How to Tighten my Glasses

Medically reviewed by Khuram Sarwar, Dispensing Optician at Feel Good Contacts.

If you wear glasses and have worn them for a while, you may have experienced that they begin to slip off your face over time. Loose glasses can be annoying to keep pushing back up again. They can also end up looking crooked and not sit well on your face, affecting your line of sight.

Issues glasses wearers have with a loose-fitting frame

Here are some of the most common issues that can occur from an ill-fitted pair of glasses:

  • The nose pads move out of place
  • The screws on the glasses become too loose
  • The temple arms of your glasses move out of place

Properly fitted glasses will ensure that you always have clear vision, therefore a properly fitting frame is essential.

How can I keep my glasses from sliding down my nose?

The following tips can help your glasses fit perfectly:

  • Tighten your glasses at home – this will prevent them from sliding down your nose.
  • Clean your face and glasses to remove any dirt or sweat. This can stop them from sliding down your face.
  • Keep a cleaning kit handy. Use our Feel Good Cleaning Kit; it contains all cleaning essentials for your glasses, and it fits perfectly in your bag.

We highly advise that you visit an optician and ask them to adjust your prescription glasses for you. If you go to your regular optician, they will usually do this for free, or for a very small fee. If for any reason you cannot reach your optician, here is our short guide on how to adjust your glasses yourself.

How to adjust your glasses at home

In just a few simple steps, you can adjust your pair of crooked glasses to stay functional, as well as ensuring they feel the most comfortable.

Deciding on what adjustments to make

Before you adjust your wonky glasses, you need to determine what the problem is. Here are some of the various problems you may encounter:

1. The glasses are loose or sitting crooked

If you have crooked glasses or your glasses are loose, you’ll need to bend the left arm and/or the right arm. Here’s how to adjust the arms:

  • If the glasses are loose - simply heat up the plastic temple part of the frame and gently bend the arms towards each other around the area of the temple tips.
  • You can heat up the frame by using a hair dryer. Simply apply the heat for 20-30 seconds.

The glasses are loose or sitting crooked

The temple arms may become crooked and bent over time, often tilting to one side. This is how you can fix this problem:

  • Lay your eyeglasses upside down on a flat surface.
  • Both of the temple arms should rest evenly without looking bent. If they do not, you will need to adjust them

If the temple arms are crooked, make note of whichever side sits higher and bend the opposite temple arm down at the hinge or where it bends behind your ear.

left lens is higher than the right lens

If the left lens is higher than the right lens, bend the right temple arm down.

left lens is higher than the right lens

If the right lens is higher than the left lens, bend the left temple arm down.

Top tip: We only recommend doing this with wire metal frames. Plastic frames with thick temple arms may need to be heated to adjust; we do not recommend trying this at home. You should seek the assistance of your optician.

2. Your glasses are too tight or are sliding down your face

If your glasses are too tight or are sliding down your face, you may:

  • Need to run the temple tips under warm water for 30-60 seconds before bending them into place.
  • You can also use a hairdryer for 20-30 seconds.

If your glasses are too tight

If your glasses are too tight - carefully bend the temple tips upwards to relax the curve.

If your glasses are too loose

If your glasses are too loose - bend the temple tips downwards to add curve.

Try them on again and check if the fit is better. If not, repeat the same process until you are satisfied with the fit of your glasses.

Top tip: Whatever you do, avoid putting your lenses under hot water as this can damage them..

3. One lens is closer to the eye than the other

Please follow the diagram instruction to fix this issue:

If your left lens is closer

If your left lens is closer to your eye than your right lens, either bend the left temple arm in or the right temple arm out.

If your right lens is closer

If your right lens is closer to your eye than your left lens, either bend the right temple arm in or the left temple arm out.

4. Your glasses are pinching your nose or are sitting too high/low

Nose pads or nose pieces are a common feature on glasses, they are designed for added comfort. As nose pads are adjustable, over time, they can move out of place. If your nose pads are out of place, simply tilt them back into a position that sits most comfortably on your nose, they should slip back into position when you move them.

If your glasses are pinching the nose

If your glasses are pinching the nose - push the nose pads away from your nose until they feel comfortable.

If your glasses are sitting too low

If your glasses are sitting too low - push the nose pads closer together using your thumb, until they fit comfortably on the sides of your nose.

Top tip: Be aware that with metal frames, you should have a space between your nose and the bridge of the frame so that it doesn’t dig in. There should be no space with plastic frames and if there is you may not be wearing glasses suitable for you.

Please note: Some frames can’t be easily adjusted due to their material. Titanium, memory plastic and aluminium alloy frames, for example, are resistant to adjustment and will not bend easily.

How do you tighten screws on glasses?

On the inner section of the temples (where the eyeglass frames and arms meet) you will usually find incredibly small screws. Tighten the screws using a mini screwdriver. Eyeglass repair kits such as our Feel Good Handy Kit are perfect for tightening screws on your glasses.

If you find your glasses very quickly becoming loose again, you may need to replace the screws. See below for more tips on how to tighten glasses.

Make minor adjustments

Avoid making large adjustments to your glasses at once. This could make the problem worse and more difficult to correct. As always, it is best to visit your optician to have a full adjustment of your glasses.

Protect your glasses from the start

If you protect your glasses from the start, damage is less likely to occur. When your glasses are not in use, remember to keep them in the case they came with.

The hard body of the case will protect your glasses from getting crushed, becoming loose or changing shape. It will also protect them from scratching.

Also, remember to regularly clean your glasses with a microfibre cloth and cleaning spray to reduce the build-up of dirt and debris and ensure you have clear vision all day.

If you have any queries regarding frame adjustments or need any help, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our helpful customer service team. They are available 7 days a week for any questions you have.

When to take your glasses to a professional

Some frames are made of materials such as aluminium alloy, memory plastic, and titanium, which makes it tricky to adjust the glasses on your own. In fact, types of frame style such as rimless or semi-rimless can also be difficult to adjust because of fragility. In such cases it’s better to visit a professional to get your glasses fixed.

Glasses for up to 70% off at Feel Good Contacts

You can get your glasses for up to 70% off when you buy glasses online at Feel Good Contacts. Rather than having to go outside, why not order your glasses from the comfort of your home? Whether you’re after brands such as Ray-Ban, Superdry, Polo Ralph Lauren, Oakley, Tommy Hilfiger, or you’re simply after stunning styles and designs, you’ll find the right pair of glasses for you on our site.

Order prescription or non-prescription glasses; you can complete your order without having to enter your prescription (you can share your prescription with us later via email or message). Remember to choose your glasses based on your face shape. If you’re unsure what glasses would suit you, look at our face-shape guide and make your decision easier. You can also add a tint of your choice and convert your glasses into sunglasses.

If you’re just after great styles, check out our Feel Good Collection; affordable and stylish frames starting from £6 only! Get all frame styles from classic aviators to round shapes in one place. Save when you shop with us!

Quick links:

Glasses frame size guide
What is pupillary distance (PD)?
How to know if your glasses prescription is wrong?


Disclaimer: The advice in this article is for informational purposes only and does not replace medical care or an in-person check-up. Please check with an eyecare professional before purchasing any products or remedies. For information on our article review process, please refer to our Editorial Policy.

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