If you’re constantly pushing your glasses back up your nose, you’re not alone!
Dealing with slipping eyeglasses is an annoying, distracting, and even unsafe experience that can impact anybody who wears glasses… but don’t worry. There are tons of simple solutions to keep your frames snug, comfortable, and in place.
In this blog, we’ll cover everything you need to know about why eyeglasses slip, what you can do to fix it, and accessories you might consider to prevent it from happening again.
Let’s go!
Causes of Slipping Eyeglasses and How to Prevent It
1. Ill-Fitting Frames
The most common reason glasses slip is improper sizing; if the temples (the arms of your glasses) or nose pads don’t fit well, your glasses won’t stay in place! This makes choosing the right frame size crucial. Start by finding your millimeter (mm) measurements, using those numbers to pick frames with mm measurements matching your own.
Prevention Tip
● Measure your face width and compare it with the frame’s specifications before buying.
● Opt for adjustable nose pads, especially if you have a low or narrow nose bridge.
2. Oily Skin and Sweat
Another common reason eyeglasses slip is because the wearer’s skin is oily or sweaty. Both natural skin oils and excess sweat can make your glasses slide down, especially during the water months or physical activity/exercise. Keeping your glasses clean – and your skin dry! – can help prevent slipping eyeglasses for this reason.
Prevention Tip
● Regularly clean your nose pads and temple tips with mild soap and water.
● Use an anti-slip product like grip-enhancing spray or adhesive pads for extra security.
3. Worn-Out Components
The third most common reason for slipping eyeglasses is worn-out components. Over time, different components like screws and nose pads can wear down or loosen, making them less effective at gripping your skin and staying in place. Regular eyeglasses maintenance is the best way to stay on top of wear and tear.
Prevention Tip
● Check your glasses monthly for loose screws or parts and tighten them as needed.
● Replace worn-out nose pads or temple tips as soon as you realize they’re worn out.
Adjusting the Fit: DIY Fixes vs. Professional Help
If your glasses don’t fit well, there are ways to adjust them for a better grip, both at home and in a professional setting.
DIY Adjustments
You can easily make minor tweaks and adjustments at home using simple tools and a little bit of patience. DIY adjustments you might want to learn how to do include:
● Tightening the hinge screws with a small eyeglass screwdriver
● Bending the temple tips (gently!) to improve the grip behind your ears
● Adjusting the nose pads by gently pushing them with your fingers
Professional Adjustments
For anything beyond a simple screw tightening or nose pad adjustment, you’ll want to
adjustments or delicate frames, visit your optician. Professionals use specialized tools to ensure your glasses are reshaped without damage. They can also replace or upgrade parts, such as silicone nose pads for better comfort and grip.
Accessories That Help Keep Glasses in Place
If DIY or professional adjustments still aren’t keeping your eyeglasses in place, there are several accessories you can try that are designed to solve the issue. Here are a few popular options for anti-slip eyeglass accessories.
Anti-Slip Nose Pads
Adhesive silicone pads stick to your glasses’ nose bridge and provide extra grip to keep them in place. These are a great option for people with low bridges or flat noses.
Ear Hooks
Ear hooks attach to the temples of your glasses and loop around the back of your ears, keeping your eyeglasses in place. They’re especially useful during exercise!
Eyeglass Straps
Eyeglass straps (or cords) attach to the arms of your glasses, looping around your neck to keep your glasses firmly in place. They’re a top choice for outside activities.
Grip Enhancers
Grip enhances like rubber sleeves or silicone temple covers can reduce the amount that your eyeglasses slide. They’re easy-to-use and incredibly affordable, too.
Maintenance Tips to Keep Your Eyeglasses From Slipping
While you can always get your glasses adjusted or try an anti-slip accessory or two, one of the best ways to prevent your glasses from sliding is proper care and maintenance. After all, if your glasses are never loose or worn-out, then they’ll always fit as-intended!
Here are a few tips for maintaining your glasses (and reducing slipping as a result).
Keep Your Glasses Clean
Over time, dirt and oil can build up on your glasses over time, especially on the nose pads and temple tips. This buildup can make the different parts of your glasses slippery, causing them to slide down more than usual.
The best way to prevent this is cleaning your glasses thoroughly and regularly.
Store Them Properly
Improperly storing your glasses can speed up the impact of wear and tear, causing issues like bent arms or loosened frames. And, when your eyeglasses have bent arms or loosened screws, that’s when they’ll start to slip down your face.
The best way to prevent this is by storing your glasses in hard case when not in use.
Schedule Regular Check-Ups
Regularly visiting your optometrist (or ophthalmologist) is key to keeping your eyes healthy, but it’s a great chance to get your glasses adjusted, too. Supplementing your at-home maintenance with occasional professional adjustments is key.
The best way to accomplish this is scheduling regular appointments and adjustments.
Avoid Excessive Wear and Tear
If you wear your glasses everyday, wear and tear is inevitable. However, there are ways to lessen the damage of everyday wear and tear by avoiding things that are known to excessively damage eyeglasses (and sunglasses).
The best way to prevent this is by removing glasses with both hands and not wearing them on top of your head.
Wrap Up
Slipping eyeglasses are a daily frustration for many people, but they don’t have to be!
By understanding the causes of slipping eyeglasses, making adjustments in how you handle and maintain your eyeglasses, and investing in the right accessories, you can keep your glasses secure, comfortable, and in good shape.
