Eye doctors, such as optometrists and ophthalmologists, are medical professionals focused on eye health and vision prescriptions, not structural repair technicians for eyewear. Their primary role involves conducting comprehensive eye examinations and diagnosing conditions. While the optical department adjacent to an eye doctor’s office can handle minor issues, they are generally not equipped with the specialized tools or expertise needed for major structural frame repairs.
Services Available at the Doctor’s Office
The optical staff within an eye doctor’s practice offers several maintenance and minor adjustment services for spectacles. These services often address common issues that arise from regular use. A frequent service is tightening loose screws on the hinges or endpieces, which restores stability to the arms of the frame.
Staff are also able to replace small components like the silicone or plastic nose pads that rest on the bridge of the nose. Minor frame adjustments, such as gently bending a metal frame back into its correct alignment or using heat to reshape a plastic frame, are common procedures to improve fit. If a lens is scratched, cracked, or has popped out, the optician can assess the damage and facilitate the ordering of a new prescription lens from a specialized lab, as lenses are replaced, not repaired.
When You Need Specialized Repair Services
Major damage requires specialized repair services, including structural failures like a broken hinge mechanism, a frame snapped at the bridge, or a crack in a metal or plastic component. These complex repairs necessitate advanced techniques and tools typically only available at independent opticians, dedicated optical laboratories, or mail-in repair specialists.
For metal frames, technicians may employ micro-soldering or laser welding, especially for materials like titanium, to fuse the broken pieces back together. Plastic or acetate frames that are cleanly snapped can sometimes be repaired using specialized chemical fusion or heating techniques. These professionals are trained to restore the frame’s integrity and ensure the lenses remain correctly positioned for accurate vision correction.
What to Do Immediately After Your Glasses Break
If your glasses break, carefully assess the damage and collect all broken pieces immediately. If the break has sharp edges, handle the pieces cautiously to prevent injury to your hands or eyes. Check any documentation received at the time of purchase, as many glasses come with a warranty or protection plan that covers accidental breakage for a period of time.
For a temporary fix, you can use an eyeglass repair kit, which typically contains a small screwdriver and replacement screws. Clear adhesive tape can also secure a broken frame arm, or a small piece of wooden toothpick can be wedged into a stripped screw hole as a short-term solution. These temporary measures are only meant to provide vision until a professional can perform a safe and durable repair or replacement.