Nose Pad and Eyeglass Nose Pads Shopping Resource for Glasses, Sunglasses, and Eyewear - Glasses Replacement Nosepads and Optical Supply Nosepad and Nose Piece Repair Parts

HOW TO REMOVE AND INSERT NOSE PADS FROM EYE GLASSES

The following tutorial covering eyewear nose pads removal and nose pad insertion techniques is addressed to practicing optical professionals. As with any eyewear repair and maintenance procedures, this HOW TO is of a general nature and may not be applicable to all situations. The possibility of eyeglass damage or alteration of resultant eye glass optics is always a possibility, and the use of these techniques is at your own risk.

When working with eye glasses and glasses nose pads, it is always a good idea to first remove wrist and hand jewelry so as to reduce the chance of scratching the eyeglass lenses.

Now let's begin!

Removing and Inserting Screw-On and Screw-In Nose Pads

By far the most widely used nose pads are those that mount to an eye glasses frame by means of a screw-in, also referred to as a screw-on, type of nose pad arm mount. Such nose pad mounts use a small optical screw to secure a nose pad to the nose pad mount, which in turn is attached to the eyewear frame.

The removal of screw-in nose pads from a nose pad mount requires the use of a small thin headed optical screwdriver, or jeweler's screwdriver. To remove a screw-in nose pad, simply place the head of the screwdriver in the slot at the top of the nose pad screw and turn the screw counter clockwise until the nose pad dislodges from the nose pad mount.

To insert or install a screw-in nose pad into a nose pad arm mount, simply position the nose pad into the nose pad mounting receptacle and then screw the nose pad screw into the nose pad mount, through the nosepad mounting hole, and through the other end of the nose pad mount.

Care must be taken to insure that if the screwdriver slips out of the slot at the top of the nose pad screw that the head of the screwdriver does not scratch an eyeglass lens. Some opticians place a soft non-abrasive thick cloth or other non-abrasive material over each lens to help avoid scratching the lenses if the screwdriver does slip and makes contact with a lens.

Also, please note that if the nose pad mount arm is fragile or flexible, a needle nose pliers should be employed to hold the nose pad mounting arm in place while the nose pad is either inserted or removed from the nose pad mount. This procedure helps reduce the occurrence of the nose pad mounting arm either breaking off of the glasses frame or changing its three dimensional orientation.

NOSE PAD SIZES

Nose pads are measured using the metric system in millimeters. Nose pads are usually measured lengthwise from end-to-end; although some exceptions such as when measuring strap bridge nose pads and unifit softwing nose pads do exist.

Strap bridge nose pads are often, but not always, measured from one nosepad center to the other nose pad center while the strap is in a flat form. Softwing, soft-wing, unifit, or uni-fit nose pads are often measured according to their bridge size, ie., length across the nose.

Examples of standard nose pad sizes include 9mm and 11mm.

When ordering replacement nose pads, it is always best to use a millimeter ruler to measure the size of your existing nose pads since nosepads with even a 1 millimeter difference can cause a nosepad to not fit properly in an eyeglass frame. This may result in problems such as the wearer having pressure indentations on their nose due to uneven eyeglass weight distribution patterns, or the optics of the eyeglasses adversely changing.

Eyeglass manufacturers often design a pair of glasses to accommodate a particular size of nose pad. As the surface area of a nose pad is proportional to the size of the nose pad, larger nose pads provide a greater weight distribution over the nasal area of a glasses wearer which diminishes the weight of the eye glasses over any particular area. Optimally, the entire nose pad surface should be in contact with the underlying skin of the glasses wearer; otherwise, the nose pads may cause uncomfortable indentations on the skin.

As noted above, replacement nose pads of a different size than the original supplied nose pads may adversely change the vision properties of the glasses. For example, replacement nose pads that are too big or too small may result in glassses that are positioned too high or too low on the wearer's face. For bifocal, trifocal, multifocal progressive, as well as single vison lens wearers, an incorrect vertical eyeglass frame height can render vision quality useless.

An inappropriate nose pad size may also cause the spectacle frame to be positioned too close or too far from the wearer's face, which also may adversely affect the intended vision correction of the glasses. Such changes in vertex distance, that is the distance from the lens to the surface of the eye, can cause significant changes in vision quality.

NOSE PAD MATERIALS

Replacement nose pads for eyeglasses are available in many different materials. Silicone, Vinyl, PVC (polyvinyl chloride), and PC(polycarbonate) are the most common materials. Less common materials such as ceramic, glass, and titanium are also available.

Flexible or Rigid Nose Pads?: Flexible, or flex nose pads are pliable and bend or otherwise conform to various degrees to the nasal contours of the eyeglass wearer. Soft silicone nose pads have the highest conforming ability whereas titanium nosepads are considered completely rigid offering no conforming ability. Rigid nose pad materials such as titanium, ceramic, and glass require exacting adjustment so that their orientation matches the contours of the eyeglass wearer's skin.

The nose pad material that comes into contact with the wearer's skin is generally considered the nose pad material name that the nose pad is composed of, although another material or materials may be present in the nose pad. An illustration of this is the common case where a silicone nose pad or vinyl nosepad contains a metal base or mounting post where the nose-pad is attached to the nose pad mount. Another illustration is when a nose pad consists of secondary firm materials underlying a softer shell such as silicone. This configuration provides additional support for the overlying silicon nose-pad material.

Replacement nose pads of a different thickness than the original supplied nose pads may adversely change the vision properties of the glasses. Nose pads that are thicker or thinner than those originally supplied with the glasses may push the eyewear upwards or downwards which may adversely affect the optics of the glasses and the associated vision correction afforded by the eyeglasses.

Following are the main materials comprising the outer shell of most nose pads sold by nose pad suppliers and nosepad manufacturers:

Silicone:   Silicone nose pads generally provide the softest feeling material to most glasses wearers. Silicone nose pads provide a high degree of conformity of the nosepad surface on the wearer's skin, thus providing excellent weight distribution of the eyeglass frame on the underlying nasal area of the wearer.

Some silicon nose pad manufacturers, suppliers, and sellers do not specify whether their nose pads are only comprised of silicone or whether a silicon shell covers other material; therefore, it is always prudent to inquire as to the specific materials and configuration of each nose pad. For in-depth information on silicone nose pads, please visit www.SiliconeNosePads.Org.

Non-Slip Nose Pad Material: The terms "non-slip nose pads" or "non-slip silicone nose pads" implies that the nose pads don't move along the nose; however, in real life they often do! Nose pads alone do not determine the degree to which eyeglasses may or may not slip on the eyeglass wearer's nose. The overall secure fit of a wearer's glasses is largely determined by how secure the eyeglass temple portion behind the ear matches the contour of the ear. In sunglasses, the front and side contour of the eyewear frame and how they hug the face also plays a significant role.

Hypoallergenic Nose Pad Materials: Just as some eyeglass wearers are allergic to the materials used in the manufacturer of some eyeglass frames (such as certain metals or the chemicals used in the manufacturer of plastic glasses frames), some people are also allergic to various replacement nose pad materials.   Although silicone nose pads, ceramic nose pads, glass nose pads, and titanium nose pads are often regarded as hypo-allergenic, some people seem to have adverse reactions to these nose pad materials as well. Eyeglass wearers who are sensitive to contact with certain materials should seek advice from a medical professional as to the optimum nose pad materials to be employed. As most nose pads are available in a variety of diverse materials, a nose pad comprised of an acceptable material can then be obtained.

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC): PVC nose pads are of a firmer consistency than silicone nose pads and often are more resistant to degradation by facial chemicals and general wear than silicone nose pads. PVC nose pads have been in the marketplace for many years and are commonly found on most types of eyewear. Nose pads for sunglasses are often fabricated in PVC.

Polycarbonate (PC): Due to their porous resistant properties, polycarbonate (PC) nose pads are highly resistant to degradation due to facial chemicals. Polycarbonate nose pads are also very light weight and strong and are usually found in ultra thin nose pads found in lightweight designer eyeglass frames.

Additional Nose Pad Materials: Nose pads are manufactured with a large array of diverse materials including rubber, plastic, acetate, titanium, glass, crystal, ceramic, and vinyl.

Exotic Nose Pad Materials and Technologies: Recently, glasses nose pads that ultra conform to the nasal area of the eyeglass wearer have been reported in the optical trade. Shape Memory Polymer material is used in the construction of such nose pads that become more pliable and conformable upon being subjected to the wearer's skin temperature. This attribute sometimes eliminates the need to finely adjust the nose pad arms which control the angles in which the nose pad makes contact with the underlying soft nasal tissue.

Air Active, Biofeel (Bio-feel), Air Filled, Gel Filled Nose Pads: Combinations of different materials in the manufacture of nose pads is common today.   Examples are nose pads comprised of a capsule outer shell material which encapsulates a gel, liquid, or air bubble inner core. Such nose pads provide unique cushioning properties. Air-Active air filled nose pads, and "Biofeel" gel filled nose pads are examples of this technology.

Nose Pad Colors: Titanium nose pads and other metal replacement nose pads and nose pieces have been available for many years. The color of the metal corresponds to the color of the nose pad. Although non-metallic nose pads such as those comprised of silicone, PVC, polycarbonate, acetate, glass, and vinyl are usually available in clear, semi-clear, frosted (milky), crystal, and crystal clear colorations, some nose pad manufacturer, suppliers, and vendors market and sell nosepads in a variety of colors. Colored nose pads often complement the color of an eyeglass frame regardless if it is a plastic frame, metal frame, or combination frame. Black nose pads and pink nose pads are available as stick on nose pads, also referred to as adhesive nose pads. Stick-on nose pads usually have a foam or silicone covering on top of an adhesive material.

NOSE PAD MOUNTS

Nose pads are often attached to glasses by the use of various types of mounting mechanisms. One such mechanism involves the use of nose pad arm mounts whereby nose pads attach to the mount by various means such as the use of small optical screws, crimp-on mechanisms, sliding friction means, and snap-in or push-on means.

These nose pad mounts are in turn attached to the eyeglass frame by means of a thin wire-like structure or 'arm" that is often welded to the glasses frame. Due to the thin and sometimes fragile nature of the nose pad arm, care must always be exercised when inserting or removing nose pads, or adjusting the nose pads or nose pad mounting arms in order to ensure that the arms are not twisted off or otherwise damaged.

Different types of glasses nose pads require correspondingly different compatible types of nose pad arm mounts so that they both mate properly.

The main methods of mounting nose pads to eyeglass frames use screw-on ( screw-in ), push-on (push-in, snap-on, snap-in) , and slide-on ( slide-in ) nose pad mounting arm mechanisms.

Following are the most common types of nose pad mounting mechanisms that use nose pad arm mounts.

Nose Pad Arm Mounts

Screw-on: Screw-on or screw-in glasses nose pads are held in place on an eyeglass frame by use of an ultra-small optical screw. Screw-on nose pad arm mounts, also known as screw-in mounts, mate with eyeglass nose pads which contain a small tab protruding from the back of the nose pad and containing a hole. This hole enables the shaft of an eyeglasses screw to pass through hole on each side of the nose pad arm as well as through the hole located on the nose pad protruding tab.

The above described assembly enables the nose pad to mount securely whereby the nose pad is held in place. Often this close fit still allows the nose pad to swivel and rotate which enables the nose pad to self adjust itself to match the contours of the glasses wearer's face.

If available and to ensure compatibility, the same screws that came with the original nose pads should be used with the replacement nose pads.

If one of the nose pad screws is missing, use the existing metal screw to locate a replacement. As nose pad screws are very tiny, it is often hard to visually differentiate two screws that have a different threading or diameter. You may need to acquire a variety of different nose pad optical replacement screws or a "sample pack" from your nose pad vendor or eyeglasses part supplier or manufacturer.

A common small head jeweler's screwdriver may be used to work with nose pad screws. These are easy to find separately or as part of an eyeglass repair kit that often also contains a variety of nose pad screws. Specially marketed optical screwdrivers are often just standard jeweler's screwdrivers.

Push-On: Push-on, push-in, snap-on, or snap-in nose pad arm mounts mate with nose pads that have a small tab protruding from the back of the nose pad that is pushed into and secures into a receiving receptacle structure in the nose pad mount.

Slide-On: Slide-on or slide-in nose pad mounts mate with nose pads that have an elevated "T-shaped" extension that slides into a hairpin-like retaining structure in the nose pad arm mount.

Working with push-in and slide-in glasses nose pads does not always require the use of optical tools as a slight finger pressure may dislodge a nose pad from a glasses frame mount. Similarly, a slight finger pressure may secure the replacement nose pad into the nose pad mount. It should be noted; however, that there is an increased risk of breaking off a nose pad mouting arm if a needle nose or other similar pliers is not used to grip the nose pad arm mount while a nose pad is being inserted or removed from the nose pad mount.

Additional Glasses Nose Pad Mounting Methods

Logic Nose Pads: Logic nose pads, also referred to as dual-mount nose-pads, have a small protrusion that stems from the rear of the nose pad that enables the nose pad to mount to "either" a screw-on (screw-in) nose pad mount OR a push-on ( push-in, snap-in, snap-on ) nose pad mounting arm on the eyewear. The logic nose pad thus enables an optician to stock just one type of optical repair part for each nose pad size instead of two. This is in contrast to standard design nose pads that are able to mount to only one type of nose pad arm mounting.

Stick-On Nose Pads or Adhesive Nose pads: Stock-on adhesive based nose pads are nose pads that contain a thin adhesive layer on the rear side of the nose pad. These nose pads are attached to the bridge or nasal area of glasses by simply applying a light pressure to the nosepad. Stick on nose pads often provide favorable cushioning in the nasal area of the glasses wearer.

Eyewear that uses stick-on nose pads is sometimes preferred over traditional eyeglasses that use metal nose pad arm mounts since the adhesive based nose pads are easily replaced by the spectacle frame wearer without the use of optical tools. A disadvantage is that adhesive type nose pads are often easily damaged and often need frequent replacement. Additionally, nose pads that use an adhesive as the mounting method often become loose after repeated washing of the eyeglass frame.

Soft silicone adhesive nose pads and soft vinyl adhesive nosepads are common varieties of adhesive nose pad technology.

Most Common Mounts for Nose Pads: Screw-on, screw-in, push-on, push-in, slide-on, and slide-in mounts for nose pads account for the majority of nosepad mounting systems used by eyeglass manufacturers and sold by optical parts suppliers and manufacturers.

To a lesser extent, some eyewear manufacturers use custom nose pad mounts. These custom arm mounts employ unique structures in order to accommodate a particular spectacle design.

Less Common Mounts for Nose Pads: Available but less common mounts for glasses nose pads include: B and L crimp-on, BL crimp on, Zeiss Bayonet, square pin, clip-on, system 3, split pin, primadonna, and plug-in. Many popular eyeglasses and sunglasses such as Bolle, Oakely, and Ray Ban at times employ proprietary or otherwise custom nose pad mounting mechanisms.

NOSE PAD SHAPES

Regardless of whether eyeglass plastic frames, metal frames, or combination frames are marketed, eyeglass frame manufacturers incorporate diverse nose pad shapes into their eyewear designs to provide optimum wearer comfort and overall spectacle frame attractiveness.

The shape of replacement nose pads usually matches the shape of the nose pads that originally came with the eyeglasses. Using a different nose pad shape may adversely alter the visual properties of the glasses as a different shape may cause an eyeglass frame to sit or be oriented in a different position than the glasses or sunglasses originally were in.

Nose pads come in a diverse array of shapes ranging from button, tear drop, D-shape, oval, symmetric, softwing, strap-bridge, and many others! This section details the most common nose pad shapes.

Symmetric - Symmetrical Nose Pads

Symmetrical: Symmetric nose pads have the characteristic that when viewed from either the front-to-back or back-to-front, the nose pad shape is identical Another way to illustrate this is that symmetric eyeglass nose pads are nose pads where both the left and right side of a nose pad are identical mirror images of each other. A common example of a symmetrical nose pad is a round nosepad. Round nose pads are also referred to as button nose pads or mushroom nose pads.

Opticians and optical eyeglass repair shops generally prefer symmetrical nosepads over asymmetric nose pads such as the D-Shape nose pad since a left or right symmetrical nose pad is interchangeable with each other. Stocking an inventory of symmetrical nose pads thus results in a smaller inventory of optical accessories and parts since matching pairs or sets of left and right glasses nose pads are not needed.

Symmetrical nose pads are incorporated into most types of glasses and sunglasses as they generally provide good wearer comfort and consistent weight distribution in the nasal area.

Many varieties of nose pads including button and oval nose pads fall under the classification of symmetric nose pads. Typical symmetric nose pad sizes range from 9mm to 19mm, although smaller and larger sizes are also available.

Mushroom - Button - Round Nose Pads

Round: Round nose pads are also referred to in the optical trade as button nose pads or mushroom nose pads. Round nose pads are a subclass of the symmetric or symmetrical nose pads category since both right and left nose pads can be interchanged with each other.

Eyeglasses manufacturers often select button nose pads for their glasses and sunglasses designs because they are compact and provide additional room in the bridge area for the spectacle frame itself. Round nose pads for sunglasses are often found in lightweight eyeglass frame designs.

Typical sizes for round or button nose pads range from 9mm-13mm, although other sizes are also available.

D-Shape Nose Pad

D-Shaped: D-shape nose pads are used on most types of eyeglasses ranging from light plastic glasses, super light titanium designer eyeglasses, standard metal eyeglass styles, and a wide range of sunglasses.

D-shaped replacement eyeglass nose pads are similar in shape to the letter "D". As each nose pad of a left and right pair is the mirror image of each other, each nose pad of a pair is not a replacement of the other; therefore, opticians and eyeglasses repair stores that stock D-shape nose pads need to stock them in pairs. This is in contrast to symmetrical or symmetric glasses nose pads where a right nose pad is completely interchangeable with a left nose pad.

"D" shaped nose pads are popular and their shape affords excellent weight distribution of a pair of glasses on the eyeglass wearer's nasal area.

Typical d-shape nose pad sizes range from 9mm to 19mm, although other "D"-shape nose pad dimensions are also readily available.

Oval Nose Pads

Oval: A subclass of the symmetric or symmetrical nose pad category is the oval nose pad. Like other symmetric nose pads, compatibility between right and left nasal pads is inherent.

Oval nose pads provide good comfort and weight distribution of the glasses frame as the upper and lower portions of each nose pad reach into the extremities of the wearer's nasal area.

Most types of eyeglasses and sunglasses use oval nosepads to provide comfort to the optical frame wearer.

Typical sizes for oval nose pads are 9mm to 19mm, with additional nose pad sizes available.

Soft-wing Unifit Nose Pads

Soft-wing, Softwing, Unifit, Uni-fit, Saddle Bridge Nose Pads: The shape of a softwing nose pad resembles an upside down letter "U" whereby each side of the "U" conforms to each side of the eyeglass wearer's nose. Some versions of the unifit bridge enable the sides, arms, or "wings" of the bridge strap nose pad to be adjusted or flexed, while other versions are firmly molded allowing no adjustment or flexing at all.

Since the shape of the strap bridge nose pad conforms to the glasses wearer's nose on the sides as well as on the top nasal area, excellent continuous contact is provided between the unifit nose pad and the nasal area. This contact confers excellent weight distribution of the eyeglass spectacle frame over the nasal area resulting in maximum comfort to the eyeglass, sunglass, or reading glasses wearer. Saddle bridge nose pads are often referred to as strap bridge nose pads.

The silicone or vinyl material comprising the softwing nose pad is often molded over a firm inner core of various materials or metal. In the latter case, the metal "wings" are often bendable so that the bridge-strap nosepad may be adjusted and fine tuned to the contours of the glasses wearer's nasal area. Since the silicone or vinyl strap nose pads are often transparent or semi-transparent, the metal inner core is usually visible. As such, the metal inner core wings usually are manufactured of either a silver or gold color so that they may be purchased to match a particular optical frame or sunglass coloration.

Unifit bridges are similar to strap bridge nose pads in that they both afford significant contact between the nose pad and nasal area which results in an optimum weight distribution of the sunglass or glasses frame over the underlying nasal area of the eyeglasses wearer.

Softwing nose pads often mount to an eyeglass frame by either snapping into place on the frame or by attachment using one or more small recessed nose pad screws.

Typical soft-wing or unifit bridge sizes range from 11mm to 21mm, although many other sizes are also available.

Strap or Strap-Bridge Nose Pads

Strap, Strap Bridge, Bridge Strap Nose Pads: Bridge strap, strap-bridge, or strap nose pads are flat pliable strips of material with a left and right nose pad imbedded into each end of the strap. The strap bridge is bent to conform to the shape of both the eyeglass bridge and the wearer's nasal area whereby the strap bridge makes complete contact with the wearer's nose.

Strap-bridge nose pads contrast to standard nose pads in that standard nose pad pairs simply make contact only with the left and right side of the eyeglass wearer's nose, and not the topmost nasal area. The increased points of contact that the strap-bridge provides results in greater weight distribution of the eyeglass frame on the wearer's face and a higher comfort level than that can be afforded by the use of standard individual nose pads. In this manner, strap-bridge nose pads closely resemble unifit, uni-fit, softwing, or soft-wing nose pads. The primary difference is that the unifit or softwing nose pads are provided in an essentially pre-molded and pre-formed configuration providing only limited movement of the softwing arms or pads.

The pliable material used in the construction of bridge-strap nose pads is usually soft silicone or soft vinyl.

Soft silicone strap bridge nose pads and vinyl strap-bridge nose pads are commonly used by eyeglasses repair companies and sold by eyeglass repair parts suppliers and manufacturers.

Typical bridge-strap nose pad sizes range from 12mm to 36mm, although additional sizes are also available.

Additional Nose Pad Shapes!

There is a myriad of additional nosepad shapes that compliment particular eyeglass frame designs including bohemian, rectangle, primadonna, wave, and teardrop.

EYEGLASS OPTICAL ADJUSTMENT, ALIGNMENT REPAIR TOOLS

Opticians who perform bulk eyewear repairs, aligning, and adjustments often use optical tools such as nose pad poppers, nose pad adjustment and alignment pliers, optical needle nose pliers, and optical jeweler's screwdrivers. These optical adjustment tools often aid in performing efficient nose pad insertion, removal, and alignment.

Nose Pad Popper Tool

Eyeglass repair personnel and opticians routinely use a Nose Pad Popper Tool to remove push-in, push-on, snap-on, or snap-in nose pads from nose pad arm mounts. The mounts for nose pads are commonly found on all types of eyewear ranging from inexpensive readers to expensive designer frames and sunwear.

The Nosepad Popper tool is a fork-like device whereby the sides of the fork are positioned between the base of a push-on type nose pad and the associated nosepad mount. A slight prying pressure simply releases the nose pad from the nose pad arm mount mating end. While using the nose pad popper, sometimes a needle-nose pliers needs to simultaneously grip and hold stationary the nose pad mount arm so that it does not break off from the eyeglass frame while the popper tool is applying the necessary pressure.

As discussed in the Optical Screwdriver section of this NosePad.com website, jeweler's screwdrivers are often used to remove push-in type nose pads; however, they have a higher incidence of scratching the eyeglass lenses than the use of the nose pad popper optical tool.

Optical Screwdriver

In order to insert or remove screw-on or screw-in nose pads in an eyeglasses frame, an optical screwdriver is needed. An optical screwdriver is simply a screwdriver with a small head. Such screwdrivers are often referred to as a jeweler's screwdriver and are quite common and inexpensive. As optical repair tools go, opticians, ophthalmic technicians, and eyeglasses repair shops and stores couldn't operate without this basic repair tool!

Optical adjustment screwdrivers may also be used to remove push-on, push-in, snap-in, or snap-on nose pads. In the case of removing push-on type eyeglass nose pads, an optician places the thin screwdriver head between the back of the nose pad and the nose pad mount. A slight upward pressure is applied to the base of the nose pad which causes the nose pad to pry away from the nose pad arm mount until the nose pad is completely dislodged. In this manner, the screwdriver acts as a lever mechanism.

It should be noted that prying a push-on type of nose pad off of a nose pad mount using a screwdriver is a bit risky as the screwdriver may slip and scratch a glasses lens. The preferred method, and less risky, is to use a Nose Pad Popper tool which is described in this website. Nose Pad Popper tools are readily availably from eyeglass repair stores, nose pad suppliers, optical part manufacturers and suppliers.

When opticians work with the insertion or removal of eyeglasses or sunglasses nose pads, they usually protect the lenses with a covering to help reduce the chance of scratching the eyeglass lenses.

Inexpensive optical screwdrivers are often sold in combination with an assortment of nose pad screws. Such eyeglass repair kits often also include eyeglass temple screws along with a small magnifying glass which may be used as a visual aid by enlarging the nose pad mounting area.

Needle Nose Optical Adjusting Pliers

Most nose pads are attached to an eyeglass frame by use of nose pad mounts. Nose pads are attached to nosepad mounts by various mechanisms such as those that use tiny metal optical screws. Each nose pad mount is attached to the eyeglass frame by means of a strong thin wire-like bendable post or "mounting arm". Ophthalmic technicians, eyeglasses dispensers, and eyewear repair personnel may adjust the position of each nose pad by altering the orientation of each mounting arm with a needle nose pliers tool.

When a new pair of glasses is purchased, an optician or ophthalmic dispenser often adjusts or aligns each nose pad so that their position conforms to the contour of the underlying nasal area of the spectacle wearer. In optical jargon, the needle nose pliers enables the optical dispenser to control the splay angle or alignment of each nose pad in relation to the wearer's face. One of the most common tools that opticians and optical technicians use is the basic needle nose aligning pliers. This pliers tool is called "needle nose" because the two arms of the pliers converge at a point which somewhat resembles a needle.

If each nosepad is not independently adjusted, the nose pads may leave painful indentations in the nasal area due to the exertion of uneven weight pressure from the pair of glasses or sunglasses. Unfortunately, sometimes, the spectacle frame wearer needs to return to a vision shop or eye doctor's eyeglass sales department to refine a previous nosepad adjustment until suitable fine-tuning is achieved.

Nose Pad Adjustment Pliers

Nose pad adjustment pliers, commonly called nose pad alignment pliers, resemble the needle nose pliers detailed in the Needle-Nose pliers section of this NosePad.com website. The difference is that instead of the pliers' ends coming to a narrow point, the ends of nose pad adjustment pliers form a gripping mechanism that holds simultaneously both the nose pad and associated nose pad arm mount so that the optician may move and adjust both at the same time.

Nose pad alignment and adjusting plier tools are available in many different configurations to accommodate different nose pad and associated nose pad mounting arm combinations.

EYEGLASSES REPAIR PARTS AND ACCESSORIES

Eyeglasses Nose Pad Screws

Nose Pad Screws: To eliminate compatibility issues, the use of the nose pad screws that originally came with the nose pads of a pair of glasses is used with the replacement nose pads. If new screws are purchased from a replacement optical parts store, manufacturer, or supplier, care must be taken to obtain replacement screws with the correct threading, diameter, and length since screw-on or screw-in nose pad mounts are specific to just one type of screw.

As most eyeglass wearers aren't able to specify the diameter, threading, and length of replacement nose pad screws, if the original nose pad screws are unavailable, your best route may be to obtain a sample pack of nose pad screws from the vendor where you place your replacement nose pad order.

A new type of eyeglass repair part screw that is now available is called the Snap-It or snap-off screw. Use of these snap-it screws enables a tiny nose pad screw to easily be inserted through an ultra small nose pad mounting hole and associated nose pad mount without the need for additional optical adjustment or repair tools such as magnetized tweezers.

The snap-it screws resemble a standard looking miniature optical screw except for the addition of a thin non-threaded bare post that extends from the terminal end of the screw. The extended narrow post is easily inserted into both the nose pad mount and through the nose pad mounting hole whereby the screw is then tightened with a narrow head optical screwdriver. A slight hand pressure then snaps off the protruding post extension.

Snap-it screws are normally obtained from eyeglass optical parts stores, suppliers, and manufacturers. Snap-it optical screws are more expensive than standard small metal screws, but are generally worth the expense!

Sometimes eyeglass repair part stores or vendors will sell a small head optical screwdriver along with a variety of different nose pad and eyeglass temple hinge screws. Such eyeglasses nose pad and frame temple repair kits are generally quite inexpensive and may also include a small magnifying lens that may come in handy while inserting or removing the tiny metal screws in the glasses nose pad arm mounts.

Eyeglass Temple Covers

Temple Covers, Temple Tips: Replacement eyeglass temple covers, also known as replacement glasses temple tips, are a standard optical eyeglasses repair and replacement part. Temple covers fit on the metal ends of spectacle frame temples whereby they cushion the eyeglass wearer from the solid metal temple end.

Temple covers often last the life of a pair of glasses; although, sometimes they need replacing due to normal wear or accidental damage. Replacement of brittle or damaged temple tips is recommended to maintain the comfort of the spectacle frame wearer.

Replacement temple tips can be purchased in a variety of materials and colors. Acetate temple covers and temple tips are the most common available material. Other popular temple cover materials include silicone and plastic.

Replacement temple tips are ordered by specifying the material that they are comprised of as well as their inner core diameter. Eyeglass temple cover lengths are usually not specified, and may vary from one optical part manufacturer to another parts manufacturer.

Common temple tip inner core diameters range from 1.35mm to 1.60mm. Additional temple cover core diameters are also available.

Eyeglass Cable Temples

Cable Temple Extensions, Cable Ends, Cable Temple Conversion Kits: Eyeglass cable temple extensions, also known as cable ends or cable temple conversion ends, slip onto the bare metal end of a standard eyeglass temple. These extensions have a semi coiled end that wraps around the wearer's ear. Essentially, cable extension ends convert a standard straight temple ( ie, library temple), or slightly bent temple (ie. spatula temple) into a cable temple. Cable temples are commonly referred to as comfort cables.

Cable extensions are usually available in silicone and in a variety of colors. Sizes are often specified as small, medium, and large. It is not uncommon for different optical parts and accessories manufacturers and suppliers to have different lengths of comfort cable extensions that correspond to the non-descript size offerings of small, medium, and large.

Eyeglass Temple Lock

Temple Locks: To help reduce the amount and frequency of an eyeglasses frame slipping down the wearer's nose, a silicone temple lock may be employed. Eyeglass temple locks do not always alleviate the common problem of eyeglass slippage, but it is an additional tool that may be tried by the glasses wearer.

The temple lock simply slips onto the end of an eyeglass temple whereby it acts similar to an eyeglass cable temple or comfort cable end in that it essentially fits behind the wearer's ear. One difference is that the temple lock may be inserted or removed in seconds at any time. On the other hand, comfort cable ends generally are permanently affixed to an eyewear frame temple end.

Temple locks are a comparatively new entrant in the eyeglass accessory and replacement part marketplace and are usually available in just one or two sizes and available only in limited materials such as soft silicone.