How to keep glasses from slipping

Nothing has the potential to irritate you like ill-fitting glasses. Glasses slipping down your nose when you're trying to read or do work really get in the way, forcing you to keep pushing them back up your nose like it's the Middle Ages. "Surely, there must be a better way," we hear you crying out. Well, there is ... kind of.

Fitting your glasses the right way

The only surefire fix for ill-fitting glasses is to just get glasses that fit. It's simple, really. Here are some ways to do that.

Get the right fit from the start

Maybe the most important part of having glasses that fit properly is to get them fitted the right way before they're ordered. Take your time during the initial visit with your eye care professional to make sure the frames you're choosing fit just right. They should rest comfortably on the bridge of your nose without slipping, and the arms should rest lightly over your ears. 

Adjust the nose pad

Once you have the glasses, some adjustment is going to be necessary. Most models have somewhat adjustable nose pads. You can usually just push these into the position that works for you. The pads should rest on the bridge of your nose without slipping or pinching. Lean forward a bit to feel whether the nose pads are properly seated. If it feels like they're slipping or have an uneven distribution, try another adjustment until they feel right.

Fix the arms

The arms are another adjustment point for your glasses. Many types of frames have flexible arms that can bend a bit to ride more snugly over your ears. Conversely, you can bend them straighter to loosen the fit. Do this if it feels like the glasses are too tight or too loose.

Accessories to prevent slipping

There's only so much you can do to get your glasses correct straight from the box. When the normal adjustments aren't getting it done, you might need to try a few aftermarket accessories to make the final fit feel right. There are a few things you can try, and you might have to mix and match a few of them before you find a combination that works for you.

Anti-slip nose pads

There are several sizes and types of pads you can try to fine-tune the fit of your glasses' nose grips. A lot of these are very affordable, and it would actually be odd to find premium nose pads that cost more than pocket change. Shop around for different sizes and thicknesses, as well as the slightly different shapes they come in. Some nose pads are made from rubber or a rubberized material, while others are poly foam or just smooth plastic.

Temple tips and grips

You might want to try a sleeve, or plastic tip, that fits over the arms of your glasses and alters the fit over your ears. Thicker tips will tend to push the arms outward a bit, while thinner tips tend to be made of a fairly grippy material that helps hold them in place. Watch out for these to pull at the hairs at your temples or behind your ears because they tend to do that.

Eyeglass chains

Sometimes, you're not so worried about the fit your glasses have while you're wearing them, but you'd prefer not to have them slip off of your face entirely. Simple metal or plastic chains are available that fit over the arms and prevent them from falling. Instead, if your glasses slip off, they'll just hang around your neck like a necklace.

DIY solutions

Professionally fitted frames and aftermarket accessories are nice, but sometimes, you just want to fix the things yourself and be done with it. If you have a small screwdriver handy, you can probably tighten up the hinges and prevent the arms from swinging outward while you're wearing them. You can also apply wax adhesive to the pads or the temples to make them a little less slippery.

Fix the fit

No matter what else is going on, we all need our glasses to stay put. If you need new glasses fitted for your face, you can search for an eye doctor near you and book an appointment online.

FAQs

Are there anti-slip nose pads available for different types of glasses?

Anti-slip nose pads are so common, with so many different types available all over the place, that you should absolutely be able to find a set that fits your glasses, even if you have odd frames or a rare prescription.

Are DIY solutions to prevent glasses from slipping safe?

Generally speaking, it's hard to go wrong with DIY fixes to your glasses. As a rule, you're only in trouble here if the fix you make causes the glasses to be uncomfortable or to not function for some reason.

How often should I tighten the hinge screws on my glasses?

You can usually tighten up the hinges as often as you need to. If the arms aren't especially loose, just check on the screws every so often.