Glasses are an essential part of daily life for millions of people, but over time, lenses can become scratched, damaged, or outdated due to changes in your prescription. Instead of buying a completely new pair of glasses, reglazing service offers a cost-effective and eco-friendly solution. Understanding the process of reglazing glasses can help you maintain optimal vision and prolong the life of your favourite frames.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the common questions about reglazing, discussing everything from the process to costs, lens types, and durability, to help you make informed decisions about your eyewear.
What Is Glasses Reglazing?
Glasses reglazing is the process of replacing old or damaged glasses lenses with new ones while keeping the same frames. This is particularly useful for those who love their current frames or have an emotional or financial attachment to them. Reglazing allows you to upgrade your prescription lenses without the need to buy new frames, making it a cost-efficient option.
Overview of the Reglazing Process
The reglazing process typically involves removing the old lenses from your frames and fitting new vision lenses into them. Optical labs cut new lenses to match the specifications of your frames and prescription. Whether you need single vision lenses, bifocal, or progressive lenses, the lab ensures your new lenses are an exact fit. Once completed, your glasses are returned, looking and functioning like new.
Benefits of Reglazing Glasses Compared to Purchasing New Ones
Reglazing glasses offers numerous advantages:
- Cost savings: Reglazing is often much cheaper than purchasing a completely new pair of glasses, particularly for designer or high-quality frames.
- Environmental benefits: By reusing your frames, you’re reducing waste, making reglazing an eco-friendly option.
- Customization: Reglazing allows you to upgrade to new lens types like anti-glare or scratch-resistant lenses without the need for new frames.
- Sentimental value: If you love your frames or they have sentimental importance, reglazing gives you the chance to keep them.
Key Factors That Determine the Need for Reglazing
Some of the key factors that determine whether you should consider reglazing include:
- Prescription changes: If your vision has changed but your frames are still in good condition, reglazing can accommodate your new prescription.
- Scratched or damaged lenses: Reglazing can replace scratched, cracked, or damaged lenses.
- Lens upgrades: If you want to upgrade to better lenses, such as single vision, photochromic, or blue light-blocking lenses, reglazing is a convenient option.
Common Questions About Reglazing
What Is Reglazing and How Does It Differ from Replacing Lenses?
Reglazing is the process of replacing the lenses in your existing frames. This differs from simply replacing lenses because reglazing typically involves a full assessment of your frames to ensure they can support new lenses. You can reglaze both single vision lenses and multifocal lenses, ensuring you keep your frames but receive new lenses tailored to your updated vision needs.
Can Any Type of Lens Be Reglazed?
Yes, most types of lenses can be reglazed, including single vision, bifocal, varifocal, and progressive lenses. Additionally, glasses lenses designed for specific needs, like anti-glare or polarized lenses, can also be replaced through the reglazing process. However, some particularly old or damaged frames may not be suitable for reglazing, so it’s always best to consult a professional service to assess your frames’ compatibility.
How Long Does Reglazing Take?
The time it takes for a reglazing service can vary depending on the service provider and the complexity of your lenses. On average, the process takes about 5 to 7 business days. Factors that could affect the timeframe include the type of lenses being installed, any special coatings you’ve requested, or if the frames require adjustments. Reglazing services that are offered online can sometimes take longer, so it’s important to check the provider’s privacy overview for additional details on processing times.
Will Reglazing Fix All Types of Damage?
Reglazing is effective for replacing scratched, damaged, or outdated lenses, but it won’t repair damage to the frames themselves. If your frames are bent, cracked, or otherwise damaged, they may not be suitable for reglazing. Additionally, reglazing is not a fix for lens coatings (like anti-reflective coatings) that have peeled off or deteriorated—those coatings need to be applied to new lenses.
Are Reglazed Lenses as Durable as New Ones?
When performed by a reputable service, reglazed lenses are just as durable as new ones. You can request high-quality lenses with features like scratch resistance, UV protection, or blue light filtering to ensure the lenses are long-lasting. Some providers even offer a free pack with scratch-resistant coatings for added protection, ensuring that your reglazed lenses perform as well as new ones. As long as you properly care for your glasses, reglazed lenses can last just as long as lenses in brand-new frames.
How Much Does Reglazing Cost?
The cost of reglazing can vary depending on the type of lenses you need and whether you’re adding any special coatings. On average, reglazing services cost between £40 to £150, with more advanced options like varifocals or custom coatings on the higher end. Many reglazing providers also accept NHS vouchers, which can help reduce the cost. Compared to buying brand-new glasses, reglazing is a more budget-friendly option, especially for designer frames or frames purchased from a high street optician.
The Reglazing Process
Reglazing is a straightforward yet precise process that breathes new life into your old frames. Whether you need single vision lenses or a more complex prescription, the reglazing process can handle it. Here’s how it works:
Step-by-Step Process of Reglazing Glasses
- Assessing the Condition of the Current Lenses and Frames
The first step in the reglazing process is evaluating your existing glasses. This involves inspecting the glasses lenses for any damage beyond scratches, such as cracks, and checking the frame’s integrity. If the frames are in good condition, they are ready for new lenses. - Selecting the Appropriate Lenses and Coatings
After the initial assessment, it’s time to choose the new vision lenses. Depending on your prescription, you can opt for single vision, bifocal, or varifocal lenses. In addition, various coatings, such as anti-glare, UV protection, or scratch-resistant coatings, can be added to enhance the durability and functionality of the lenses. This is also when you might decide whether to choose high-quality glass or plastic lenses, depending on your needs and budget. - Removing the Old Lenses
Once the new lenses are selected, the old ones are carefully removed from the frame. This requires precision to ensure that the frame isn’t damaged in the process, especially if the frame is delicate or expensive. - Fitting the New Lenses
Finally, the new lenses are inserted into the frame. This step ensures that the new lenses fit perfectly and securely within the frame, allowing for optimal vision and comfort. Once complete, the reglazed glasses are thoroughly inspected to make sure they meet the highest standards of quality.
Common Myths and Misconceptions About Reglazing
Despite its benefits, many people still shy away from reglazing due to misconceptions. Let’s debunk some of the most common myths surrounding the reglazing of prescription lenses.
Myth 1: Reglazing Is Too Expensive
One of the most pervasive myths is that reglazing is almost as expensive as buying a new pair of glasses from the high street. In reality, reglazing is often significantly more affordable, especially if you have expensive frames that you want to keep. Since you’re only replacing the lenses, not the entire frame, the cost is much lower than buying new glasses. Furthermore, many services accept NHS vouchers, reducing the price even more for eligible customers.
Myth 2: Reglazed Lenses Are of Lower Quality
Some people believe that the lenses used in the reglazing process are inferior to those found in new glasses. However, this is not true. Reglazing services offer high-quality single vision lenses, bifocal lenses, and varifocal lenses that are just as durable and effective as those provided by opticians on the high street. In many cases, you can also request additional coatings or select higher-end lens materials like glass to further enhance the quality.
Myth 3: Reglazing Isn’t Reliable
Another misconception is that reglazing is a quick fix that won’t last as long as new glasses. However, this isn’t the case. When done by a professional service, reglazing ensures that your lenses fit perfectly into the frame, and the materials used are durable and high quality. As long as you care for your glasses properly, your reglazed lenses should last just as long as the lenses you would get with new glasses.
Myth 4: You Can’t Reglaze Glasses With Special Frames
It’s a common myth that only standard frames can be reglazed. However, many reglazing services specialize in reglazing unique or high-end frames, including designer brands. For example, Reglaze 4 U offers services specifically for Oakley and wrap-style frames, showing that even more specialised frames can benefit from reglazing.
Myth 5: You Don’t Get the Same Warranty or Service as Buying New Glasses
Some customers worry that using a reglazing service means sacrificing the support or warranty that comes with buying new glasses. Many reglazing companies, however, offer comprehensive warranties on their work. Always check the privacy overview and warranty details before choosing a service to ensure you’re getting the best protection and value for your money.
How to Choose the Right Reglazing Service
When choosing a reglazing service, it’s important to consider several factors:
- Cost: Look for a company that offers competitive pricing for their reglazing services. Many companies also provide discounts, like a free pack of lens cleaner or special offers for first-time customers.
- Lens Options: Make sure the service you choose offers a wide range of vision lenses, including single vision, bifocal, and varifocal options.
- Reputation: Look for online reviews or recommendations. A reputable company will have positive feedback from customers who were satisfied with their reglazed glasses.
- NHS Vouchers: If you’re eligible, choose a service that accept NHS vouchers, which can help significantly reduce the cost of reglazing.
- Warranty: Ensure the reglazing service provides a warranty on the lenses and any coatings, so you can be confident in the durability of your new lenses.
Conclusion
Reglazing your glasses is a cost-effective solution when you need new single vision lenses or updated prescriptions but want to keep your frames. With professional services and high-quality materials, reglazing allows you to maintain your favourite frames while restoring clear, scratch-free vision.
For a trusted service, consider Reglaze 4 U. Specialising in reglazing Oakley and wrap-style frames, they offer a wide range of lens options, including single vision, bifocal, varifocal, and even glass lenses for sunglasses. Their focus on quality and scratch-resistant lenses ensures your glasses will last longer. Plus, they accept NHS vouchers, making their service affordable and accessible.
Get in touch with Reglaze 4 U today to reglaze your glasses and restore your lenses to perfect clarity. Call them at 0116 367 6015 or email at info@reglaze4u.com for more information.
