how long do your glasses frames last?

[SweetheartLittleLove]

I'm having to replace my glasses once a year because the frames bend out of shape

e.g. the arms get wider and wider and the glasses keep falling off. And one arm seems to twist downwards at the hinge. Even if I get them reshaped and screws tightened they are unwearable again within a few months! Boots and Specsavers (usually rimless).

What am I doing wrong? Or do lots of people experience this?

[chelsbells]

My glasses have lasted me years.. (I wear lenses too though) but DH's glasses lasted 8 years, only changed them this year as his prescription changed. We both spent a fair amount of money on them though... My frames bought in vision express but are Armani so maybe it is worth paying money upfront as they last longer so is cheaper in the long run.

[dontcryitsonlyajoke]

Thin metal frames are crap. I used to have to change them yearly. I've lasted about 7 years with my chunky black plastic ones. They cost a lot at the time (Chanel ones) but have lasted 8 years so on a cost per day basis we're probably at about 10p now. They also look tonnes better than thin metal ones :)

[dontcryitsonlyajoke]

Ha! I couldn't remember if it was 7 or 8 years so clearly ended up typing both - they were bought either when pregnant with DS or when he was a baby. He's nearly 8. Either way, they've lasted a long time!

[vvviola]

I bought new glasses just before a holiday I went on in 2005.

I replaced them late last year, only because I was sick of the sight of them. They were perfectly good.

But they were thick plastic frames. I've gone for a similar style again this time, and got a second pair free, so hopefully won't need to change them again for another 10 years or so

[SweetheartLittleLove]

I wish I could wear chunky plastic ones but they look horrendous on me as I have a big nose and they draw attention to it!!!

My dad suggested frames with a spring in the hinge.

[louise2011]

It's because you have rimless! They don't wear well at all!

[itsbetterthanabox]

Rimless doesn't help.
Also do you lie down wearing them? Watching Tv or anything? That's what bends mine most.

[ThumbWitchesAbroad]

I'm heavy handed with mine.
I broke my NHS ones (blue plastic, so attractive!) when I was about 10, right through the middle of the nose piece while I was on a school trip - we had to tape them together for the rest of the week, and then my grandad (an engineer) put a metal plate on both sides to mend them.
Having said that, my BFF also had NHS blue plastic glasses and was forever needing new arms for them (but she had the wire hooky arms, not the straight plastic ones).

I broke a pair of Boots ones recently - the frame snapped where the bridge joins one eye section. (I have semi-rimless, my prescription is too strong to allow me to have full rimless). And I did the same thing 2 years ago with my Specsavers (Australia) frames.

I think I clean them too vigorously - the action I use seems to bend them a little and obviously puts too much strain on the bridge.

[cressetmama]

If you really want rimless then you need to consider titanium frames. DH has had two pairs made by Lindberg for at least 9 years and they are fine. However, he is careful of them because they are eye-wateringly expensive.

[onedogatoddlerandababy]

Make sure you don't lie down with them on (leaning on the arms of the glasses) and use both hands to take them off - I am trying to train myself out of doing it one handed as it twists the frame and will warp the arm.
Also, make sure when the frames/arms/nose piece become loose to go back to the opticians to have them adjusted.

As pp have said rimless are terrible at keeping their shape - there just isn't much frame to hold them together against any kind of pressure.

[Eminado]

4 years

[OneofTHOSEWomen]

Always replace every two years, I tend to get bored of them.

[Floisme]

I also replace every couple of years although I could get longer out of them if I really had to.

It's a big expense and sometimes it nearly kills me but I wear my specs every waking moment so they're a big part of my style. They're the one thing I won't skimp on.

[SalmonMaki]

Coming up to 20 years: I have a pair of Lindberg Air Titanium glasses. They cost an absolute fortune (to me) at the time but have lasted an incredibly long time. I have had new lenses a couple of times over the years, but only because my prescription changed.

If I had a spare £700 I wouldn't hesitate to get another pair (the styling has obviously changed over the years and the latest styles are much more "invisible").

Oh and they are the most comfortable glasses I've ever worn (I have a small selection of other brands/styles too). I wear my Lindbergs most days.