It is generally possible to reuse your existing eyeglass frames and replace the lenses. This practice, often referred to as reglazing, is a common service offered by opticians and specialized online retailers. Keeping a well-fitting frame saves money and maintains the comfort and style you are accustomed to. While the process is straightforward, success depends heavily on the condition of your frames and the complexity of your new lens requirements.
The Process of Re-Lensing Your Frames
The re-lensing process begins with an assessment of your current frame and most recent prescription. You must provide the optician with your frame and a valid prescription, including lens power and any astigmatism correction. Professionals inspect the frame for stability, checking for cracks, stress points, or loose components that might fail when the old lenses are removed.
Once the frame is approved, the technician must take specific measurements tailored to the new lenses and your face. For single-vision lenses, this includes an accurate Pupillary Distance (PD), which is the measurement between the centers of your pupils. If you are ordering bifocal or progressive lenses, the segment height must also be measured, determining the vertical placement of the reading zone within the lens.
The old lenses are carefully removed, and the new lens blanks are then cut and edged to precisely fit the interior groove of your existing frame. This cutting is often done using specialized computer-controlled equipment to ensure a perfect fit. Finally, the new lenses are inserted into the frame, and the finished eyewear is adjusted to ensure the optical centers align correctly with your eyes.
Factors That Determine Frame Suitability
The physical condition of your frames is the most significant factor in determining whether they can be successfully re-lensed. Frames made from older plastic or brittle materials, such as vintage acetate, can become hardened over time and are prone to cracking when pressure is applied to remove or insert new lenses. Opticians may decline to service frames with visible stress marks, damaged hinges, or stripped screws, as they cannot assume liability if the frame breaks during the process.
The design of the frame must also be compatible with your new prescription, particularly if you have a strong lens power or require complex progressive lenses. Frames that are very large or have a significant wrap curvature can introduce visual distortion, sometimes called the “fishbowl effect,” when fitted with high-power lenses. This distortion occurs because the optics were not designed for that frame geometry.
Progressive lenses have a minimum required vertical height to accommodate the distance, intermediate, and near viewing zones. If your existing frame is too shallow vertically, it may not physically allow for the lens to be properly segmented, resulting in a loss of the reading portion.
For high-minus prescriptions, which are thickest at the edge, a thin metal or rimless frame may be cosmetically unappealing or structurally inadequate to hold the lens securely. Conversely, high-plus prescriptions are thickest at the center, meaning a larger frame size will increase the overall lens thickness.
Evaluating the Cost and Time Savings
Re-lensing your existing frames is typically a more economical choice than purchasing a complete new pair of glasses. The cost savings come from eliminating the expense of a new frame, which can account for a substantial portion of the total price. Consumers often find that replacing only the lenses can be 30% to 70% cheaper than buying a full set of new eyewear.
The lenses themselves, especially those with high-index materials, premium coatings, or progressive designs, remain the main financial investment. While a basic lens replacement can be relatively inexpensive, adding features like anti-reflective coatings, photochromic technology, or blue light filters will increase the final price.
The turnaround time for re-lensing is often comparable to ordering new glasses, usually taking between five and ten business days. This duration depends on the complexity of the prescription and the lens laboratory’s location. This process may feel longer because you must surrender your current glasses, leaving you without them until the new lenses are fitted. Reusing frames is most financially sensible when the current frame is a high-quality, expensive, or discontinued model that you wish to preserve.