Reglazing Glasses: How It Works, When to Do It, and When to Replace
Updated: 10th August 2026
If you wear prescription glasses regularly, you might be wondering how often they should be updated. Maybe your lenses are scratched, your prescription has changed, or you simply want a new style.
The good news is that whether you’re considering replacing your glasses or getting your glasses reglazed, you don’t always need to start from zero. We’re here to help you choose what’s best for your eyes, your budget, and your look.
What Is Reglazing?
Reglazing means fitting brand-new lenses into your existing frames. The old lenses come out, new ones go in, cut to your prescription, and your frames stay exactly as they are. It works for prescription glasses and sunglasses alike, and the frames don't need to have come from us originally.
The process is simple: choose your frame type and lens package online, pay, and post your frames to us. We'll fit your new lenses and send them back within 7 to 10 working days, with a fresh case and cloth included. No appointment, no frame hunting. You can see the full breakdown on our reglazing page.
Lens Damage
Daily wear can be damaging to your lenses, especially if you don't use a protective case or cleaning cloth regularly. Scratches, smudges that no longer wipe away, and chips along the lens edge can all reduce optical clarity. While serious damage may require a complete replacement, reglazing can be used to repair most scratched or worn lenses at a reasonable cost.
Reglazing allows you to keep your original frames while fitting them with new lenses. It’s perfect if your glasses are still structurally sound and comfortable to wear. Instead of parting ways with a cherished pair due to surface damage, a reglaze offers them new life, clear vision, no scratches, and a clean finish.
Prescription Updates
Many people's vision changes gradually, and even slight tweaks can significantly improve clarity and eye comfort. Opticians usually recommend a thorough eye test every two years, or sooner if you notice any changes in your vision. If your prescription has changed slightly but your current frames still feel good, reglazing is typically the simplest and most cost-effective option.
There’s no need to sacrifice comfort or style for accuracy. Reglazing your glasses with an updated prescription keeps your vision sharp without buying a new frame. However, if your current frame is damaged, outdated, or uncomfortable, a full replacement might be a better alternative.
Lens Coating Replacement or Addition
If you're using lens coatings to improve functionality or restore clarity, reglazing makes it easy to enjoy the latest technology.
Your lenses' protective coatings, such as anti-reflective or scratch-resistant finishes, can degrade with time. You may notice more glare during night driving, or that your lenses have become more difficult to clean. In these cases, reglazing is an excellent option, as it allows you to benefit from updated coatings without buying a whole new pair.
You can also apply additional lens coatings during reglazing. Blue light protection is particularly popular, especially for those who spend long hours in front of screens. Anti-smudge coatings and UV protection are particularly important for everyday comfort and eye health.
Wanting to Keep Frames
Why switch up your glasses if you've already found the ideal pair? Comfort, style, or sentimental value are some of the reasons why people become connected to their frames. When lenses need replacing, reglazing is the best option to preserve your trusted frames while updating the lenses inside them.
Reglazing ensures that you maintain the fit and feel you've grown to enjoy. Instead of spending time looking for a similar replacement, you can keep what works and simply update the part that needs attention. It's the practical solution for anyone looking to get the most out of a high-quality frame.
Can All Frames Be Reglazed?
Most can. Metal frames and the vast majority of plastic frames can be reglazed without any trouble. The exceptions are frames in fragile condition, unusual or highly curved lens shapes, wooden frames, and some delicate rimless designs where the mounting points have weakened over time. If your frames are structurally sound, they're almost certainly a candidate. If you're not sure, get in touch before ordering, and we'll tell you straight.
Fashion Update/Upgrade
Sometimes a new appearance is all you need to consider replacing your glasses. If your style has changed or you're simply looking for something new, replacing your frames is a great way to express that. At Glasses2You, we offer a wide selection of affordable, stylish frames starting from just £19.95, so upgrading your eyewear does not have to break the bank.
That said, fashion-forward changes don’t always require new frames. Reglazing can also give your glasses a new dimension, especially if you're switching to photochromic lenses, adding mirror finishes, or changing your tint. We’re here to help you refresh your look on your terms. And reglazing isn't only for prescription wearers: if you love a frame but don't need correction, we can fit clear non-prescription lenses, with or without blue light filtering.
Owning A Second Pair
Upgrading your style does not mean you have to ditch your old pair. Many people like to keep their previous glasses as a backup, which is ideal for travel, emergencies, or simply changing things up now and again.
Saving Time
When time is of the essence, reglazing is a practical solution. If your existing frames fit perfectly but your prescription has changed, or your lenses are damaged, simply send them to us for reglazing; no appointments or frame selection are required.
This simple process means you can post your glasses to us and receive them back with brand-new lenses in 7 to 10 days. You can keep your vision sharp without disrupting your routine.
Sunglasses
Prescription Sunglasses
If your prescription has changed, a prescription reglaze for your sunglasses can save you both time and money. You may also be battling with faded tint or want to convert to polarised lenses for enhanced sun protection, but there's no need to replace your favourite frames.
Reglazing your sunglasses allows you to update the lenses while maintaining your preferred look.
Non-prescription Sunglasses
For non-prescription sunglasses, replacement is usually the more straightforward option. If you're looking to change the tint, colour, or frame design altogether, purchasing a new pair makes sense.
However, if you have high-end frames or a specific designer look you want to keep, reglazing with updated lenses is still an option worth looking into.
Cutting Costs
One of the biggest benefits of reglazing is its affordability. At Glasses2You, our reglazing services start from just £34.95 for fully-rimmed frames, £49.95 for semi-rimmed, and £54.95 for rimless designs. That’s a fraction of what you’d typically pay on the high street. Our full replacement glasses, starting from just £19.95 for new frames, are also priced well below most high street alternatives.
Whether you’re choosing reglazing or replacement, you can trust that you're getting excellent value with Glasses2You. And, because we provide complete pricing transparency, you can easily weigh up your options and select the most cost-effective one.
Environmental Damage
Sustainability is becoming more essential in everyday decisions, including how we care for our glasses. Discarding a perfectly good frame simply because the lenses are scratched or your prescription has changed adds unnecessary waste to landfills. By choosing a glasses reglaze, you’re helping reduce the environmental impact of your eyewear.
Reglazing allows you to reuse your current frames, keeping them in circulation for longer and cutting down on the resources needed to produce new ones. It’s a small but meaningful way to lower your carbon footprint.
Final Thoughts
In many circumstances, reglazing is a more cost-effective alternative to complete replacement. It keeps perfectly good frames in use while providing you with crystal-clear lenses, updated coatings, and custom features. At Glasses2You, we believe in helping you get the most out of your eyewear.
Whether you're looking to improve your appearance, renew your prescription, or simply save on high street costs, our expert team is here to guide you. Explore our affordable reglazing services or browse our latest frames to find the best option for you, because clear vision should never come at a premium.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should you replace your glasses?
There's no fixed lifespan. The trigger points are a changed prescription, lens damage that affects your vision, or frames that no longer fit comfortably. Since opticians recommend an eye test every two years, that's a natural point to reassess, but if your prescription is stable and your glasses are in good shape, there's no need to change them at all.
Is it worth reglazing glasses instead of buying new ones?
Usually, yes, provided your frames are structurally sound and comfortable. Reglazing costs a fraction of a new pair from the high street and keeps a frame you already know fits. It stops being worth it when the frame itself is damaged, worn at the hinges, or one of the few types that can't be reglazed.
Can scratched lenses be repaired?
No. Despite what home-remedy guides suggest, scratches can't be safely polished out of modern coated lenses, and attempting it usually makes the optics worse. The fix is replacement, which is exactly what reglazing does: new lenses in your existing frames, with a fresh scratch-resistant coating.
Do I need a new eye test before reglazing?
Not necessarily. If your prescription is under two years old and your vision hasn't changed, you can reglaze using your existing prescription. If it's older than that, or you've noticed any change, get a fresh test first so your new lenses are made to the right numbers.
When is replacing better than reglazing?
When the frame is the problem: cracked, bent, loose at the hinges, or simply uncomfortable. It's also the better route if you want a different style, or if your frames are one of the types that can't take new lenses, such as wooden or high-curve sports frames.
Prices correct as of August 2026
