From prescription glasses and bifocals to sunglasses and blue light-blocking glasses, most of us have at least one type of eyewear at home. But glasses can be fragile and accidents can happen, so what do you do when something happens to them? While some fixes require more in-depth repair or even purchasing a new pair, minor things like loose screws and nosepieces can be repaired on your own with a good glasses repair kit.
Just how common is eyewear? According to The Vision Council, nearly everyone wears some kind of eyewear at some point. For a few points of reference, prescription eyeglasses are worn by 166.5 million American adults, 34.5 million Americans use over-the-counter reading glasses, and 223.5 million Americans wear nonprescription sunglasses.1
Another optional, yet increasingly common type of eyewear is blue light-blocking glasses. Between an increase in awareness of eye health and the harmful effects of blue light amid our ever-increasing amounts of screen time, there are more and more individuals choosing to wear blue light-blocking glasses while in front of screens. Think of all the time you spend on devices—between a smartphone, tablet, laptop, car navigation system, and television—it adds up to over seven hours a day on average, according to Credence Research.2 This is one factor of digital eye strain, which can lead to effects like headaches and blurred vision. Blue light glasses work to block out some of the blue light these devices emit, protecting eye health. No prescription is needed and you should be able to pick up a pair at just about any drugstore you visit.
With so many types of eyewear out there, it’s no wonder that most people have at least one kind, and many actually have more than one pair. The Vision Council’s report went on to share that 39.8% of Americans who wear glasses have two or more pairs they use regularly. Just over half of those who use non-prescription sunglasses also have at least two pairs on hand.1
And don’t forget that eyewear can be expensive. As of 2021, the $100-150 mark for a single pair of frames was what 36 million buyers reported spending.1
So between those who use prescription glasses, sunglasses, and blue light-blocking glasses, there are a lot of pieces of eyewear out there to be taken care of. With the majority of Americans wearing some kind of eyewear and a good portion of them owning multiple pieces, the costs can add up quickly—especially if you fall into several of the above categories—with two pairs of glasses, two pairs of sunglasses, and a pair of blue light-blocking glasses. That’s why it’s important to have a glasses repair kit on hand. Keep one both at home and on-the-go in case of a minor eyewear emergency for:
· Immediate attention. With your own kit, you don’t need to wait to see a professional repair person, especially for minor fixes like loose screws or nose pads. You’ll also eliminate the discomfort that comes with an incorrect fit or broken piece while you wait for the repair shop to fix them.
· Saving money. Buying a kit allows you to make fixes again and again—or on multiple pairs of eyewear—rather than paying someone else to do it for you.
· Preventing further issues. Regular maintenance, like tightening loose screws, can prevent bigger issues from happening later. Loose screws make it easier for lenses to fall out or frames to break.
A glasses repair kit should come with multiple extra screws, a screwdriver, a carrying case so you can keep it all organized, and a magnifying glass to help with visibility during the repair process.
Just like with taking care of your car or your health, proper maintenance helps catch things early and prevent bigger issues. It optimizes the use of the item as you’re using it—like dirty versus clean glasses lenses or wobbly frames because of loose screws—and also extends the life of the product by keeping it in top shape and decreasing the likelihood of wear and tear damage.
While the items in a typical glasses repair kit will help you with repairing eyewear, there are a few other things to keep in an emergency eyewear kit:
Lens cleaning wipes. It may be tempting to grab the corner of your t-shirt to wipe your glasses, but a t-shirt’s cotton fibers can actually do more damage than good by scratching the lenses. Lens cleaning wipes rid the lenses of smudges, dust, and lint, and they dry quickly.
Spray lens cleaner with microfiber lens cloth. Similar to not using a t-shirt to wipe your lenses, stay away from alternate cleaning options like household glass cleaners on glasses, as they contain ingredients that can damage lenses and lens treatments. It’s important to clean your glasses so you don’t get smudges and scratches that will affect your sight, but you also want to clean them so any dust and dirt that gets on them doesn’t transfer to your eyes.
It is always recommended to check your eyeglasses and ensure they are compatible with both the type of cleaner you are using, and the fiber being used to clean them.
Hot/cold eye mask. A cold mask can be used for redness, inflammation, and swelling or puffiness of the eyes. A hot compress can be used to relieve dry eye by unblocking glands, stimulating tear production, improving blood flow, and slowing tear evaporation.3
Eyelid wipes. These can remove not only makeup but also dirt and debris around your eyes and face.
Eye health is an important part of your overall health. While getting routine eye exams, eating healthy foods, staying active, and quitting smoking are all good for eye health, so is protecting your eyes with eyewear and making sure that eyewear is well taken care of. That’s why it’s important to keep a glasses repair kit on hand to help you take immediate action, save money, and eliminate any further problems related to glasses repair.
References
1. The Vision Council Organizational Overview. https://thevisioncouncil.org/sites/default/files/assets/media/TVC_OrgOverview_sheet_2021.pdf
2. Credence Research Blue Light Blocking Glasses Market By Type. https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/blue-light-blocking-glasses-market
3. Calgary Dry Eye Treatment Centre Hot Compress Eye Masks For Effective & Rapid Dry Eye Relief. https://www.calgarydryeye.com/eye-care-services/dry-eye-optometrist/hot-compresses-for-dry-eye/