Vintage eyewear, own prescription

honeychurch

honeychurch

Registered Guest
I am considering purchasing a pair of dead-stock vintage frames and getting my prescription lenses fitted. Was hoping for some advice from people who have done this - what to look out for, what not to buy, recommendations of sellers, etc.

I wear quite a high prescription so I would be buying thicker frames, snug enough to fit my thicker lense (I get them thinned anyway as I am -8.00).

Thanks in advance :)
 
Hi honeychurch

I've done this a few times with both metal and plastic vintage frames. I've never had a frame break, but there is no guarantee, as older frames can be more brittle, whether they are deadstock or not. I suggest you ask whoever fits the lens, whether they have experience of vintage frames, as the frame seller can't really be expected to know how the frame will stand up to the fitting process. I'm sure any optical service will make fitting the lens 'at your own risk'.

There are vintage spectacle sellers who also offer an optician service, this might be the best bet. I know one or two in the UK (I see you are in Ireland), if that would be useful, let me know and I'll pm you.
 
:) Ruth beat me to it! All the old frames I'm run across have fairly heavy, thick glass lenses so there is a reasonably good chance they could accommodate the thicker lenses. Purchasing deadstock lenses from a seller that offers the optician services is an excellent idea. If you have your heart set on a frame that isn't, the next best thing you could do is to go to the optician you plan to have change the lenses BEFORE you purchase and have them look at the listing, photos, and any specs given. If the optician has any specific questions, you can ask the seller for the exact info your option needs. Then they can advise you if they believe your lens could be used and/or even IF they will or won't do the work for you.
 
I primarily wanted to chime in and say, great question and great answers. :)
I, unfortunately have had some less than positive experiences when taking my vintage frames in to have my lenses changed locally so I have learned to do it myself. I do not wear prescription lenses so it's a little easier for me.

On my metal frames I use a little eye glass screw driver to take out the screws to open the frame and then the lenses come out with ease, I insert the new lenses in and then tighten the screws back up. Sometimes I use warm water, mild soap, and a toothbrush to get the stuff off the top of the screws so they are easier to get my eyeglass screwdriver into and turn.
On my plastic frames I put them in a sink of warm water for a minute. I don't make it too hot because I don't want to melt the frames. I check after a minute. Sometimes when I get them there are really thick lenses in there so I have to soak them for a few minutes but I keep checking on them until the are flexible enough for me to push the old lenses out and insert the new lenses.

With that said there's always a chance vintage frames can warp, melt, or break so it's best to have a professional who has experience with vintage frames change the lenses if you can find one.
 
I have had good luck with two vintage frames and new prescriptions. I purchased the frames with my fingers crossed, and in both cases I was told by my optician (as others have said) that they can't be responsible if the frames break. That said, the optician raved about the quality of the vintage frames. The only trouble I've had is that my plastic Lumar frames had to be slightly adjusted to fit my face and they tend to want to slowly drift to their original position. I am having to go to get them adjusted less frequently over time, so the plastic is starting to be less stubborn.
 
Leonardo da Vintage said:
Hi honeychurch

I've done this a few times with both metal and plastic vintage frames. I've never had a frame break, but there is no guarantee, as older frames can be more brittle, whether they are deadstock or not. I suggest you ask whoever fits the lens, whether they have experience of vintage frames, as the frame seller can't really be expected to know how the frame will stand up to the fitting process. I'm sure any optical service will make fitting the lens 'at your own risk'.

There are vintage spectacle sellers who also offer an optician service, this might be the best bet. I know one or two in the UK (I see you are in Ireland), if that would be useful, let me know and I'll pm you.
Click to expand...

That would be brilliant thank you! Thank you everyone for your helpful advice, I have been with my optician for 10 years now, so I will approach them as you advised, to see if they would be comfortable fitting my own lenses (the expense is eye watering but has to be done!).

Here is a great video I came across recently with some beautiful 1950s eyewear fashions, eyewear was much more WOW then!

I'm relieved there were more positive than negative stories in this thread!
 
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