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How to Tighten my Glasses
Medically reviewed by Khuram Sarwar on 12th December 2022
If you wear glasses and have worn them for a while, you’ve likely experienced that over time, they can begin to slip off your face. Loose glasses can be highly annoying to keep pushing back up again. They can also end up looking crooked and not sitting well on your face, affecting your line of sight.
If your glasses are out of shape or loose, they can cause several side effects including:
- The nose pads moving out of place
- The screws on the glasses becoming too loose
- The temple arms of your glasses moving out of place
How can I keep my glasses from sliding down my nose?
The following tips can help your glasses fit perfectly:
- Making your glasses a tighter fit will prevent them from sliding down your nose.
- Clean your face and glasses to remove any dirt or sweat. This can stop them from sliding down your face.
- Keep a cleaning kit handy. Use our Feel Good Cleaning Kit; it contains all cleaning essentials for your glasses, and it fits perfectly in your bag.
We highly advise that you visit an optician and ask them to adjust your prescription glasses for you. If you go to your regular optician, they will usually do this for free, or for a very small fee. If for any reason you cannot reach your optician, here is our short guide on how to adjust your glasses yourself.
How to adjust your glasses at home
In just a few simple steps, you can adjust your pair of crooked glasses/wonky glasses to stay functional, as well as ensuring they feel the most comfortable.
Deciding on what adjustments to make
Before you adjust your glasses, you need to decide what the problem is. Here are some of the various problems you may encounter:
1. The glasses are loose or sitting crooked
If you have crooked glasses or your glasses are loose, you’ll need to adjust the arms. Here’s how:
- If the glasses are loose - simply heat up the plastic temple part of the frame and bend the arms towards each other around the area of the temple tips.
- You can heat up the frame by using a hair dryer. Simply apply the heat for 20-30 seconds.
The temple arms may become crooked and bent over time, often tilting to one side. This is how you can fix this problem:
- Lay your eyeglasses upside down on a flat surface.
- Both of the temple arms should rest evenly without looking bent. If they do not, you will need to adjust them.
If the temple arms are crooked make note of whichever side sits higher and bend the opposite temple arm down at the hinge or where it bends behind your ear.
If the left lens is higher than the right lens, bend the right temple arm down.
If the right lens is higher than the left lens, bend the left temple arm down.
Top tip: We only recommend doing this with wire metal frames. Plastic frames with thick temple arms may need to be heated to adjust; we do not recommend trying this at home. You should seek the assistance of your optician.
2. Your glasses are too tight or are sliding down your face
If your glasses are too tight or are sliding down your face, you may:
- Need to run the temple tips under warm water for 30-60 seconds before bending them into place.
- You can also use a hairdryer for 20-30 seconds.
If your glasses are too tight- carefully bend the temple tips upwards to relax the curve.
If your glasses are too loose- bend the temple tips downwards to add curve.
Try them on again and check if the fitting is better. If not, repeat the same process until you are satisfied with the fit of your glasses.
Top tip: Whatever you do, avoid putting your lenses under hot water as this can damage them.
3. One lens is closer to the eye than the other
Please follow the diagram instruction to fix this issue:
If your left lens is closer to your eye than your right lens, either bend the left temple arm in or the right temple arm out.
If your right lens is closer to your eye than your left lens, either bend the right temple arm in or the left temple arm out.
4. Your glasses are pinching your nose or are sitting too high/low
Nose pads or nose pieces are a common feature on glasses, they are designed for added comfort, but as they are adjustable, over time, can move out of place. If your nose pads are out of place, simply tilt them back into a position that sits most comfortably on your nose, they should slip back into position when you move them.
If your glasses are pinching the nose - push the nose pads away from your nose until they feel comfortable.
If your glasses are sitting too low - push the nose pads closer together using your thumb, until they fit comfortably on the sides of your nose.
Top tip: Be aware that with metal frames, you should have a space between your nose and the bridge of the frame so that it doesn’t dig in. There should be no space with plastic frames and if there is you may not be wearing glasses suitable for you.
Please note: Some frames can’t be easily adjusted due to their material. Titanium, memory plastic and aluminium alloy frames, for example, are resistant to adjustment and will not bend easily.
How do you tighten screws on glasses?
On the inner section of the temples (where the eyeglass frames and arms meet) you will usually find incredibly small screws. Tighten the screws using a mini screwdriver. Eyeglass repair kits such as our Feel Good Handy Kit are perfect for tightening screws on your glasses.
If you find your glasses very quickly becoming loose again, you may need to replace the screws.
Make the adjustments minor
Avoid making large adjustments to your glasses at once. This could make the problem worse and more difficult to correct. As always, it is best to visit your opticians to have a full adjustment of your glasses.
Protect your glasses from the start
If you make sure to protect your glasses from the start, the likelihood of damage occurring is smaller. When your glasses are not in use, remember to keep them in the case they were sold with.
The hard body of the case will protect your glasses from getting crushed, becoming loose or changing shape. It will also protect them from scratching.
Also, remember to regularly clean your glasses with a micro cloth and cleaning spray to reduce the build-up of dirt and debris and ensure you have clear vision all day.
If you have any queries regarding frame adjustments or need any help, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our helpful optician team.
When to take your glasses to a professional
Some frames are made of materials such as aluminium alloy, memory plastic, and titanium, which makes it tricky to adjust the glasses on your own. In fact, types of frame style such as rimless or semi-rimless can also be difficult to adjust because of fragility. In such cases it’s better to visit a professional to get your glasses fixed.
Get glasses for up to 40% cheaper with Feel Good Contacts
You can buy your glasses for up to 40% cheaper online with Feel Good Contacts. Rather than having to go outside, why not order your glasses from the comfort of your home? Whether you’re after brands such as Ray-Ban, Superdry, Polo Ralph Lauren, Oakley, Tommy Hilfiger, or you’re simply after stunning styles and designs, be sure to find your suitable match of glasses with us. Order prescription or non-prescription glasses; you can complete your order without having to enter your prescription (you can share your prescription with us later via email or message). Remember to choose your glasses based on your face shape. If you’re unsure what glasses would suit you, look at our face-shape guide and make your decision easier.
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Quick links:
Glasses frame size guideWhat is pupillary distance (PD)?
How to know if your glasses prescription is wrong?