This article has four guides on how to take the lenses out of your glasses. Depending on your glasses, you may need some tools to take out the lenses. For the frames, you can choose from the following:
- Wooden Frames
- Metal frames
- Nylon frames
- Rimless frames
Most people today have frames made of plastic. So then, let’s begin with them. Most of the time, this is the easiest way to get them out because you don’t need any tools. You need to know where on the lenses and the frame to press with your fingers. We put a short video about each case on this website, linked to this article. So you might want to watch it before you do anything else.
How to Pop the Lenses from Plastic Eyeglass Frames
Even if you do not apply heat to plastic frames, the lenses will often fall out even if they are not warmed. So first, I have a guide without heat since a temperature rise might irreversibly harm the covering of the lenses.
- Rotate the glasses so that the side towards your eyes is visible.
- Place both thumbs on the location shown in the image above.
- The remaining fingers are touching the other side of the frame.
- Now, apply finger pressure so that the lenses come out.
If this does not work, you may apply pressure to the top middle portion of the lenses. Numerous online resources propose warming your glasses with warm water or a hairdryer. However, as an optician, I often saw damaged coatings. Thus I only advocate this method if you no longer intend to wear your lenses.
The sole need regarding heat is to avoid being too hot. If the temperature is too high, the frame material or coatings might be damaged depending on the items in your hands. On the other hand, most plastic frames are manufactured from acetate; therefore, adding a little heat is OK.
How Do You Take Lenses Out Of Metal Frames?
Many of the metal frames need the use of a screwdriver to unlock the rim lock. Look at the little screw to see whether a slotted or cross screwdriver is necessary.
- Place the frame securely so that the screwdriver does not fall off.
- Place your thumb on the lens near the rim lock to secure it.
- Turn to the left to open it.
If you can’t locate any screws or the rim lock around the metal frame (usually on the side of the temples), you’ll have to take the lenses out. With the plastic frames, the method works as explained above.
Nylon frames: Loosen the nylon thread, and you can take the lenses out.
Most nylon have a small, clear nylon thread in the bottom of the glasses frames that hold the lenses in place. For this task, get ready a hard plastic strapping band. Here are the steps you need to take to get the lenses out of these glasses.
- Hold the lenses and pull the frame away from them lenses just a little bit.
- So, there is a small space between the lens and the frame.
- Fill the space between the lens and the frame with the plastic band.
- Pull the plastic bar down to where most of the nylon thread is on the lower part of the frame.
- You can now easily pull the nylon thread out by gently pulling it.
- So, you can take the lens out.
Rimless Frames
Numerous rimless frames use screws and nuts to secure the lenses. Especially the nuts are typically 1.2 or 1.4 millimeters in diameter. So be prepared with the proper equipment before attempting to remove lenses from glasses. Because if you lack skill, you are likely to slide and damage your glasses.
Using rimless frames that secure the lenses with nuts and screws, you will encounter the challenge of turning the screw while simultaneously ensuring the nut is from the other side. Before removing the lens, fix it with tape so that you do not immediately damage the surface if anything goes wrong.
If the lenses are attached to the frame using a plugin system, likely, you cannot remove the lenses. Because, in this instance, special equipment and plastic sleeves are necessary to reinstall the lenses.
Therefore, it is certainly not as simple as popping the lenses out or back in.
There is a great deal of variation in how lenses are placed in the frame. Here, we discussed the most prevalent types and how to remove the new lenses from the frame. See an optician if the solution for your eyewear was not provided here. He will be delighted to assist you.
