LENS INSERTION INTO

PLASTIC FRAME
OVERVIEW

Standard lens insertion for most plastic frames involves several steps. The main
difference lies in whether heat is used and, if so, the amount of heat required.
Without heat, lenses are “snapped” into place, known as cold snapping. Special
materials may require adaptations of these procedures.
LENS INSERTION INTO PLASTIC FRAMES
(CELLULOSE ACETATE)
• Heat frame: Avoid temple bumps, as it can loosen hinges. Note lens curvature and preshape eyewire to
match. Dry run before heating.
• Hold frame correctly: Use one hand for lens, other for frame front. Avoid temples to prevent hinge
damage.
• Heating methods: Frame warmers blow hot air, salt pans heat with salt and talcum powder. Alternate
heating sides with one-direction blowers.
• Avoid overheating: Move frame slowly under salt to prevent distortion. Add talcum powder if salt sticks.
Be cautious with heat-sensitive materials and coated lenses.
• Caution: Hot salt can damage frames and lenses. Hot air blowers are safer, especially for anti-reflection
coatings.
INSERTING LENS
Method 1
1. Heat and curve frame top to match lens top
2. Heat eyewire
3. Place outer part of lens in outer part of frame
4. Push inner edge of lens in with thumbs
Method 2
5. Heat and curve frame top to match lens top
6. Heat eyewire
7. Place upper outer edge of lens in frame
8. Place upper inner edge of lens in frame (top of lens is now in frame)
9. Pull lower eyewire around lens beginning temporally and ending nasally
METHOD 1
METHOD 2
The top edge of
the frame is
compared with To make the
the top edge of frame rim fi t the
the lens lens better, pre-
Heat only that shape the rims to
portion of the conform to the
frame that is meniscus curve
going to be of the lens.
manipulated.
SOME POINTS TO NOTE
• Most frame construction facilitates front lens insertion.
• Safety frames require front lens insertion to prevent lens displacement upon impact from the front.
• If the frame cools before the lens is fully inserted, it's advisable to remove the lens before reheating the
frame.
• Handling a heated lens is challenging, and removing lenses from the frame allows for more uniform
heating and even stretching during insertion.
• When pulling the eyewire, ensure a straight pulling action and avoid rolling it.
• Rolling the eyewire can result in uneven lens coverage, less secure lens retention, and visual
disturbances from refracted light through the bevel.
• If the eyewire appears rolled during insertion, change the direction of insertion to reverse the direction
of the roll.
• After inserting lenses into a cellulose acetate frame, plunging the frame and lenses into ice water can
help set them and prevent loose lenses.
• Check the insertion and all adjustment points before "setting" the lenses, except for Optyl frames that
shrink upon slow cooling. Plunging such frames in cold water can loosen lenses.
This insertion attempt caused the lower eyewire
to be rolled forward.
ADAPTING FOR A LENS THAT IS TOO SMALL
1. If new lenses are ordered for an old frame, they may be too small if the frame has been stretched
around its old lenses.
2. To adapt the frame, heat the frame front until it becomes pliable.
3. Immediately immerse the heated frame in very cold water.
4. Allow the frame to rest in the cold water until it becomes completely cold to the touch.
5. If the frame is still too large, repeat the heating and cooling process two or three times.
6. If the frame remains too large after the third treatment, the technique is unlikely to be successful.
7. This process can also be used on new frames, although they usually respond only slightly.
CHECKS AFTER LENS INSERTION
Ensure the lens is fully in the eyewire groove and the eyewire is flat or uniformly rounded.
Correct a rolled eyewire by heating and twisting it or pressing it against a flat surface.
• If necessary, remove the lens to correct the lower eyewire before reinserting it.
• Compare the lens-containing eyewire with the empty one to check for square fit and parallel alignment.
• Note any humping or stretching of the plastic near the bridge, indicating a mismatched lens.
• Use an empty sample frame to assess the inserted pair, especially for spherical lenses or misaligned bridge/endpiece.
• Lens-twisting pliers can be used to rotate a lens after heating the frame.
• Hold the frame with the upper eyewire toward the palm and grasp the endpiece area.
• Rotate the frame while holding the lens with pliers, ensuring the hinges face away from the palm for one lens and
towards the palm for the other.
• Avoid contact between the pliers and the hot eyewire to prevent denting.
• Alternatively, use fingers to adjust the lens immediately after insertion and while the frame is still warm.
REMOVING A LENS

1. Heat the frame front.

2. Place thumbs on the back side of the lens in the lower, nasal area.
3. Brace the front of the eyewire with fingers.
4. Optionally, use a towel to prevent burning of the fingers.
5. Push the lens in one direction by pressing with thumbs.
6. Brace or pull the eyewire in the opposite direction with fingers.