How to pop lenses out of glasses with different styles of frames?

Are you looking to replace your eyeglass lenses or simply remove them from the frames for fashion? Popping lenses out of frames can be tricky if you’re not sure how to do it correctly. You certainly don’t want to damage the frames or lenses or hurt yourself in the process.

In this blog post, we’ll show you how to remove lenses from glasses based on the type and material of your frames. We’ll also provide tips for doing it safely and easily, as well as some replacement steps that may be helpful to you. Let’s get started!

How to remove lenses from plastic frame glasses?

Essential Tools and Materials for Safely and Easily Removing Eyeglass Lenses

Before you begin, ensure you have the following tools and materials on hand:

Locate the Screws Holding the Frames Around the Lenses

The screws that hold the frames around the lenses are usually found at the corners or sides of the frames, connecting the right lens to the temples or arms of the glasses’ left lens. You can use a magnifying glass or a flashlight to help you locate them.

Once you find the screws, use a small screwdriver to slightly loosen them. Loosen them enough to push the lenses out from the inside of the nose bridge. The inside of the front bridge of the glasses is the side that faces your eyes, not the side that faces outward.

Gently Push the Lens Out from the Inside of the Glasses

Using your thumb, gently push the lens out from the lens surface onto the inside of the glasses using your fingers, a soft cloth, or a very soft towel. Be gentle and careful not to scratch or crack the lenses or the frames.

If the lenses are stuck in a broken frame, use a hairdryer to gently heat the frames. This will make them more flexible and easier to pop out. However, be careful not to overheat or melt the lenses. Use a low setting and move the hairdryer around quickly. If your frames are metal, do not use a hairdryer. Instead, soak them in hot water for a few minutes to loosen them up.

Heat the Plastic Frames

Fill a bowl with warm water and submerge your glasses in it for a few seconds. The heat will make the plastic frames more pliable, allowing you to easily pop out the lenses. Remove them from the water and wipe them dry with a soft cloth or towel. This method works best for full-frame glasses that don’t have screws holding the lenses in place.

How to Remove Lenses from Metal Frame Glasses

Removing lenses from metal frame glasses can be challenging because they are rigid and durable.

You can use pliers and a rubber band to accomplish this. Wrap a rubber band around one end of the pliers, then gently pull, squeeze, and twist the metal frame around the lenses until they loosen up and pop out.

Another option is to use a screwdriver and a cloth or towel. Wrap a cloth or towel around one end of the screwdriver, then carefully insert the screwdriver between the lens’s rim and the frame’s rim. Gently pry them apart until they pop out.

Note: Be careful not to apply too much force or pressure on single vision lenses when using these methods, as you might damage the frames or the lenses.

How to remove lenses from full-frame glasses

Depending on the type of full-frame glasses, you may need different methods to remove the lenses. If your full-frame glasses have no screws, you can use one of these methods to pop out the lenses:	1. Fill a bowl with hot water and soak your glasses for 1 minute. Then, dry them with a microfiber cloth and push the lenses out from the concave side with your thumb or a cloth. 2. Use a low setting and quickly move the hair dryer around to heat your frames. Then, dry them with a microfiber cloth and push the lenses out from the concave side with your thumb or a cloth.
For full-frame glasses that have screws on the bottom rim, the nose bridge, or the arm hinges, you can:	1. Use a pair of pliers and a rubber band or a screwdriver and a cloth or towel for popping out metal frames. 2. Wrap a cloth or towel around one end of the screwdriver to protect your lenses. Then, insert the screwdriver between the lens and the frame and gently pry them apart until they pop out.

How to replace old lenses

If you need to replace your old lenses, follow these steps:

1. Measure your old lenses and find a new pair that matches their size and shape. You can use a ruler or a caliper to do this. You can also take your old lenses to an optical shop and ask them to help you find suitable replacements.
2. Clean your new lenses and frames with a soft cloth or towel and some lens cleaner or alcohol. This will remove any dust, dirt, or fingerprints that might affect the clarity or fit of your lenses.
3. Insert your new lenses into your old frames, making sure they fit snugly and securely.
4. Tighten the small screws that hold the frames around the lenses with a small screwdriver. Don’t over-tighten them, as they might strip or break the frames.
5. Check your vision and comfort with your new lenses. If you notice any blurriness, distortion, or discomfort, have a professional adjust or replace your lenses.

How to put the lens back into the frame

If you want to put a lens back into a frame, you can use one of these methods:

1. Use your fingers, a cloth, or a towel to gently push the lens back into the frame from inside the glasses.
2. Use a hair dryer to heat the plastic frame and make it more flexible. Then, use your fingers or a cloth or towel to gently push the lens back into the frame from the inside of the glasses.
3. Use a pair of pliers and a rubber band to squeeze and twist the metal frame around the lens until it fits back into place.
4. Use a screwdriver and a cloth or towel to pry open the frame, insert the lens, and secure it.

From Seebelieve: Key takeaways

Removing lenses from glasses can be easy if you know how to do it properly.

For plastic frames, loosen the screws holding the frames around the lenses and gently push them out from the inside of the glasses.

For metal frames, use pliers and a rubber band or a screwdriver and a cloth or towel to pop the lenses out.

For full-frame glasses, use different methods depending on the presence of screws and the type of frame.

You can also replace your old lenses using these steps:

1. Measure your old lenses and find new ones that match their size and shape.
2. Clean your new lenses and your frames.
3. Insert your new lenses into the frames.
4. Tighten the screws holding the frames around the lenses.
5. Check your vision and comfort with your new lenses.

With these easy steps, you can safely and easily remove and replace the lenses in your glasses frames.