Having crooked glasses is a common nuisance that affects comfort and can strain your eyes by misaligning prescription lenses. This misalignment frequently results from daily handling, accidental drops, or natural wear and tear that warps frame materials. Most instances of crookedness are minor adjustments that can be quickly diagnosed and corrected with simple tools and careful technique.
Pinpointing the Source of Misalignment
The first step in fixing crooked glasses is determining the exact location of the bend. A common diagnostic method involves placing the glasses upside down on a flat, level surface. If the temples (arms) do not rest evenly, the problem lies in the arms or the hinges connecting them to the frame front. If one arm is lifted, the opposite temple arm is likely bent downward, or the hinge on the lifted side is misaligned.
Uneven temple arms are a frequent cause of crookedness, making one side of the frame sit higher or lower on your face. This tilt is visible when looking in a mirror. Crookedness may also stem from minor facial asymmetries, such as one ear being slightly higher than the other.
Nose pads, particularly on metal frames, are another source of misalignment if they are not symmetrically positioned. If the pads are too close or too far apart, the glasses may slide down the nose or sit too high. Loose hinges or screws can also introduce tilt, preventing the temple arm from holding its proper angle.
Safe DIY Adjustments for Common Issues
Many minor alignment issues can be safely addressed at home, but the method depends on whether your frames are metal or plastic.
Adjusting Metal Frames
For metal frames, the adjustable nose pads offer an easy way to correct vertical tilt or slippage. If the glasses sit too high or pinch, gently push the nose pads slightly further apart. Conversely, if they slide down, carefully squeeze the pads closer together using your fingers or small, padded pliers.
Adjusting the temple arms requires gentle, focused pressure to correct height differences. If the right side of the frame is sitting too high, you must bend the left arm’s end piece slightly downward, or vice-versa. Use the hinge or the curve behind the ear as the adjustment point. Metal frames are generally more pliable and do not require heat, but you must make the adjustments incrementally and check the fit often to avoid over-bending.
Adjusting Plastic Frames
Plastic or acetate frames require a different approach because the material is less flexible when cool. To avoid snapping the plastic, you must apply gentle heat to the area you intend to adjust, such as by running the arm under warm (not boiling) water for about 30 seconds. Alternatively, use a hairdryer on a low setting, holding it about six inches away from the frame.
Once the plastic is warm and pliable, gently bend the temple arm in the necessary direction to level the frame. After making the adjustment, immediately run the frame under cool water to set the plastic in its new position. A common issue across all frame types is a loose hinge screw, which causes the frame to feel unstable or crooked. This can be fixed by carefully tightening the tiny screw at the hinge using a specialized micro-screwdriver.
Knowing When to Consult a Professional
While minor adjustments are possible at home, some situations require the expertise and specialized tools of an optician. Complex damage, such as a broken hinge, a deeply warped frame front, or a snapped plastic piece, should not be attempted as a DIY repair. Aggressive attempts to fix severe bends can easily cause irreparable damage.
Frames made from specialized materials like titanium, aluminum alloy, or high-index plastics are often rigid or brittle, making them particularly risky for home adjustments. These materials may not respond well to simple heat application or manual pressure and can break unexpectedly. Professionals have access to specific frame heaters and precision pliers designed to manipulate these materials safely.
Sometimes, apparent crookedness is not a frame defect but an accommodation for natural facial asymmetry, such as a difference in ear height. An optician may need to intentionally adjust the frame to sit unevenly on a table so that it appears straight when worn. Seeking professional help ensures that the optical center of the lenses remains correctly positioned for your prescription, preventing eye strain and headaches.