Eyeglasses are one of the few accessories that has a specific purpose beyond just looking good. Many of us need them to see, or at least to read small print, especially as we age. Yet they can be as much a fashion statement as they are a medical necessity. Why is it that in spite of their importance in our lives we know so little about them? For instance, could you point out the parts of eyeglasses frames and explain their function?
If you are like most people, including those who wear them, you can only name one or two parts. Why does it matter? Because knowing the different parts of eyeglasses frames can help you to fix them, or know whether they can be fixed, versus buying a new pair.
Symmetry, in Tortoise
What Are The Parts of Eyeglasses?
You should know that the overall glasses portion are the frames and the glass part you look through are the lenses, right? But there is a lot more to them than that. Let’s break down each of the parts of eyeglasses frames, piece by piece, and examine their function.
• Temples – These are the sides of the frames that help to keep your glasses in place. They hook behind the ears and some pairs have deeper hooks that cover more of the back of the ears to keep them in place.
• Temple Tips – Plastic coverings that are placed over the ends of the temples to protect the plastic or metal and keep the temples from rubbing against and aggravating the skin. Can come in various different materials. Some may be more pillowy and soft for those with especially sensitive skin and ears.
• Eye Wires – These are usually known as the rims of the glasses. They hold the lenses in place, after the optometrist fits them inside. They come in many different shapes and sizes and lenses can be customized in accordance to the frames they choose.
• Lenses – These are the plastic or glass pieces that allow the wearer to see more clearly. They can come with many different properties, such as reflective, transitions, bifocal and even in different colors.
• Bridge – This is the bar that connects the two eye wires to one another, between each lens. They can be longer or shorter depending on the placement of the lenses and the size between the wearer’s eyes.
• Top Bar – Not all glasses have a top bar and it is less common with modern designs than it used to be. There are two reasons to have a top bar. One is to add additional stability to the frames. The second is to allow for clip on frames, which can turn glasses into sunglasses without transitional lenses.
• Hinges – These are the hinges at the corners of the frames, connecting the temples. They allow the temples to swing inward, closing the glasses and allowing them to be more easily stored in a case or front pocket.
• Screws – These connect all the parts of the frames, including the hinges. One of the more common repairs needed is replacement or tightening of these screws, which can become loose.
• End Pieces – Portions at the edge of the frames, connecting various parts of eyeglasses frames at an angle.
• Pad Arms – Tiny platforms on the inside of each lense, holding the pads in place.
• Pads – Soft pads that sit on the pad arms and keep the eyeglasses in place on the nose, more comfortably.
What Are The Parts of Eyeglasses Frames You Can Fix Yourself?
This will depend on a few factors. One is what material it is made out of. The second is where on the frames your glasses have broken. For instance, repairing the temple might be as easy as fixing a new screw into place. But a snapped bridge could require professional assistance. Plastic can also be easier to repair than metal, as you can use super glue to settle it back into place.
Small repairs, like tightening them to fit better to the face, replacing missing pads and taking scratches out of the lenses can usually be done at home, or even with common household items (baking soda and toothpaste are both well known for removing scratches).
Now that you know the different parts of eyeglasses frames, you can figure out the best solution to any potential fix. Some repairs you can do on your own if you’re a careful and skilled DIYed, but some require the more professional eyewear repairsman. On the off chance that you aren’t able to salvage your favorite frames, we highly recommend grabbing a new pair on this page!
