How to Replace Nose Pads on Glasses

When eyeglasses were first created, the nose took a lot of attention while making the final product. Research says that since the nose bridge separates the eyes, the glasses’ lenses have to be joined together. They were referred to as rivet spectacles. The mastermind behind the invention of glasses was Salvino D'Armati in Italy sometime around 1285 to 1289.

In 1784, Benjamin Franklin first invented the side or temple pieces that rest on the ear and bifocals on the glass. By the 1800s, eyewear manufacturing started on a larger scale with a few styles. Different designs of glasses began to be created, considering factors like comfort, practicality and the hold of glass on the nose bridge. This was where nose pads became part of the standard design of eyeglasses.

Nose pads are essential for a comfortable and optimal fit while wearing eyeglasses. They allow your glasses to have support and stay in the right place, all while reducing the pressure of the frame on the nose for a more comfortable fit. Without snap on old nose pads on your glasses, the metal frames can scratch your skin, and your glasses wouldn't be able to stay in place.

When you eventually want to replacing nose pads, you have to be careful not to stain your lenses. So, clean your glasses regularly. Do you know the specific ways to do so? It's important to know the do's and don'ts of prescription glasses.

Your nose pads need to be replaced after a certain time. If you started to notice some grime and dirt accumulating on your nose pads, you’ll know it’s time. Another indication for replacement is when your new nose pads become too loose or turn too yellow.

What do you think a small repair can do? A longer lifespan! Nose pads are very simple and easy to replace. They won’t cost you anything close to a new pair of glasses. They’re available at a very reasonable price in local optical shops, even online too!

Can you remove nose pads for glasses? Before going into the juicy steps on how to replace the nose pads on your glasses, we need to go over some crucial factors that you need to keep in mind. There are four main things you need to remember when you're looking to replace your nose pads. You need to choose the right type, shape, size and material of the nose pad for your glasses. Depending on the ones you have, the replacement method can vary slightly.

First, there are three main types of nose pads to choose from:

1. Screw-in
2. Push-in
3. Adhesive

Second, there are several shapes of nose pads such as D-shaped, oval, button, teardrop, etc. You need to know which shape of the nose pad is most suitable for your frame. The easy way not to go wrong is to find a nose pad that is the same shape as what you already have installed on your metal glasses.

Third, usually, nose pads are sized in millimetres. And, size is very important in any eyewear purchase. Just like the necessity of choosing the right glasses for your face shape, you need to know the right size of the nose pads. This measurement is taken from top to bottom. You can measure the nose pads you already have in order to know the appropriate size for replacement.

Finally, nose pads are available in different materials. They can be made from silicone, glass, rubber, ceramic or other types of plastics. Generally, silicone nose pads are the most common as they offer great comfort, so, we recommend going for those.

Once you've found out the type, shape, size and material of your desired nose pads, you're ready to purchase a new pair and replace them with your old ones. Let's see how to replace each type of nose pad.

Screw-in nose pads are the most common type in glasses. But their replacement can seem more complicated than others. Don’t worry, you know we got your back. We’ll make it easier for you to learn by going through the steps one by one. So, grab a pen, a paper and start writing the instructions:

Here are the tools you will need:

• A nose pads
• A 1.0 mm flathead screwdriver
• A magnet
• An extra screw (in case of an emergency or if you lost the one in your glasses)

Having problems finding them? You can now purchase a nose pad replacement kit which already includes all the tools you'll need! Phew, what a smart move, right?

Now comes the moment of truth, here’s how to replace the nose-pads:

1. Wash your hands properly.
2. Hold your eyeglasses gently and remove the screw from the padded arm.  
3. After you remove the old nose pad, insert the new ones carefully into the mount on the frame. The nose pad should line up with the screw hole.  
4. While holding the nose pad in place, gently use the magnet to attract the screw head. Keep in mind that the screw needs to be vertical to the magnet so that the screw head gets stuck on it.  
5. Bring the magnet to the screw hole and carefully place the screw to the hole.
6. Move the magnet horizontally and remove it from the screw head carefully. Remember, you need to do these with steady hands; otherwise, the screw will come off.
7. You have a loose screw head pointing upwards on your glasses. With the help of a screwdriver, tighten the screw gently.

Et voila! Your eyeglasses are finally ready to be worn!

Unlike screw-in nose pads, push-in nose pads for glasses are easier to replace as they require no extra hardware.

For this type, the process is straightforward. All you need is to push the old nose pad off your glasses with your finger and snap on the new ones and your eyeglasses are ready!

What are adhesive nose pads? What are they for? Adhesive nose pads are used for glasses that don't come with nose pads. Yes, this can happen. They are generally used on acetate frames to provide additional comfort and to help keep the glasses from sliding down the nose.

To use them, you have to peel away the back paper of the pad to reveal the sticky side, it’s like ripping off a band-aid! Then, stick the adhesive nose pad to the portion of the frame that rests on your nose and you are done!

Can we offer you a fantastic tip that would come in handy? For replacing nose pads to sit comfortably, apply the adhesive pads closer to the top sides in case you have a skinny or narrow nose bridge.

Now that you know how to replace your nose pads, you can enjoy optimal comfort and make your glasses feel like new again! Just remember to choose the right type, size, shape, and material for your specific frames. A thoughtful selection will ensure a perfect fit, preventing misalignment and discomfort. Enjoy your refreshed look and comfort!