Question
I would like to reuse my current frame to put my new prescription in to save the cost of a new frame, but my wife thinks I am being cheap and should get a whole new pair. What’s your professional take?
Answer
I appreciate that this question comes with a bit of domestic tension built in, and I also understand the suspicion that might accompany a recommendation that benefits someone else’s bottom line. However, here is the thing about reusing a frame: it might be a reasonable thing to do, but only if the frame is actually up to the job. Frames flex every time you put them on and take them off, and over months and years that flexing can leave your frame worn out in ways you cannot easily spot with the naked eye. When the lab installs new lenses into an old frame, the process itself puts considerable strain on it, too, and a frame that has quietly weakened over time from everyday wear and tear may not hold up to that strain the way it once did. Putting a fresh prescription into a tired frame can be a bit like putting new tires on a car with a bent axle: technically possible, but not exactly advisable.
Another practical consideration is whether you have a backup pair of glasses that would be serviceable in a pinch, should you choose to recycle your frame for this new prescription and then subsequently have your glasses get lost or broken. If using an older pair several years out of date or having no glasses at all for days or weeks while getting a new pair made up would put a cramp in your work day or holiday, then keeping your current pair “as is” for emergencies and getting a complete new set makes good sense.
So, rather than seeing it as a battle of wills with your wife or an opportunistic “upsell” by a salesperson, get the advice of a trusted professional. If, after a careful inspection, your frame appears to be in suitable condition to be reused (and you have a backup pair for while your frame is at the lab, or should things go sideways during the reglazing process) then go ahead with your plan. If, on the other hand, your optical expert can point out reasons why reusing your old frame is not the best money saving idea you’ve ever had, then they are very likely trying to help you protect the investment you are about to make in your new lenses with a long-term view toward your satisfaction.
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At Mayfair Optometric Clinic we provide a welcoming environment for patients to receive eye exams and pick out the perfect eyewear that works for each individual. Please give us a call to book your appointment with Dr. Peddle or myself.
