Your $400 frames snapped at the hinge. Before you buy new ones, know this: most eyeglass repairs cost $10–$80 and take under an hour at a local optical shop. The repair vs. replace question is almost always worth asking — and the answer usually favors repair unless the frame is severely damaged or the lenses are outdated.
Here’s a complete breakdown of what common repairs cost and where to get them done.
Common Repair Costs by Type
| Repair Type | Typical Cost | Time to Complete |
|---|---|---|
| Nose pad replacement (plastic pads) | $0–$10 | 5 minutes |
| Nose pad replacement (adjustable push-on) | $10–$20 | 10 minutes |
| Temple (arm) adjustment / straightening | $0–$15 | On the spot |
| Screw replacement | $0–$10 | 5 minutes |
| Spring hinge repair (soldering) | $25–$65 | Same day or 1–3 days |
| Broken frame arm reattachment (solder) | $30–$75 | 1–3 days |
| Broken bridge repair | $35–$80 | 1–5 days |
| Broken frame front (two-piece repair) | $50–$150 | 3–7 days |
| Frame reshaping (heat adjustment) | $0–$20 | On the spot |
| Lens tightening / re-seating | $0–$15 | 5 minutes |
Where to Go for Repairs
Local optical shops are your best first stop. Many perform basic adjustments, screw replacements, and nose pad swaps at no charge — even on frames you didn’t buy from them. Soldering repairs requiring a lab visit will usually take a day or two and cost $30–$80.
The original retailer (LensCrafters, Visionworks, Warby Parker, etc.): Most chain optical retailers offer free adjustments. Warby Parker replaces missing or stripped screws for free at any location. Some offer free nose pad replacements too.
Mail-in repair services (FramesDirect Repair Lab, Optical Eyewear Repair, others): Good for specialty or designer frames that local shops can’t handle. Turn-around is typically 1–2 weeks; costs are $40–$100 depending on the repair.
Independent eyewear repair services: Increasingly available on platforms like Etsy and local classified sites. Quality varies — appropriate for minor adjustments, riskier for structural repairs.
Jewelers or silversmiths: Some are willing to solder metal eyeglass frames if no optical shop near you offers the service. Results depend on whether they’ve worked with eyewear before.
Skip the repair and buy new frames when: (1) the frame is more than 3–4 years old and your prescription has changed, (2) the same area has been repaired twice already and the metal is fatigued, (3) the repair cost exceeds 40% of new frame cost for a similar style, or (4) the frame is a discontinued or rare model where finding matching replacement parts is impossible. In those cases, budget $50–$300 for a new frame plus lens re-mounting if your lenses are current.
Does Vision Insurance Cover Repairs?
Generally, no. Most VSP, EyeMed, and Davis Vision plans cover a new frame allowance (typically $130–$200 every 12–24 months) and lens benefits — but don’t specifically cover repair labor costs. Some plans include a frame damage benefit or warranty credit, so check your specific plan details.
What insurance doesn’t cover, FSA/HSA funds may: eyeglass repairs are qualifying medical expenses under IRS rules. If you have flex funds available, use them.
Manufacturer and Retailer Warranties
The AOA notes that the average American owns 1.6 pairs of eyeglasses. Given that, glasses are one of the most-worn items people own — and frames do break. Warranty coverage matters.
- Warby Parker: 12-month scratch warranty on lenses; frames covered against manufacturing defects. Accidental damage is not covered but the brand is known for accommodating customer service.
- LensCrafters: Offers an accidental damage plan (EyeCare Club) that covers one replacement pair per year for damage including broken frames — typically $20–$30/month.
- Luxottica and Essilor brands (Ray-Ban, Oakley, Persol): Ray-Ban offers a 2-year warranty against manufacturing defects. Accidental damage is excluded.
- Independent/designer frames: Warranty terms vary widely; many designer frames carry 1–2 year manufacturer defect warranties. Ask at point of purchase.
DIY Repair Kits: Do They Work?
Eyeglass repair kits available at drugstores ($5–$15) typically include small screwdrivers, assorted screws, and sometimes adhesive. For screw replacement, they work fine. For anything structural — hinge reattachment, frame cracks — DIY adhesives are a temporary fix at best. Super glue on a broken hinge will hold for days, not months, and can make professional repair harder if the adhesive contaminates the joint.
Don’t use super glue near your lenses. Cyanoacrylate (super glue) fumes etch and cloud polycarbonate and high-index lens materials permanently. If you’re doing any frame repair involving adhesive, remove the lenses first or protect them completely. Clouded lenses can’t be restored — you’d be looking at lens replacement costs ($100–$400+) on top of whatever you were trying to avoid paying for.
Lens Re-Mounting After Frame Replacement
If you get a new frame to replace a destroyed one, your current lenses can often be re-mounted — saving the cost of new prescription lenses. Lab-cutting a lens to a new frame shape runs $15–$50 per pair at most optical shops. Whether this is feasible depends on lens shape compatibility and whether your lenses are large enough for the new frame’s lens opening.
Bottom line: most frame repairs are worth attempting before replacement. A $40 repair extends the life of $400 frames and takes less than a week.