What is a Glasses Screw?

Publish time: 13 Jul 23

A Glasses screw is a small but vital component of a glasses frame that contributes to stability, mobility and comfort. The screw is responsible for joining the hinge of a glasses temple with the frame front and also holding the nose pads in place to accommodate different facial shapes. They are available in a variety of shapes and sizes. Luckily, if you loosen or lose one of these screws, you can easily get a replacement from your optician.

A metal screw that is either riveted, welded or soldered into a glasses frame. These are typically used for larger frames or frames with thicker lenses and can be found at the top of the bridge, at the centre of the lenses or at the end of the temples. These are more durable than other types of hinges and provide a stronger connection to the frame.

The hinges on a glasses frame are the metal joints that allow you to open and close your temples. The hinges connect the frame front with each of the temples and come in a variety of styles. Standard hinges are the most common and feature interlocking barrels which are riveted together. The more barrels a hinge has, the more stable it is. The current industry standard is three barrels per hinge, although some higher quality frames may have more.

Windsor hinges are a popular alternative to standard hinges. They are made from a tubular acetate sheath which envelopes a thin metal wire core. This allows for a variety of colour and pattern choices and is often combined with metal temple tips. These are generally the most comfortable type of glasses hinge to wear but do require more regular maintenance as they can rust.

Spring hinges, or flex hinges are an excellent addition to any glasses frame. They allow the arms to flex outwards which makes the frame more comfortable for wearing and helps the glasses fit better on your head. However, they do make the glasses more difficult to repair and are often the first part of a frame to break.

The most common type of screw in a glasses frame is the dowel screw. This is the most commonly seen screw in a frame and can be recognised by the straight slot in the top of the screw head. Cross head screws, which have a cross shaped slot in the top of the screw head are less common but can be found on some glasses frames.