back into shape. Bending frames without the proper equipment can also void frame warranties! However, if you must bend the frame in a pinch, heat the frame up by running the frame under hot water for a few seconds before trying to adjust it. The less you handle the frame, the better.
   
   
3. Get An Eyeglass Repair Kit. These are great in a pinch and can solve a lot of minor issues. If you notice a lens is loose in a metal frame, check the tiny screw in the corner of the lens and tighten it carefully. These kits can also tighten the screws of the hinges if they feel loose. They usually come with a variety of screws which can help get the glasses back together, even if only temporarily. I recommend working on glasses on a flat even surface because it is extremely difficult to find the tiny screws if dropped. Eyeglass repair kits are available for purchase at a number of retailers and are usually readily available.
   
   
4. Use Twist-ties. These work great as a way to keep a lens in a frame for a temporary fix until you can get a new screw. Thread the twist-tie through both holes in the rim of the glasses, insert the lens, and then tighten until it is secure. You may need to thread the twist-tie through a few times to ensure it is secure. Twist ties can also be used in hinges as well. Paperclips also work well for larger eyelets. With a paperclip, just make sure you bend slowly and do not tighten it too much.

This information was written by Kody, one of our wonderful opticians here at Spokane Eye Clinic. Stop by our optical department, located at all three locations, for a free tune-up and cleaning of your glasses and to learn about your vision benefits!

To schedule an appointment, call (509) 456-0107