The 5 Most Common Glasses Problems (and How We Fix Them)
If your glasses aren’t sitting right or have snapped, you’re not alone. At Optics Workshop Perth, we see the same repair issues come through our doors every week, and most are fixable! Here are the five most common glasses problems and how we professionally repair them.
1. Broken or Snapped Hinges
A broken hinge is one of the most common reasons people think their glasses are beyond repair.
Hinges can fail due to:
Everyday wear and tear
Accidental bending
Metal fatigue
Impact damage
Depending on the frame type, we may repair, replace, weld or rebuild the hinge to restore proper function and alignment.
Hinge repairs are one of the most common services we perform.
2. Cracked or Snapped Frames
Acetate and metal frames can crack or break for many reasons, including impact, stress, or age-related material fatigue.
Repair options vary depending on the material:
Acetate frames can often be repaired using specialised bonding techniques.
Metal frames may be repaired through precision soldering or welding.
Titanium frames may require specialist welding techniques.
Many frames that appear beyond repair can often be restored successfully.
Many cracked frames can be professionally repaired rather than replaced.
3. Broken Metal Frames and Welding Repairs
Metal frames can crack or break at stress points such as hinges, bridges and temples. Many customers assume these frames are beyond repair, but professional welding can often restore strength and functionality.
At Optics Workshop, we perform precision welding on a variety of metal frame materials, helping extend the life of quality eyewear that would otherwise be discarded.
Common welding repairs include:
Broken hinges
Snapped temples
Broken bridges
Detached frame components
Titanium frame repairs
While not every frame can be welded successfully, many repairs that appear impossible can often be restored.
Broken metal glasses frame before repair. Specialist eyewear repair techniques can often restore damaged metal frames and avoid costly replacement.
4. Worn or Lost Nose Pads
If your glasses constantly slide down your nose, feel uncomfortable, or leave pressure marks, worn nose pads may be contributing to the problem.
We can:
Replace worn nose pads
Adjust existing pad arms
Install adjustable nose pad arms on suitable acetate frames
Improve overall fit and comfort
A small adjustment can make a significant difference to how your glasses feel.
Adjustable nose pad arms can improve comfort and stability on many acetate frames.
5. Scratched or Dull Frame Finish
Over time, acetate frames can lose their original shine due to everyday wear, UV exposure and surface scratching.
Professional frame refurbishment may include:
Polishing
Surface restoration
Acetate rehydration
General cosmetic improvements
This can dramatically improve the appearance of quality eyewear.
Before and after professional acetate frame refurbishment.
Is It Better to Repair or Replace Glasses?
In many cases, repairing your existing glasses is more cost-effective than replacing them, particularly if you own designer frames, vintage eyewear or frames that fit exceptionally well.
Professional repairs can:
Extend frame life
Improve comfort
Restore appearance
Reduce waste
Save money
Frequently Asked Questions
Can broken glasses be repaired?
Many broken hinges, screws, nose pads and cracked frames can be repaired professionally.
Is it worth repairing designer frames?
Often yes. Premium frames are frequently worth restoring, particularly if replacement is expensive or the model is no longer available.
Need Your Glasses Repaired?
If your glasses are broken, uncomfortable, scratched or simply looking tired, we can help.
At Optics Workshop, we specialise in eyewear repairs, frame refurbishment and lens replacement for customers across Perth and Australia.