Using old glasses frames

[GeraniumJenny]

If I get a new prescription can opticians use my old frames? I have behind the ears hearing aids and small ears. The glasses I have now are great, they don’t fall off and they don’t cause pressure/sores. Can anyone help. Thanks.

I’ve found that it’s more expensive to reuse my old frames than to buy new which is really annoying when you find some you like. It may depend a bit on whether you get an NHS voucher and the cost of any new frames but worth asking your local optician about options maybe even as a second pair.

otherwise you can donate old glasses to be sent to countries where they don’t have access to the same sort of eye care that we do.

Optician here - yes, you usually can. Sometimes if it’s a plastic frame and old it can snap when heated.,how long have you had it?

You can but they have to be sent off usually so you won't have them in the interim.

Yes, but check that the shape of the lens, for your new prescription, works in the frame shape. A 'good' optical lab / opticians will be able to check this for you (one that isn't just about trying to get you spend more), as ours does and I had to change frames to work better with my prescription, alongside ensuring that lens thining sat well within the frame, but DH has had three sets of lenses in his glass frames to date. Might also depend on how good the frame still is and I need mine to see anything, so always have two pairs on the go, one newer, one older, just in case, as can't do without them!.

To add, our optician shares the site with the lab, so done on site.

I do this as much as possible. Opticians sometimes discourage it, saying that nothing is guaranteed, but it’s usually worked for me.

Thanks everyone for your help. My glasses are only 2 years old but so comfortable compared to the ones I had before. I’ve got 2 pairs so I’ll give it a go at my appointment.

My opticians offered to do this, but charge your a premium for it!

@GeraniumJenny

There are plenty of sites on the internet where you send a prescription and the frames. Reasonable prices!

Yes, as PP also said, if the current frames are in good condition and will work with the new lenses, which the optician can tell you at the appointment, then it's usually no problem.
The optician chain I use (not UK) does not charge extra for that.

But if you will have the cost of the glasses covered by some insurance, then check how they calculate everything.

Maybe, if it's not too expensive, you can get a second pair of the same make, if it is still in production?
And it depends on where the lenses are added, whether everything is done off-site and send to the optician store, or whether they will manufacture the new lenses and send them to the optician afterwards, where they are changed into the current frame. That will determine how long time you'll be without your glasses.

PS: I use my previous glasses as emergency replacements in case something breaks, as new glasses will take a while, so I do have use for them even when I get new glasses.

I used Lensology to replace lenses in my glasses (after getting a really pricey quote from my own opticians)

Yes, it's doable. I'm not sure about prices for other opticians, but I know Asda Opticians charge £89 for a reglaze.

Thanks for all your help.