How to Adjust Your Glasses

Stand in front of a mirror and look straight ahead. Adjust your glasses so that the center of each lens aligns with the center of your eyes. This is the optical center and the ideal position for your glasses. All adjustments aim to achieve this optimal alignment.

• If your lenses have bifocals, this line should align with your lower eyelid. For trifocals, the line should sit just below the bottom of your pupil.

Identify issues with the temple arms. If your glasses appear warped or tilted to one side, the problem might lie with the temple arms. To check, place your glasses on a flat surface. Both temple arms should rest evenly. If they don’t, adjustments are needed.

• If the glasses seem balanced on your face but uneven on a flat surface, it indicates one ear is higher than the other. Bend the temple arms to compensate for this asymmetry.

Spot problems with the nose pads. Check the height of the glasses when worn. If the lenses sit too high or too low, the issue might be with the nose pads, and they’ll need adjustment.

Assess the fit of your glasses. Even if the glasses are centered and at the right height, they might feel too tight or too loose. Adjust the tightness by bending the temple arms outward or inward, depending on your needs. The ideal spot for this adjustment is at the hinge. Bending the arms outward reduces pressure on your temples, while bending them inward ensures a snugger fit.

Check for slipping glasses. Sometimes, even when everything seems to fit, your glasses may still slide down. In such cases, simply tighten the screws connecting the temple arms to the frame.

Adjust the balance of the temple arms. The temple arms extend over your ears and help secure the entire frame. Once you identify which part needs adjustment, consider the type of glasses you have, as fixing issues with plastic frames differs from metal frames.

• For metal frames, use small pliers to straighten the temple arms. Put the glasses on and check in the mirror to ensure they are properly adjusted.
  • Avoid using cutting pliers. Use flat-nose pliers to prevent damaging the glasses.
• For plastic frames, heat the plastic at the end of the temple arms using a heat source, like a hairdryer, to make them pliable. Gently bend the temple arms to the desired position. Be cautious when using a hairdryer, as excessive heat can melt the plastic.
• Another method to adjust plastic frames is to heat them under hot running water for 15-25 seconds before bending. The temple arms will become more flexible, but be careful! The plastic can still break even when heated.

Adjust the temple tips. Check the curvature of the temple tips. If the glasses press too tightly against your ears or head, bend the temple tips outward. If the glasses are too loose and keep sliding down your nose, bend the temple tips inward for a snugger fit. Again, the method depends on your frame type.

• For metal frames, use pliers or your hands to adjust.
• For plastic frames, heat the plastic under hot water or with a hairdryer before bending the temple tips.

Tighten the screws on the temple arms. Tightening the screws can prevent the glasses from slipping and keep the lenses securely in place. Use a very small screwdriver, often included in eyeglass repair kits.

• Be careful not to overtighten the screws, as this can damage the plastic or metal parts.

Adjust the nose pads. If the glasses sit too high, move the nose pads outward. If they sit too low, squeeze the nose pads closer together. Ensure both nose pads are adjusted evenly to maintain balance.

Make small, incremental adjustments. When adjusting your glasses, avoid making drastic changes. Restoring the glasses to their original position after over-adjusting is harder than the initial adjustment. Make tiny changes, test the fit, and continue adjusting until you achieve the desired result.

Avoid breaking your glasses. When adjusting plastic frames, always use the minimum force necessary. Applying too much pressure to heated plastic can cause the frame to snap, resulting in permanent damage.

Proceed with caution. When using pliers to adjust your frames, wrap the tips with tape. The tape prevents scratches on the frame. Scratches are irreversible, and even if the glasses are fixed, they’ll look unsightly.

Understand your frame material. Some glasses are made from materials that cannot be adjusted. Frames made of titanium, shape-memory plastic, or aluminum alloys are designed to resist bending or any form of adjustment.

Know when to give up. While minor adjustments can improve the fit, there comes a time when you need to buy new glasses. If repeated adjustments to the frame, nose pads, or temple tips don’t work, it’s time to invest in a new pair. After years of use, some glasses are beyond repair.

• Additionally, ensure you get your eyes checked annually to confirm your lenses still match your vision needs.