how to fix loose glasses

How to Tighten My glasses

Medically reviewed by Sharon Copeland on 30 April 2021

If you wear glasses and have worn them for a while, you've likely experienced that over time, they can begin to slip off your face. Loose glasses can be highly annoying to keep pushing back up again. They can also end up looking crooked and not sitting well on your face, affecting your line of sight.

If your glasses are out of shape or loose, they can cause several side effects including:

The nose pads moving out of place
The screws on the glasses becoming too loose
The temple arms of your glasses moving out of place

How do I keep my glasses from sliding down my nose?

Making your glasses a tighter fit will prevent them from sliding down your nose. Cleaning your face and glasses to remove any dirt or sweat can also stop them from sliding down your face. Our Feel Good Cleaning Kit contains everything you need to clean your glasses effectively and can fit perfectly inside your pocket.

We highly advise that you visit an optician and ask them to adjust your prescription glasses for you. If you go to your regular optician, they will usually do this for free, or for a very small fee. If for any reason you cannot reach your optician, here is our short guide on how to adjust your glasses yourself.

How to adjust your glasses at home

In just a few simple steps, you can adjust your pair of glasses to stay functional, as well as ensuring they feel the most comfortable.

Deciding on what adjustments to make

Before you adjust your glasses, you need to decide what the problem is. Here are some various problems you may encounter:

1. The glasses are loose or sitting crooked

If the glasses are loose or sitting crooked, you'll need to adjust the arms. Here's how:

If the glasses are loose-simply heat up the plastic temple part of the frame and bend the arms towards each other around the area of the temple tips.

You can heat up the frame by using a hair dryer. Simply apply the heat for 20-30 seconds.

The glasses are loose or sitting crooked

The temple arms may become crooked and bent over time, often tilting to one side. Lay your eyeglasses upside down on a flat surface. Both of the temple arms should rest evenly without looking bent. If they do not, you will need to adjust them.

If the temple arms are crooked make note of whichever side sits higher and bend the opposite temple arm down at the hinge or where it bends behind your ear.

left lens is higher than the right lens

If the left lens is higher than the right lens, bend the right temple arm down.

left lens is higher than the right lens

If the right lens is higher than the left lens, bend the left temple arm down.

Top tip: We only recommend doing this with wire metal frames. Plastic frames with thick temple arms may need to be heated to adjust; we do not recommend trying this at home. You should seek the assistance of your optician.

2. Your glasses are too tight or are sliding down your face

If your glasses are too tight or are sliding down your face, you may need to run the temple tips under warm water for 30-60 seconds before bending them into place. You can also use a hairdryer for 20-30 seconds.

If your glasses are too tight

If your glasses are too tight- carefully bend the temple tips upwards to relax the curve.

If your glasses are too loose

If your glasses are too loose- bend the temple tips downwards to add curve.

Try them on again and check if the fitting is better. If not, repeat the same process until you are satisfied with the fit of your glasses.

Top tip: Whatever you do, avoid putting your lenses under hot water as this can damage them.

3. One lens is closer to the eye than the other

If your left lens is closer

If your left lens is closer to your eye than your right lens, either bend the left temple arm in or the right temple arm out.

If your right lens is closer

If your right lens is closer to your eye than your left lens, either bend the right temple arm in or the left temple arm out.

4. Your glasses are pinching your nose or are sitting too high/low

Nose pads or nose pieces are a common feature on glasses, they are designed for added comfort, but as they are adjustable, over time, can move out of place. If your nose pads are out of place, simply tilt them back into a position that sits most comfortably on your nose, they should slip back into position when you move them.

If your glasses are sitting too low

If your glasses are sitting too low - push the nose pads closer together using your thumb, until they fit comfortably on the sides of your nose.

If your glasses are pinching the nose

If your glasses are pinching the nose - push the nose pads away from your nose until they feel comfortable.

Top tip: Be aware that with metal frames, you should have a space between your nose and the bridge of the frame so that it doesn't dig in. There should be no space with plastic frames and if there is you may not be wearing glasses suitable for you.

Please note: Some frames can't be easily adjusted due to their material. Titanium, memory plastic and aluminium alloy frames, for example, are resistant to adjustment and will not bend easily.

How do you tighten screws on glasses?

On the inner section of the temples (where the eyeglass frames and arms meet) you will usually find incredibly small screws. Tighten the screws using a mini screwdriver. Eyeglass repair kits such as our Feel Good Handy Kit is perfect for tightening screws on your glasses.

If you find your glasses very quickly becoming loose again, you may need to replace the screws.

Make the adjustments minor

Avoid making large adjustments to your glasses at once. This could make the problem worse and more difficult to correct. As always, it is best to visit your opticians to have a full adjustment of your glasses.

Protect your glasses from the start

If you make sure to protect your glasses from the start, there is less likelihood of damage occurring. When your glasses are not in use, remember to keep them in the case they were sold with.

The hard body of the case will protect your glasses from getting crushed, becoming lose and changing shape. It will also protect them from scratching.

Also, remember to regularly clean your glasses with a micro cloth and cleaning spray to reduce the build-up of dirt and debris and ensure you have clear vision all day.

If you have any queries regarding frame adjustments or need any help, please don't hesitate to get in touch with our helpful optician team.

Quick links:

Glasses frame size guide
What is pupillary distance (PD)?
How to know if your glasses prescription is wrong