Using your sunglasses regularly are important for protecting your eyes from the sun. However, frequent use may also require removal of sunglass lenses to change them. But what is the right way to remove them?
Sunglass lenses can be removed using a few tools. For plastic lenses, you may be able to pop them outward with your thumb. If this doesn't work, soak them in warm water first. For metal or rimless frames, use the appropriate screws to get the lenses out.
Each step requires understanding a little more detail. Read on below to learn more.
Table of Contents
How To Remove the Lens From Sunglasses
Sunglass lenses can usually be removed easily from most pairs.
Whether they are acetate or metal lenses, a few tools and techniques will enable you to remove them yourself without spending for professional labor costs. This way you can change or repair the lenses as you need while saving money.
Keep in mind that there are many ways lenses are installed into the frames. Below are common solutions for getting lenses out of the frame, but if they don’t work, you may have to visit an optometrist.
Pop Out Plastic Frames
If your sunglasses are made with plastic frames, you may be successful in removing them without any tools. Simply put the glasses so that you are looking at the side that faces your eyes.
Put each of your thumbs in the middle of the lens. Give it a gentle push outwards, and this may work to pop the lenses out. If you find no success with this technique, you can try other alternatives below.
Soak in Warm Water
Soaking sunglasses in warm water will effectively loosen up the lenses. This is one of the most popular, tried-and-tested techniques for popping out lenses from acetate frames, though this solution will not work for metal frames.
What You’ll Need
Below are the tools you’ll need for soaking lenses in warm water. In case you don’t already have them, there is a list of recommendations from which are available on Amazon too (note: we earn a small commission should you decide to purchase any of them):
- Small bowl deep enough for soaking sunglasses
Process
Follow the steps below to use warm water for removing sunglass lenses:
- Fill a shallow bowl with warm water. Never use boiling hot water because this will damage the frames; check with your hands by testing if heat radiates from the water’s surface. If it does, it may be too hot.
- Soak the sunglasses in the water for a minute or two. The warmth will soften the plastic or acetate so that you can remove the lenses with ease.
- Use your hands to carefully exert pressure on the edges of the lenses from behind (the area facing your eyes). If you hear a crack, this will mean that the lenses were loosened up from the frame.
Using a Screwdriver
A small screwdriver will help you remove lenses from metal or rimless frames. Depending on the screws used, you may need a cross-head, flatvended, or jeweler’s screwdriver though these are usually found in an eyeglass repair kit. The nuts are usually 1.2 or 1.4 mm in size.
What You’ll Need
Be sure to look at the screw head before to help you choose the appropriate screwdriver.
- Small screwdriver which can be found in an eyeglass repair kit
- Mild cleansing soap for washing the frame screws; this will get rid of dirt and debris to make removal easier
Process
Once you have identified the screwdriver to use, you can proceed with these steps below:
- Place a dab-sized amount of liquid soap onto the screws of the sunglasses. Rub it in and add a splash of water until it bubbles to remove dirt and debris.
- Put the sunglasses under running water to wash off the soap.
- Use the screwdriver to unscrew the tiny screws on each side of the frame, as well as on the top of the earpieces that links to the frames if needed.
- Gently press the lenses outward to remove the lenses from the groove of the frame.
Note for Rimless Frames
Some rimless frames are made in such a way that its lenses cannot be removed. These sunglasses may be made using a plugin system, which require professional optometrist tools and techniques. If this is the case, you may have to take it to a professional.
Warning
Remember that removing sunglass lenses will void the warranty provided by most brands. This is usually the case unless you have a pair of snap-in sunglasses that are designed for easy removal and exchanging of lenses.
Be sure to check the warranty of your sunglass brand before moving forward with any of these procedures.
Conclusion
There’s no need to shell out a large sum of money to remove sunglass lenses. With these simple techniques, you may easily be able to remove lenses yourself in no time.