Can You Replace Lenses in Glasses?

Can you get new lenses in old frames?

You can replace the lenses in existing frames, but not all glasses qualify for replacement. If your frames are eligible, swapping out your lenses can be a great way to see more clearly without losing your favorite frames.

What to know upfront

Some frames and lenses may not be a good fit for replacement. Additionally, some retailers only offer replacement lenses for glasses that were bought or are currently for sale through their company.

There's also a chance your frames could break while the lenses are being removed or inserted. This is usually caused by tiny cracks that form in the frame material over time, but it can also happen when frames are in perfect condition.

If you recently bought the frames from the same company replacing the lenses, they may replace them for free if they break.

Opticians are technicians that work with your eye doctor's information to make sure your glasses fit well. They're trained to spot any weak points in your frames, which they'll talk to you about before you order any lens replacements.

Eyeglass lens replacement process

The process of replacing the lenses in your glasses varies from place to place.

Once you decide on a company or provider to do the replacement, you'll generally follow certain steps online, in person, over the phone, or a combination of the three:

1. Find out if your frames are eligible – The company or manufacturer will ask for information about your old eyeglass frames. This helps them decide if the frames are a good fit for new lenses.

2. Decide which lenses you want – You'll choose which features and materials you want in the replacement lenses for your eyeglasses.

3. Get a quote – The provider will use the information above to estimate the cost of replacing the lenses in your glasses.

4. Provide your valid glasses prescription – If yours is expired, you can schedule an eye exam to update your prescription. Some people may be eligible to renew their eye prescription online. However, the American Optometric Association warns that online eye tests shouldn't be used to replace an in-person eye exam with an eye doctor.

5. Sign a waiver – The waiver document (or portion of one) says that the company isn't responsible for damage that happens during the replacement process.

6. Pop your old lenses out – Some companies will ask you to remove the lenses before you hand over the frames. Others may give you the option to remove the lenses for you. Remember, this may damage or break some frames.

7. Give them your old frames – If you're ordering through an online retailer, you'll need to carefully pack up your existing frames and send them to the address provided.

Benefits of replacement lenses for glasses

Adding new lenses in old frames can help you see more clearly in the eyeglass style you're used to. For example, swapping out your lenses allows you to:

Update the lens prescription

Your glasses prescription is finely tuned to your vision at the time of your eye exam. But your eyesight can change over time, which is why eye prescriptions have an expiration date (often two years after the exam).

You might be surprised how well you can see when you replace the lenses in your old frames with ones that match your current prescription.

If your prescription is expired you can schedule an eye exam at a nearby eye doctor's office to update it.

Eye doctors in the U.S. are required by law to give you a copy of your eye prescription. That way, if you decide not to order new lenses through your doctor's practice or optical shop, you're free to have them replaced anywhere you want to.

Get rid of imperfections

Over time, scuffs, scrapes, chips, and other wear-and-tear can build up on your lens and affect the quality of your vision. This can be annoying for some and cause (or worsen) eye strain in others.

Replacement eyeglass lenses let you start over with a crystal-clear surface that's free from blemishes.

Add new features

Manufacturers use optional features to tailor lenses to your lifestyle. You can often customize your lens with options like:

• Anti-reflective coating – A glare-reducing coating that can improve eyesight comfort and clarity.

• Blue light filter – Lenses that filter blue-violet light emitted by the sun and many digital screens.

• Photochromic lenses – Lenses that automatically darken in sunlight and then lose their tint indoors or in lower light.

• Sunglasses lenses – Permanently darkened lenses that protect your eyes from sunlight and its UV rays.

• UV coating – Ultraviolet (UV) light protection is a natural part of many plastic lenses, but other lens types need a separate coating.

Replace standard lenses with multifocal lenses

Presbyopia makes it harder to read and focus up close as you age. Most people start to notice it sometime after they turn 40.

While reading glasses are one popular solution, many people choose multifocal lenses as an all-in-one solution. They include two or three different areas of focus on each lens, instead of just one.

If you have presbyopia, you might be looking to replace your single vision lenses with one of these multifocals:

• Bifocals – Includes two distinct focus areas: A large area for distant objects and a smaller mini-lens for near objects.

• Trifocals – Includes three distinct focus areas: A large area for distant objects and two mini-lenses for seeing at near and intermediate distances.

• Progressives – Includes the same three focus areas as trifocals but arranged in a different way, and without visible lines separating each area. This makes them look like standard single vision lenses to outside viewers.

Choose a new lens material

You may be able to use a new lens material if your old frames are compatible, such as:

• Standard glass

• Standard plastic

• Polycarbonate (thinner, more impact-resistant plastic lenses)

• Trivex (a newer alternative to polycarbonate)

• High-index (thin lenses for stronger prescriptions)

How much does it cost to replace lenses in glasses?

The cost of replacement glasses lenses depends on a lot of things, like which lenses you want, whether you add extra lens features, and other possible factors. For this reason, it's hard to find an accurate average cost of prescription lenses without frames.

Instead, the total price will probably fall within a range. For example, basic single-vision lenses may cost between $50 and $100 if they don't include any extras. Premium lenses with add-ons may cost several hundred dollars.

Vision insurance may cover part of the cost to replace your lenses if you haven't used your lens benefit yet. Check your coverage information or contact your insurance company for specific information about your plan.

How to replace lenses in glasses yourself

It may be possible to replace your own lenses at home, but it can be risky or even dangerous. There are a few things you should know:

• There may be a higher risk of breaking your frames if you pop the lenses out yourself.

• You could also damage any lens coatings or the lens material itself.

• You still need to order prescription lenses from a qualified manufacturer.

Opticians are trained to understand the condition of your frames and lenses, along with the materials they're made of. There's usually a lower risk of damage when an optician replaces your lenses for you.

Best places to buy replacement prescription lenses

Lens replacement services aren't always advertised upfront, so it can be hard to know what company will put new lenses in existing frames.

Here are a few of the popular retailers who can replace your prescription lenses (as long as your old frames are compatible):

• Target Optical (in-store)

• LensCrafters (in-store)

• FramesDirect (online)

• Readers.com (online)

A nearby eye doctor's office may offer lens replacements too, especially if they already sell glasses there.

If you're not sure about a particular store or retailer, check the frequently asked questions (FAQs) section on their website. If you still can't find an answer, an optician or other knowledgeable staff member will be able to help you via phone, email, or online contact form.

Page published on Friday, January 3, 2020

Page updated on Tuesday, November 12, 2024