Can Eyeglass Frames be Repaired?

For residents of Portland, OR eyeglass frame repair is available at Asterix Eyewear. You invested a lot of time and money in your eyeglass frames. It only makes good sense to repair instead of replace when or if something happens with your eyeglass frames. You might be surprised at how easy it is to get your eyeglass frames repaired. Read on to learn more.

Common Eyeglass Frames Issues

Quality eyeglass frames can be relied upon to withstand the rigors of normal wear and tear. You should be able to safely remove, wear and store your eyeglass frames without worrying that they’re too fragile to stand up to everyday use. But sometimes, issues do occur, even with the best eyeglass frames. Some common eyeglass frame issues that occur with plastic or metal frames include:

  • Hinge displacement or loss
  • Bridge breakage
  • Bending out of shape
  • Nose pad displacement or loss
  • Lens displacement

Other issues might occur with your glass or plastic eyeglass frames, but these are the most common things that are seen regarding eyeglass frame repair at Asterix Eyewear in Portland, OR.

Differences Between Plastic and Metal Eyeglass Frames Repair

Both plastic and metal eyeglass frames are durable. But when it comes to repair, they will be treated differently. Depending upon the nature of the problem, what the eyeglasses are made of and how old they are, the repair will be handled differently. For instance, if you need to have a vintage pair of eyeglasses repaired, you should bring them into Asterix Eyewear, because we specialize in this type of repair, such as drill and tap screw repairs and replacement. If you have rimless frames, you can rely on us for frame replacements, drill mount bushing replacements, drill mount frame welds and more. If you have metal frames, rely on us for things like flashing hinge welds, eyewire welds, frame welds and more.

Do these repairs sound like another language? Don’t worry. You don’t need to know how to fix your eyeglass frames. All you need to do is to contact Asterix Eyewear in Portland for eyeglass frames repair. Give us a call when you have a problem. We’ll know what to do and how long it will take. Contact us today to learn more.

Pros and Cons of Plastic vs. Metal Eyeglasses

Pros and Cons of Plastic vs. Metal Eyeglasses  

Once you’ve finished your eye exam and are ready to pick out new eyeglasses in Portland, you’ll find yourself emerged in a plethora of frame styles and colors. With so many options from which to choose, you’ll be wondering about the differences between plastic and metal eyeglass frames. Since both offer several advantages, choosing eyeglass frames often comes down to personal preference. To help make your decision easier, here are a few things to consider.

Comfort

If you want comfort, you can do fine with either metal or plastic frames. While plastic frames have a molded bridge that rests on your nose, metal frames usually have nose pads that can be adjusted to fit the contours of your nose, allowing for fine-tuned adjustments if necessary.

Color Options

As color has become a more important aspect of eyeglass frames, both plastic and metal frames now offer a wide array of colors for folks of all ages. Whether you are a style-conscious adult or have a child who may be getting their first pair of eye glasses, being able to find glasses in your favorite color will always be fun.

Active Lifestyle

Since you may lead a very active lifestyle, make sure you take this into consideration when selecting your eyeglass frames. For example, while metal frames may initially look a bit fragile to you, they are actually made to be very durable, just as are plastic frames. In some cases, metal frames may be more lightweight and flexible than plastic lenses, which could play a factor if you engage in sporting activities.

Prescription Level

Finally, you may want to take the prescription level for your lenses into account when selecting your frames. If your eyesight is poor and you require a higher prescription, this may mean your lenses could be somewhat heavier and thicker. If this is the case, plastic frames may be more suitable. However, with the many advances in optical technology, even lenses for higher prescriptions can be made much thinner and lighter than in years past, allowing them to work well in metal frames.

By talking to your optometrist and optician during the selection process, you can walk out of the office wearing a pair of glasses that will make you the talk of the town.

 

7 Tips For Keeping Eyeglasses in Good Condition

A great pair of eyeglasses can make you feel attractive and capable. Once you find a quality pair, it only makes sense that you’d want them to last as long as possible. Here are seven tips for keeping eyeglasses in good condition.

1. Rinse Glasses Before Wiping

Rinse your eyeglasses under running water before you wipe them off. When you try to wipe a dry lens, you can inadvertently scrape them with microscopic particles of dust that are sitting on top of the eyeglass lenses.

2. Avoid Household Cleaners

Try not to use any chemicals to clean your eyeglasses. Even seemingly innocuous household cleaners such as Windex can actually eat away at the delicate lens coating over time.

3. Use a Special Lens Cloth

Avoid using materials such as napkins, tissues or paper towels on your eyeglasses. These materials are typically textured and can easily cause abrasions on your eyeglass lenses. Similarly, don’t use the tail of a T-shirt. Evening you’re wearing a cotton T-shirt, microscopic dust particles can adhere to the T-shirt and cause scratches on your eyeglasses. Special lens cloths are available at department stores and at your eye doctor’s office.

4. Always Store Eyeglasses in a Case

When you aren’t wearing your eyeglasses, always store them in an eyeglass case. This will avoid them getting scratches and even worse, someone accidentally knocking them off a table.

5. Don’t Set Glasses Down Beside You

When you remove your eyeglasses for just a minute or two, don’t put them on the seat next to you where someone could sit on them accidentally. Instead, place them in your shirt pocket or on the table next to you until you put them on again.

6. Don’t Try to Fix Eyeglasses Yourself

If your eyeglasses need to be repaired or adjusted, bring them to your eye doctor in Portland. Otherwise, you risk damaging the frame, lenses or both.

7. Get Lenses Replaced

If you love your eyeglasses, you can keep them even if you need a new prescription. Just bring in the frames and your Portland eye doctor can fit the frames with updated lenses.

These tips will help you to ensure that your eyeglasses last as long as possible. To book an appointment for an eyeglasses prescription now, please contact us.

What Type of Eyeglasses Are Most Durable?

When you count on your glasses every day to help you see, you likely won’t leave the house without them. This everyday wear and use can mean eyeglasses are prone to breaking down pretty quickly without the proper care. And, even with the proper care, some glasses seem to break down relatively quickly. When you want to make sure your glasses last for as long as possible, scoping out the many styles to find which ones have the most durable features is important. Here are a few good tips to keep in mind as you look for the most durable eyeglasses possible.

Look for Eyeglasses Made by Good Brands

You can get eyeglasses from any number of good brands. From Carrera and Nike to Eight to Eighty and Lacoste, there are a number of good names to pick from. While durability is not always wrapped up in the brand of glasses you choose, what you can count on is quality. The quality f the materials used can have a big impact on how well your glasses hold up over the years.

Check Out a Number of Frames to Find Those Most Comfortable

A comfortable pair of eyeglasses is going to stay seated on your nose and ears well. The frames won’t shift, move around, or leave you reaching to pull them off on a regular basis. Therefore, glasses that offer the best fit are bound to last you for far longer. The frames are less likely to be handled, less likely to fall off of your face, and less likely to get damaged over the years of use.

Trust an Eyewear Professional in Portland for Help

Picking glasses is kind of a big deal for a multitude of reasons. Working with an eyewear professional as you sift through the many frame styles can be a huge help, especially when you are looking for the most durable designs. Eyewear professionals have a plethora of knowledge about different brands, the materials they are crafted from, and how often the frames are brought in for repairs. If you want assistance picking out the most durable frames, reach out to us at Asterix Eyewear for help.

 

Can I Put New Lenses Into Vintage Eye Glass Frames?

Do you have a pair of old glasses you simply love? Maybe you found them at an estate sale or in a consignment shop, and you love the way they frame your face. The problem is that you can see through the lenses. Because you need prescription eye glasses, vintage options like these won’t work. You’ll look great, but you’ll be unable to see in the process.

Luckily, in most cases, you can have new prescription lenses ground and shaped to fit old, vintage frames. All that’s required is a visit to your local eye professional.

How Do I Get New Lenses into Vintage Frames?

Ask your vision specialist about the possibility of using vintage frames to house your new prescription lenses. In most instances, it should not be a problem. There are, however, times when the procedure is not possible. Everything depends upon:

  • The condition of the vintage frames
  • Your prescription requirements
  • The curvature, size, and shape of the frames you’d like to use

If you choose frames that are in poor condition, that are too fragile to hold the lenses you need, or simply won’t work with your prescription, your vision professional will have a suitable solution.

What Do I Need to Bring With Me?

Bring the vintage frames you’d like to use to your vision appointment. Your eye doctor will perform an eye exam to determine your prescription. They will then be able to tell you whether the frames you’d like to use are compatible. If not, you’ll have many other frames from which to choose. If you would still like to use vintage frames, your vision specialist will be able to advise you on the correct shape and size of the ones you’ll need to provide.

Contact Asterix Eyewear Today

When you’re ready to put new lenses into vintage frames, contact Asterix Eyewear, in Portland, OR. Our fast and friendly eyewear specialists are professionals at solving eyeglass problems in the Portland area. Whether you need a simple vision checkup or something more, we’re waiting to help. Call today to schedule a consultation.

 

How to Protect Eyeglass Lenses From Scratches

Nothing’s worse than putting your eyeglasses on, only to discover that you’re looking straight into a scratch on your lens. Not only is this annoying; it’s also a little unsafe, especially if you’re driving or operating any kind of machinery. Clear vision is a necessity, which is why you got eyeglasses to begin with! Not mention that you won’t look well put together if your eyeglasses are all scratched up. Here are some tips from your eye doctor in Portland for protecting your lenses from scratches.

Opt For Scratch-Resistant Lenses

The first line of defense against scratches is scratch-resistant coating. When you first order your lenses, your eye doctor will give you this option, and you should definitely take them up on it. Scratch-resistant coating for eyeglasses is just a transparent coating that protects the actual lenses from scratches. It doesn’t affect your vision and it’s not visible to you or others. It’s affordable and well worth it!

Use Only Special Lens Cloths

You can buy specialty lens cleaning cloths at your eye doctor’s office in Portland, online and in many retail outlets. These come in washable and disposable styles, so you can take your pick. These cloths are made with special fibers that won’t scratch your eyeglass lenses. Make sure you only use these and don’t use anything else like:

  • Facial tissues
  • Toilet paper
  • Wash cloths
  • Kitchen tea towels
  • Paper towels
  • Your t-shirt

To ensure you always have a specialty lens cloth, buy extras and keep them where you are most likely to need them, like:

  • Pocket/purse
  • Nightstand
  • Gym/school locker
  • Tv room
  • Kitchen
  • Car
  • Golf cart
  • Bicycle bag
  • Backpack, etc.

Always Store in Eyeglass Case

If you’re like many people, you don’t wear your glasses 24/7. When you aren’t wearing them, always store them in your eyeglass case. The trick here is to own multiple eyeglass cases so you never have to hunt down the one case. Keep one in each room in your house, in your work desk, outside on the patio, in the car, etc. The more you have available, the easier it will be to protect your eyeglass lenses from scratches.

If your eyeglasses become unwearable due to scratches, bring them into the eye doctor for a possible repair. Contact us today for more information.

 

Difference Between Bifocals and Progressive Lenses

The older you get, the more your vision changes. Many people find that, as they age, they have difficulties seeing both far and near. This presents a problem as far as prescriptive eyewear. If the optometrist corrects for near vision, then you won’t be able to see items in the distance. If the optometrist corrects for far vision, then you won’t be able to see to read or do other close-up tasks. This is where bifocal lenses come in. Bifocal lenses have both near and far vision correction in a single lens. However, you also have the option to get progressive lenses, which also offer both near and far vision correction. So what’s the difference between bifocals and progressive lenses?

What Are Bifocals?

Bifocal lenses are divided into two different areas on the lens. In the past, you could clearly see the demarcation between the two areas with a visible line on the lens. In fact, you can still get bifocal lenses that have that line. Now, though, bifocal lenses without the line are available. These are called invisible bifocals. The idea behind bifocals is that you look straight ahead to see objects in the distance and look down to see items that are close to you. So in each instance, you are looking through the two different parts of the lens. This enables a person to have both near and far vision correction in one pair of eyeglasses.

What are Progressive Lenses?

To understand what progressive lenses are, think of them as multifocal lenses. Instead of having just two different regions on each lens, there are actually three areas with different vision correction. The three areas are near distance, far distance, and middle distance. The different areas on progressive lenses are invisible because there is no line of demarcation. However, if you could see how the lens is divided, it would resemble an hourglass.

Both bifocals and progressive lenses offer you the ability to see both near and far and one pair of eyeglasses. Bifocals and progressive lenses will both require you to become accustomed to the lenses. Once you do though, you will appreciate not having to switch between regular eyeglasses and reading glasses. Speak to your eye doctor about whether you are better suited for bifocals or progressive lenses.

 

3 Must-Knows About Eyeglass Frame Materials

You find out that you need eyeglasses, so you get sent to an optics center to pick frames from a sea of options. If you are like most, you will try on several pairs of frames to determine what looks best. However, there are a few things that should be considered about the materials the frames are made out of as well. Here are three must-knows about eyeglass frame materials.

1. Some materials have the potential to last a lifetime.

The typical life span of a pair of eyeglasses is usually somewhere around one to three years. However, some types of materials do have the potential to last far longer. Of course, it is common to have to get new prescription lenses, but if your frames are still in good shape, it can be less expensive to simply replace the lenses and not the frames. For example, a pair of metal frames can often far outlast a pair of plastic or resin frames; some may even last a lifetime with proper care.

2. Certain eyeglass frame materials are more about aesthetics than longevity.

Most people who have to wear glasses naturally want some type of frames that go well with their own individual style and personality. For this reason, the majority of frames out there to pick from are more about the aesthetic appearance of the glasses and not so much about the longevity of the material. However, it is possible to find a set of frames that offer a nice balance of both.

3. Some types of materials can be easily repaired and some cannot.

One thing to keep in mind when selecting a pair of frames is some types of frame materials are easily repaired when they have issues and some will simply have to be replaced. For example, many of the plastic frames are harder to repair when they break, but most frameless frames and metal frames are easier to repair.

Find the Right Eyeglass Frames for You

Choosing the best eyeglasses does involve careful consideration of the frames and the material they are made out of. If you need help picking out quality frames, reach out to us at Asterix Eyewear for more information.

How Do Mail-In Eyeglass Repair Services Work?

You have a pair of eyeglasses that you paid a lot to get, but, unfortunately, the frames have been damaged and are no longer wearable. Even if you do not have a local place that offers eyeglasses repairs, you can find options available for mail-in repair services. How does this work? Here is a look at what you should know before getting started.

Find a Reliable Eyeglass Repair Center for Help

You can find many companies that offer mail-in repair services for your eyeglasses and sunglasses. However, not every one will be the same, and you should definitely find a company with a reputable reputation like Asterix. Any service provider you find should:

  • Have clear contact information available on their website
  • Have reasonable prices for repair services
  • Have skilled opticians performing the work on your glasses

In addition, the service provider should state that they use optimum lens materials and the latest technologies and techniques to make repairs.

Call the Service Provider to Discuss Your Needs

It is always best if you can give the service provider a call to discuss your glasses issue and whether or not it can be repaired. During this conversation, you may be asked questions about the age of the glasses and the type of problems that are present, as well as what type of frames you have. If there is a reason why your glasses cannot be repaired, you will be notified during the conversation so you don’t send your glasses in for no reason.

Fill Out Your Repair Request Form for Eyeglasses Repair

Most places are going to ask you to submit a repair request form when you mail in your glasses. This form will simply ask for your contact information and general questions about what you need to have done. Be as thorough as possible with your request, and double-check your information before mailing out your glasses to make sure everything is correct.

Contact Us About Mail-In Eyeglasses Repair

Your glasses are no doubt important to you, and you may have paid quite a bit to get them. Therefore, getting repairs instead of replacement is almost always desirable. If you have glasses that need repairs, reach out to us at Asterix Eyewear in Portland, OR about our mail-in repair services.

 

3 Ways Eyeglasses Can Change Your Appearance to Others

Your eyeglasses are easily a trademark thing about your appearance, but did you know that glasses can also give off impressions about who you are as a person. According to Psychology Today, Hollywood even uses glasses in film and TV to make an impression on audiences, and it really does work. Here is a look at some of the ideas on how glasses can change your appearance to others.

Full-rim glasses may make you appear more trustworthy.

Full-rim glasses attract people’s attention to your eyes, and some studies suggest that this alone can make you appear to be more trustworthy. Whether that is the case with everyone or not, full-rim glasses can be a major difference when compared to rimless glasses frame choices. These glasses tend to work best for people who have a desire to appear intelligent or attractive.

Rimless glasses may make your face less memorable.

Rimless glasses are a common choice among people who need glasses but are not all that comfortable having a pair that changes their appearance in any drastic way. However, research has also shown that people who wear rimless glasses may have less memorable faces. Of course, having a pronounced pair of frames that attracts attention is likely going to grab the attention of onlookers more than usual.

Glasses may make you appear more intelligent.

In general, people with glasses are often assumed to be more intelligent by the general population. Maybe it is because people associate glasses with people who read a lot of books or do a lot of studying or because noteworthy geniuses usually have glasses, but the connotation is there just the same. It is not uncommon for some people to get glasses with non-prescription lenses simply because they like the fact that the frames give them that “smart” appearance.

Let Us Help You Get the Right Glasses in Portland, OR

Overall, glasses can be a huge part of how you are perceived as a person. Therefore, it is imperative that you pick the best ones. Reach out to us at Asterix Eyewear in Portland, OR to find out how we can help you get the frames that suit your personality the best.