You sure can, but the ease of doing so depends on the type of adjustment and frame material. Our optical experts will take you through adjustments that you safely try at home.
These glasses adjustment methods are safe to try on your own with little risk.
Your glasses are fragile, so be sure to use caution any time you’re making an adjustment.
Nose Pads:
The Problem: Your glasses are sitting too high.
The Fix: Hold your glasses with your non-dominant hand and use your thumb on your dominant hand to gently push out on the plastic nose pad. Do this to both sides until they sit comfortably on your nose.
The Problem: Your glasses are sitting too low.
The Fix: Hold your glasses with your non-dominant hand and use your thumb on your dominant hand to gently push in on the pad arm (behind the nose pad). Do this to both sides until they sit on your face comfortably.
TIP: With metal frames, you should have a space between your nose and the bridge of your frame (so that the bridge doesn’t dig into your nose — ouch!). Try the fixes above to adjust how high or low your glasses are sitting. With plastic frames, you shouldn’t have a space between your nose and the bridge. If you do, you might not be wearing the best glasses for your needs.
These adjustments are rated as medium difficulty. You can try them at home, but you’ll need to be extra cautious.
Earpieces (Metal+Plastic):
The Problem: Your glasses are sliding down your face.
The Fix: Run the earpieces under really warm water (not boiling, but as hot as you can get it from the faucet) for a few minutes. Gently bend the earpieces slightly downwards to add curve.
The Problem: Your glasses are too tight on the backs of your ears.
The Fix: Run the earpieces under really warm water (not boiling, but as hot as you can get it from the faucet) for a few minutes. Gently bend the earpieces upwards to relax the curve.
TIP: Don’t put your lenses under the hot water — you could ruin them. Also, be extra careful to avoid burning your hands!
Temples (Metal):
The Problem: Your glasses are too wide on your temples.
The Fix: Secure the lens with your non-dominant hand and softly push in on the end piece with your dominant hand. Do this to both sides to tighten the fit of your glasses on your head.
The Problem: Your glasses are squeezing your temples.
The Fix: Secure the lens with your non-dominant hand and softly pull out on the end piece with your dominant hand. Do this to both sides to loosen the fit of your glasses on your head.
TIP: Plastic, as well as rimless and semi-rimless frames (even if they are metal), can snap when loosening and tightening the fit. See an optician if you have plastic and/or rimless or semi-rimless frames and need the temples adjusted.
CAUTION: You’ll be better off leaving these adjustments to an optician. Trying these at home without the proper tools and skills can damage your glasses.
Retroscopic and Panoscopic Tilt:
The Problem:Your distance vision isn’t quite right. You might be able to find a focal point but not for long.
The Fix:Your lenses likely need to be moved further away from your eyes to adjust your focal point. See an optician to add retroscopic tilt to your lenses.
The Problem:You’re having trouble reading up close.
The Fix:Your lenses likely need to be moved closer to your eyes. See an optician to add panoscopic tilt to your lenses.
Plastic Temples:
The Problem: Your glasses are either too tight or too wide on your temples.
The Fix: With plastic frames, you should see an optician to make this adjustment.
About Dr. Holly Vaught, OD
Dr. Holly J. Vaught, is the eye doctor at Vaught Family Eye Care in Franklin, Indiana, where she provides comprehensive services for patients of all ages. In 2009, she graduated with honors from Indiana University School of Optometry. Her training includes the areas of diagnosis and treatment of common ocular diseases, primary care, contact lenses, and pre- and post-op care for refractive and cataract surgeries. Dr. Vaught is a member in good standing of the American Optometric Association, the Indiana Optometric Association, and Women of Vision.
Disclaimer: Readers.com® is not liable for damage that occurs while adjusting your glasses or readers at home.
