Vintage Glasses

As with most eyeglass frames, getting your prescription lenses put in is a job for an optometrist or optician. However, when you are dealing with vintage frames, the process can be slightly more complicated.

First of all, you must find an optometrist willing to put new lenses in frames that were not purchased there. Most will do this but a few will not, since they would prefer you spend money on their own frames. If an optometrist tells you “no,” ask him or her to refer you to someone who will. The big chains, such as Wal-Mart and Lens Crafters, are often more accommodating than smaller independent shops. Second, if they are willing to remove the old lenses (if the frames already have lenses in) and insert new ones, they will probably have you sign a form that indicates they can’t be held responsible if the frames break from the stress.

In most cases there is no reason to be alarmed at this. If your frames are in good condition, they will probably accommodate new lenses with ease. However, be aware that with plastic frames, the plastic may have become more brittle over time and will therefore require more care. With all frames there is a small risk that they will break during the process, but these occurrences are rare and you should not let the thought discourage you from buying a beautiful pair of frames (especially since vintage frames can usually be had much more inexpensively than the frames you see for sale in the shops, which often cost upwards of $200).

If the frames are deadstock (which means never sold, never worn, without the previous wearer’s lenses in) there is very little reason to worry about breakage since they are probably in top-notch condition.

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