Symptoms
- Temple arm wobbles or droops
- Lens or arm feels loose at the hinge
- A screw has fallen out entirely
- Glasses feel crooked on your face
Likely causes
- CommonNormal vibration loosened the hinge screwRepeated flexing at the hinge naturally backs screws out over time.
- PossibleScrew threads stripped from over-tightening previouslyA screw turned too much can strip the tiny threaded hole.
- PossibleMissing screw after it fell out unnoticedTiny screws are easy to lose without a case to catch them.
What to do
- Get a small eyeglass repair kit (cheap and widely available) with jeweler's screwdrivers and spare screws.
- Lay the glasses on a light-colored cloth so a dropped screw is easy to spot.
- If the screw is just loose, hold the hinge steady and tighten clockwise with the smallest flathead or Phillips screwdriver in the kit.
- Don't over-tighten; snug is enough, since the threads are very fine and strip easily.
- If a screw is missing, replace it with the closest matching size from the kit or a hardware store's tiny-screw assortment.
- A drop of clear nail polish on the screw head after tightening helps keep it from vibrating loose again.
Tools and parts
- Eyeglass repair kit (jeweler's screwdriver)
- Clear nail polish (optional)
Eyeglass hinge screws (assorted sizes)Search: “eyeglass repair kit assorted hinge screws”
When to call a pro
Most opticians will tighten or replace a hinge screw for free or a small fee, even if you didn't buy the glasses there.
Safety
Generally low risk
Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.