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Accidents happen. A hinge snaps, a nose pad goes missing, a lens pops loose at the worst possible moment. At Hiemstra Optical, we know that your glasses aren’t just a medical device — they’re the first thing you reach for every morning. A broken frame shouldn’t mean a broken day.
Our on-site repair lab is staffed by experienced opticians who treat your eyewear with the same precision and care we bring to everything else. Whether it’s a quick adjustment between patients or a full-scale frame restoration, we work to get you seeing clearly again — often the same day.
What We Repair
From minor tweaks to more involved restorations, here’s what our repair lab handles on a regular basis:
Quick Fixes & Adjustments
These are the everyday repairs we see most often — usually handled while you wait:
- Nose pad replacement: Worn, yellowed, or missing nose pads can cause slipping and skin irritation. We stock a wide range of replacement styles and materials.
- Temple cover replacement: The plastic or rubber tips on your frame arms take a lot of wear. We can swap these out quickly to restore comfort and grip.
- Screw replacement & tightening: That tiny hinge screw that always seems to disappear — we keep them in stock and can replace or re-tighten loose hardware in minutes.
- Frame adjustments for fit: Frames that sit crooked, slide down your nose, or pinch behind the ears are a daily frustration. A proper adjustment makes an immediate difference in both comfort and visual clarity.
- Rimless lens remounting: Rimless and semi-rimless frames can loosen over time, allowing lenses to shift or fall out. We carefully reseat and secure lenses to restore proper alignment.
- General cleaning & polishing: Beyond repairs, we offer a professional cleaning that removes built-up oils, debris, and lens coating residue — often making older frames look and feel new again.
- Precision soldering: Broken metal frames – snapped hinges, separated bridges, cracked temples – can often be professionally soldered and restored to full function. This is skilled work, and we do it right.
- Full frame replacement: When a frame is damaged beyond repair but the lenses are still in perfect condition, we can source a replacement frame and remount your existing lenses. This is often significantly less expensive than starting from scratch.
Why Repair? The Case for Restoring What You Love
It’s tempting to assume a broken pair of glasses means it’s time for a new pair. Sometimes that’s true. But often, a well-executed repair is the smarter move — for your wallet, your timeline, and yes, the planet.
Cost
A professional repair is almost always a fraction of the cost of new frames. And if your prescription hasn’t changed, repairing your current frames means you don’t need new lenses either. We’ll always give you an honest assessment of whether repair or replacement makes more financial sense for your specific situation.
Sentimental Value
Some frames can’t just be replaced. Whether they’re a vintage pair you’ve had for twenty years, a gift from someone you love, or simply a style that’s no longer in production, we understand that the emotional value of eyewear is real — and worth protecting.
Fit
If you’ve had your current frames properly adjusted, you know how much a perfect fit matters. Starting with a new pair means starting that fitting process over again. Repairing frames that already fit well is often the most comfortable outcome.
Sustainability
Eyewear manufacturing has a meaningful environmental footprint. Extending the life of your existing frames — even by a year or two — is a small but real way to reduce your impact. It’s the kind of thing that just makes sense.
How the Repair Process Works
Bringing in a pair of broken glasses doesn’t need to feel like a big production. Here’s what to expect when you visit one of our locations:
- Walk in anytime: No appointment is needed for most repairs. Just bring your glasses to the front desk at any Hiemstra Optical location.
- Free assessment: An optician will examine the damage and give you a clear, honest estimate of what the repair involves, how long it will take, and what it will cost — before any work begins.
- Same-day service when possible: Many minor repairs — adjustments, nose pad and screw replacements, rimless remounting — can be completed while you wait or within a few hours.
- Lab work for more complex jobs: Soldering, hinge work, and frame sourcing may take longer depending on the complexity and whether parts need to be ordered. We’ll give you a realistic timeline upfront.
- Notification when ready: If you’re dropping frames off for a longer repair, we’ll contact you when they’re ready for pickup. We treat your glasses as carefully as our own.
We’ll Repair Glasses We Didn’t Sell You
Bring in any pair of eyeglasses for repair — not just frames purchased at Hiemstra Optical. Whether they’re from another optical shop, an online retailer, or a pair you’ve had for a decade, our technicians will evaluate them and give you an honest assessment.
The one caveat: some frames — particularly very low-cost online purchases — may not be constructed in a way that allows for repair. Very thin plastic, fused (non-replaceable) components, or proprietary hardware can limit what’s possible. We’ll always tell you this upfront, honestly, before you spend a cent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an appointment for a repair?
Not for most repairs. Walk-ins are welcome at all five Hiemstra Optical locations. For more complex restoration work, calling ahead can help us make sure the right technician and any necessary parts are available.
How much does eyeglass repair cost?
It depends heavily on the type of repair. Simple adjustments and screw replacements are often low-cost or complimentary. Nose pad replacements, rimless remounting, and frame adjustments are typically modest. Soldering and frame sourcing involve more labor and materials. We’ll always give you an estimate before we begin — no surprises.
How long will my repair take?
Many minor repairs are done while you wait — sometimes in under 10 minutes. More involved work like soldering or frame sourcing may take a day or two, or longer if specialty parts need to be ordered. We’ll set accurate expectations at the time of your assessment.
Can you fix broken lenses?
Cracked or shattered lenses generally cannot be repaired — a replacement lens is the appropriate solution in those cases. If your frames are fine but your lenses are damaged, we can help you replace the lenses and keep your existing frame. If your prescription is on file, this process is fast and straightforward.
My frames snapped in half. Is it worth bringing them in?
In many cases, yes — especially for metal frames, which can often be soldered back together with impressive durability. Plastic frames that have snapped cleanly may also be candidates for repair depending on the break point and frame construction. Bring them in for a free look; we’ll tell you honestly whether it’s worth pursuing.
Can you repair designer or luxury frames?
Yes, and we take particular care with high-value eyewear. Luxury frames often use quality materials and construction that actually lend themselves well to repair. We’re comfortable working with designer eyewear and will treat your frames accordingly.
What if my frames can’t be repaired?
If a repair isn’t possible or doesn’t make financial sense, we’ll tell you — and we can help you find a replacement frame that fits your lenses, your style, and your budget. Our goal is always the right outcome for you, not just a repair for repair’s sake.
Can you adjust glasses I bought online?
Yes. We adjust frames regardless of where they were purchased. Glasses bought online frequently arrive without any fitting, and a proper adjustment — to your face, your ears, the bridge of your nose — makes a dramatic difference in both comfort and optical clarity. This is one of the most common services we provide for online-purchase customers.
I have an old pair of frames I love but they’re discontinued. Can you help?
Possibly. Our team has experience sourcing discontinued frames through manufacturer networks, optical wholesalers, and secondary markets. It’s not always possible, but it’s worth asking — especially if the frames are a meaningful pair. Bring them in and let us take a look.