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WHEN BUY 3 KITS
The screw is gone. Maybe it pinged off onto the floor and vanished into another dimension. Maybe you noticed it was missing only after the arm started dangling. Either way, you're staring at your eyeglasses with a hole where a screw should be, and you don't have the original to put back.
This happens constantly. Eyeglass screws are tiny, and they fall out without warning. The good news is that you don't need the original screw. You need a screw that fits, and there are several ways to get one.
Why the Original Screw Doesn't Matter
Eyeglass screws aren't proprietary. Despite what some opticians might imply, there's no special screw made specifically for your frames that can only be obtained from the manufacturer.
Eyewear screws follow standard sizing conventions. The vast majority of eyeglasses use screws in a handful of common sizes, typically ranging from about 1.2mm to 1.6mm in diameter with varying lengths. If you can figure out which size your frames need, any screw of that size will work.
This is actually how opticians handle repairs. They don't keep original screws for every frame they've ever sold. They keep an assortment of common sizes and match the right one to your frames. You can do exactly the same thing.
The exception is some high-end designer frames that occasionally use unusual screw types or sizes. But even these can usually be matched with standard hardware if you know what you're looking for.
Emergency Fixes When You Need to See Right Now
Before discussing permanent solutions, let's address the immediate problem. If your arm is dangling and you need functional eyeglasses in the next five minutes, here are temporary fixes that can get you through until you can do a proper repair.
A wooden toothpick can serve as a temporary pin. Break off a piece roughly the length of the missing screw, insert it through the hinge hole, and snap off the excess on both ends. It won't be as secure as a real screw, but it can hold an arm in place for hours or even days in a pinch.
A small safety pin can work similarly if the hinge holes are large enough. Thread it through and close the pin on one side. This looks odd but functions surprisingly well.
A twist tie from a bread bag, stripped of its paper coating to expose the wire, can be threaded through and twisted to hold things together.
These are temporary measures, not permanent repairs. They'll get you through an important meeting or allow you to drive home safely, but you should replace them with a proper screw as soon as possible.
Finding the Right Replacement Screw Size
The key to a permanent fix is matching the screw size. There are several approaches depending on what resources you have available.
If you have the old screw, even if it's stripped or damaged, measuring it gives you the answer immediately. Hold it against a ruler and note the length. The diameter is harder to measure precisely at this scale, but even an approximate measurement narrows down your options.
If you don't have the old screw, you can often determine the size by looking at the hinge. Larger frames with robust hinges typically use larger screws. Small, delicate frames use smaller screws. Children's eyeglasses almost always use the smallest sizes.
The easiest approach is using a repair kit that includes multiple screw sizes. An eyeglass repair kit with five sizes ranging from extra small to extra large covers virtually every pair of eyeglasses you'll encounter. You try the size that looks right, and if it's not quite perfect, you move up or down a size until you find the match.
This trial-and-error approach might sound imprecise, but it's actually how professionals do it. The difference in screw sizes is small enough that you can usually tell immediately if a screw is too large to fit the hole or too small to grip properly.
Standard Eyeglass Screw Sizes Explained
Understanding the sizing system helps you communicate with opticians or order parts online if needed.
Eyeglass screws are typically measured using the metric system, with diameters around 1.2mm to 1.6mm being most common. Lengths vary more widely, from about 2mm to 6mm depending on the hinge design.
The most common hinge screw size is approximately 1.4mm diameter by 4mm length. If you had to guess a single size for a standard pair of adult eyeglasses, this would be your best bet.
Children's eyeglasses often use smaller screws, around 1.2mm diameter. Larger frames, particularly men's styles with robust hinges, might use 1.6mm diameter screws.
Nose pad screws are smaller than hinge screws on the same pair of eyeglasses. They're typically around 1.2mm diameter and very short.
If you want to learn more about screw sizing, the how it works page (https://snapitscrew.com/pages/how-it-works) has additional details on matching screws to your frames.
Where to Get Replacement Screws
You have several options for sourcing replacement screws, each with pros and cons.
An eyeglass repair kit is the most versatile option because it includes multiple sizes plus a screwdriver. You solve the immediate problem and have spare screws for future repairs. The convenience of having everything in one package, ready when you need it, makes this the approach I recommend for most people.
Optical shops will often replace a screw for free or a nominal charge if you walk in with your broken eyeglasses. This works well if you have an optician nearby and the time to make the trip. The downside is that you're dependent on their hours and availability, which rarely coincides with when eyeglasses actually break.
Hardware stores sometimes carry assortments of tiny screws, but finding eyeglass-specific sizes can be hit or miss. The screws might also come in larger quantities than you need.
Online retailers sell eyeglass screws, but shipping time means this isn't a solution for an immediate repair. If you're planning ahead, ordering a screw refill pack in the size you know you need is economical for long-term maintenance.
Installing the Replacement Screw
Once you have a screw that fits, installation is straightforward.
Position the hinge so the screw holes in the frame and arm align perfectly. This is easier if you can lay the eyeglasses flat on a table and let gravity help hold things in place.
Insert the screw through the hole. If you're using a kit with a feeder tab design, this step is dramatically easier than trying to manipulate a bare screw. The tab gives you something to grip and guide.
Use a precision screwdriver to turn the screw clockwise. Apply gentle pressure while turning to help the threads engage. Don't force anything. If the screw won't turn easily, check that you have the hole alignment correct and that you're using the right size screw.
Tighten until snug, then stop. Over-tightening can strip the threads or crack the frame material. The arm should move smoothly through its full range of motion without any wobble or play.
If you're using a feeder tab screw, snap off the tab by bending it back and forth until it breaks cleanly. The break point is designed into the screw, so this leaves a flush, professional-looking repair.
What If No Standard Screw Fits?
Occasionally you'll encounter frames that don't seem to accept any standard screw size. This usually indicates one of several issues.
The hinge threads might be stripped. If previous screws were over-tightened or if corrosion has damaged the threads, standard screws might spin without gripping. Try the next size up. The slightly larger screw will cut new threads and may solve the problem.
The hinge design might be unusual. Some rimless eyeglasses and certain designer frames use mounting systems that aren't traditional hinge screws. These might require manufacturer-specific parts or professional repair.
The screw hole might be obstructed. Debris, old thread-locker compound, or a broken screw tip stuck in the hole can prevent a new screw from seating properly. Try cleaning the hole with a toothpick before giving up.
The Case for Keeping Spare Screws
Once you've experienced the frustration of a missing eyeglass screw, you'll understand why I keep repair supplies on hand at all times.
I have a kit at home, one at work, and one in my travel bag. This might sound excessive until you consider that eyeglasses break at the least convenient moments. I've done repairs in airport lounges, hotel rooms, and office restrooms. Each time, having the right supplies immediately available saved me significant hassle.
The investment is minimal. A repair kit costs less than a single screw replacement at most opticians, and it handles unlimited future repairs. You can check the FAQ for answers to common questions about what's included and how to use it.
Preventing Screw Loss
While you can always replace a lost screw, prevention is even better.
Check your screws monthly. A quick visual inspection and gentle wiggle test of each arm takes seconds. If a screw is backing out, you'll catch it before it falls out and disappears.
Tighten preventively. If you feel any looseness developing, tighten the screw right away. Waiting until the arm is dangling is waiting too long.
Consider using thread-locker on screws that repeatedly loosen. A tiny drop of the weakest formulation (typically blue) on the screw threads adds friction that keeps screws from backing out while still allowing future removal for repairs.
The Bottom Line
You don't need the original screw to fix your eyeglasses. You need a screw that fits, and standard sizes cover almost every pair of frames in existence.
Keep a repair kit with multiple sizes, and you'll be prepared for any eyeglasses emergency. The fix takes about 60 seconds once you have the right screw, and you can do it yourself without any special skills or expensive tools.
Your eyeglasses don't have to stay broken while you wait for an optician appointment or order specialty parts. You can fix this yourself, today, with readily available supplies.
