Spring Hinge Glasses: How to Tell If You Have Them and How to Tighten the Screw

Spring hinge glasses have a small spring hidden inside each hinge. The spring lets the arm flex a little past the open position and then pulls it back, so the frame holds your head more gently. You cannot see the spring, but on many frames the hinge is still held together by a small screw. That screw is the part that works loose.

This guide shows how to tell whether you have spring hinges, how they differ from other eyeglass hinges, and how to tighten a loose one safely at home. It also covers the problems that need an optician.

What are spring hinge glasses and how do they work?

A standard hinge opens to about 90 degrees and stops. A spring hinge adds a small spring inside the joint. The arm can flex outward past 90 degrees, then the spring returns it to position when you let go.

That give is why spring hinges on glasses suit kids, active wearers, people who take their glasses off with one hand and people with wider heads. Spring hinges come in both metal and acetate frames, and they can cost slightly more than standard hinges.

How can you tell if your glasses have spring hinges?

The spring sits inside the hinge, so the frame often looks the same as any other. These three checks will tell you:

• Read the product listing or the box. Sellers usually write "spring hinges" or "flex hinges" in the description.
• Try the gentle test. Hold the front of the frame and press one arm outward past its open position with light finger pressure. On spring hinge eyeglasses, the arm gives slightly and returns when you let go. On a standard hinge, it will not move. If you feel any resistance, stop. Never force it.
• Ask your optician. They can tell you in seconds.

Spring hinge, standard hinge or hingeless: what is the difference?

There are three common eyeglass hinge types. Only the first two have a hinge screw you can tighten.

Are spring hinge glasses worth it?

Spring hinge glasses give a more forgiving fit and cope well with one-handed removal. They can cost slightly more. When the spring itself fails, the repair usually belongs to an optician or the frame maker, while a standard hinge is the easiest type to fix at home.

If you want a frame that flexes, spring hinges are worth considering. If you want the simplest repair, a standard hinge is hard to beat. Either way, a loose screw is a five-minute job.

Why do spring hinge glasses come loose?

Every time you put your glasses on or take them off, the glasses hinge moves. If you wear spring hinge glasses, the arm also flexes outward each time. Over weeks of daily wear, that movement can turn the hinge screw a fraction at a time until it backs out slightly.

Watch for these signs:

• The arm feels floppy or wobbles when you open it.
• You can see a small gap where the arm meets the frame.
• The glasses slide down your nose or sit crooked.
• The arm feels weaker when it springs back.

If the arm still springs back but feels loose, a loose screw is the most likely cause. If it has stopped springing back at all, read the section on worn springs below.

How to tighten a spring hinge screw at home

You need a screwdriver that fits the screw head and a soft cloth. The Standard repair kit and Premium repair kit both come with a double-ended screwdriver (plus and minus heads) and 5 different-sized, color-coded screws. The screws are stored inside the screwdriver, so the whole kit fits in a bag or glove box.

1. Lay a towel or soft cloth on a table. The screws are tiny, and a hard surface can scratch the lenses.
2. Open the arm and find the screw at the hinge, where the arm meets the front of the frame.
3. Choose the end of the screwdriver, plus or minus, that sits snugly in the screw head. A loose-fitting tip slips and damages the head.
4. Turn clockwise a quarter turn at a time. Open and close the arm after each turn.
5. Stop when the wobble is gone and the arm still springs back freely. If the arm feels stiff or stops flexing, back the screw off a quarter turn.
6. Repeat on the other hinge, then try the glasses on.

For a longer walkthrough that also covers fit, see our guide to tightening glasses at home without breaking them.

Stop and see an optician if:

• The screw spins without tightening.
• The screw head is damaged.
• The arm will not open fully or line up with the frame.
• The arm does not spring back after you tighten the screw.
• You can see a loose spring or a small part that has come out of the hinge.

Do not take the hinge apart, bend the frame to make it fit or use glue. Glue can lock the parts together and make a later repair harder. Forcing a frame can also crack a lens.

What if a hinge screw is missing?

Match the replacement screw to the old one instead of guessing, because screw sizes vary by frame. Start the screw by hand and keep the arm steady, since a spring hinge can push the arm out of line. The screw should turn in easily for the first few turns. If it grinds, back it out and try the next size in the kit. If the parts will not line up, stop and see an optician.

Our screw size guide explains how eyeglass screw sizes differ. Once you know your size and color, the Screw Refill pack tops up the kit. It comes in sizes XS to XL, from 1.2mm to 1.7mm thread width.

What if the spring stops working or the hinge snaps?

Tighten the screw first. If the arm still hangs loose or does not return, the glasses spring hinge itself may be worn. Many spring hinges use parts made for one frame, so eyeglass spring hinge repair is usually work for an optician or the frame maker. Our post on what to do when a spring hinge no longer springs back covers the checks to run before you book a visit.

A hinge that has snapped is a different repair. Read our guide to fixing a broken arm hinge on metal and plastic frames before you try anything.

How to keep spring hinge glasses tight for longer

• Check the hinge screws every few weeks. A quick quarter turn catches a loose screw before the arm wobbles.
• Put your glasses on and take them off with both hands.
• Clear dust and lint from the hinge with a dry, soft brush.
• Keep your glasses in a case when you are not wearing them.
• Keep the repair kit where you keep your glasses, in a bag, a car or a travel pouch.

Spring hinge glasses FAQ

How do you fix a spring hinge on glasses?

If the arm is loose but still springs back, tighten the hinge screw. Use a screwdriver that fits the head, turn a quarter turn at a time and test the arm after each turn. If the spring has worn out or a part has come loose, see an optician or the frame maker.

What are the differences between spring hinge glasses and regular hinge glasses?

A regular hinge opens to about 90 degrees and stops. Spring hinge glasses flex slightly past that point and return, which gives a softer fit. On many frames both types are held by a small hinge screw, so a loose screw is fixed the same way.

What are the disadvantages of spring hinges in glasses?

They can cost slightly more than standard hinges. When the spring itself fails, the repair usually needs an optician or the frame maker, while a standard hinge is the easiest type to fix at home.

Can hinges on glasses be replaced?

Yes. An optician or the frame maker can replace a worn hinge or spring, although many spring hinges use parts made for one frame, so availability depends on the frame. A missing or loose hinge screw is the one part you can replace yourself with a matching screw from a repair kit.

How do you adjust spring hinges?

If the arm is loose, tighten the hinge screw a quarter turn at a time. If the fit is too tight or too wide on your head, an optician can adjust the arm angle and spread. Do not bend the arms yourself.

Fix the loose hinge today

If your arm is loose but still springs back, the right screwdriver and a matching screw usually sort it out. Get the Standard repair kit or the Premium repair kit from SnapIt Screw and keep it with your glasses. A glasses hinge repair kit like this also covers a missing screw. Already know your size and color? The Screw Refill pack keeps spares on hand for next time.