Here’s how to decide what’s right for you.
If your prescription has changed or your lenses are scratched or damaged, you’re probably wondering whether to invest in new glasses — or simply reglaze the ones you already love.
At Clarke & Roskrow Styling Opticians, we help clients every week decide if reglazing is the right choice. We’ve seen the good, the bad, and the “definitely should’ve replaced them.”
In this article, you’ll learn when reglazing is smart, when it’s risky, and how to confidently decide what’s best for your vision, style, and wallet.
What Does “Reglazing” Actually Mean?
Reglazing (or relensing) is the process of fitting brand-new lenses into your existing spectacle frames.
It’s ideal if:
- Your prescription has changed
- Your lenses are scratched or damaged
- You want to upgrade to newer lens technology (e.g. thinner lenses type, different lens design, or changing clear lenses for light adaptive/photochromic)
- You love your current frames and don’t want to part with them
In essence, reglazing lets you keep the frames you know and love, while upgrading the lenses for better clarity and visual comfort. It’s particularly attractive for those who have high-quality frames they love and want to continue wearing.
4-Situations When Reglazing Your Glasses Could Be A Good Option.
Here are four situations where reglazing your glasses might make good sense:
1. You’ve had a change in prescription
If your vision has changed — but you’re still happy with your current frames — reglazing might offer a cost-effective way to update your glasses without buying a completely new pair.
2. Your lenses are scratched, chipped, or worn
Scratched or damaged lenses can impair the quality, clarity and comfort of your vision, as well as make wearing your glasses less enjoyable to wear. Reglazing lets you enjoy crystal-clear vision again, while keeping your treasured frames.
3. You want new lens technology
If you’re interested in lenses that darken in the sunlight, or looking to change lens type (e.g. single vision to varifocal), or you just want to upgrade your lenses to a newer, improved technology that could offer better clarity for your lifestyle — reglazing lets you upgrade your lenses while keeping the frames you adore.
4. You want to keep costs down
Reglazing can often be less expensive than buying a whole new pair. If your frames are still in excellent condition, reglazing can save you money — and reduce waste, too.
4-Reasons Not to Reglaze Your Glasses
While reglazing sounds like an ideal, quick and simple solution, it’s not always the best option. Here are some important things to consider before you go ahead:
1. Frame condition and age
Frames are more likely to break the older they get, especially if they’ve been well-used or “abused”. Acetate (plastics) frames become dry and brittle as they age, whilst metal frames can be prone to “metal fatigue”, especially if they’ve seen some hard wear. Frames that are old/tired, brittle, or have previously been repaired or reglazed might not survive the reglazing process. If they break during lens fitting, it may not be possible to recover the lenses or reuse them in a different frame.
2. No spare pair?
Reglazing typically takes 5-10 working days. If you rely on your glasses every day and don’t have a backup, being without them can be frustrating – what would life be like for the time you’re without your glasses? Can you drive without them? Can you work without them? Can you enjoy life to the fullest without your glasses? If you don’t have a usable back-up pair that will allow you to function happily whilst you’re without your favourite (and only) frames, we’d usually recommend keeping your current pair and getting a new one — so you’re never without the benefit of clear & comfortable vision for daily living.
3. Warranty and risk
Many frame warranties only cover manufacturing defects and deficiencies and won’t cover breakages during reglazing. If you’re reglazing an old frame, it’s more than possible that the frame is no longer in production (or the optician no longer works with that particular brand) and so a replacement frame can’t be sourced in the event of a mishap during the reglazing process. The same risk applies if reglazing a used frame that was purchased elsewhere. So there’s a small risk involved in both scenarios if anything goes wrong.
4. Style and fit
Even if your frames are technically fine, it’s worth asking yourself: do they still reflect your style? Do they look outdated? Do they still fit well or has the frame got out of shape? Have you changed shape? Maybe you’ve lost weight and the frame no longer comfortably fits or suits your face shape. Perhaps you wear your hair differently or you’ve changed the colour? Maybe you now wear a beard or you’re a bit thinner on top? All of these factors might mean that, actually, this could be a great opportunity to explore new frame options that better suit your current look and lifestyle.
How Does The Glasses Reglazing Process Work?
At Clarke & Roskrow, we aim to make reglazing simple and stress-free.
Here’s how it works:
- Come in for a consultation
Bring along your current frames and we’ll assess their condition. If we think they’re suitable for reglazing, we’ll talk you through lens options and pricing. - Choose your lenses
We’ll guide you to the right lenses based on your prescription, lifestyle and needs — whether you need single vision, varifocals, or other lens type, we’ll explore all the options to help you make the right decision. - We send your frames to our lab
This usually takes around 5-10 working days. Once they’re back with us, they’ll have a final quality-control inspection before we let you know when they’re ready for collection. - Collect and enjoy
When your reglazed glasses are ready, we’ll invite you back in to make sure the lenses are fitted properly, the frames are comfortable, and everything looks just right. You can then enjoy the benefit of clearer and more comfortable vision with the familiarity of your favoured frames!
So… Should You Reglaze?
Here’s how to decide:
✅ Reglaze if:
- You love your current frames
- They’re in excellent condition
- You want to update your lenses without buying a complete new pair
- You have a spare pair (or more!) to use during the process
❌ Buy new if:
- Your frames are old, damaged, out of shape, or uncomfortable
- You want a fresh look
- You don’t have a backup pair and can’t go without glasses for 1–2 weeks
- Your warranty doesn’t cover reglazing damage and you don’t want to take the risk
Still Unsure?
If you’re trying to decide whether to reglaze your glasses or buy a new pair, it all comes down to frame condition, age, lens needs, style preferences, and lifestyle.
Many of our clients face this same decision, especially when trying to balance cost with style.
If you’re still unsure, our team at Clarke & Roskrow is here to help. Book a free consultation so we can assess your frames, explain your options, and guide you to the best decision for your vision and lifestyle.
And don’t forget, you can spread the cost of your glasses over 3-11 months with our Flexible Payment Plan.
Clarke & Roskrow Styling Opticians — helping you see clearly and stylishly, every step of the way.
