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How To Keep Eyeglasses From Sliding Down Your Nose

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A young woman trying on glasses at an optical store

Eyeglasses are a wonderful way to correct the blurry vision often caused by conditions like nearsightedness. But when they start to loosely slide down your face away from your eyes, they can be a frustrating part of your day. So, how do you keep eyeglasses from sliding down your nose?

There are a few ways to stop this problem. You can try tightening the screws or changing the nose pads. Regularly cleaning your face helps, too—the oils on your skin often make it difficult for your glasses to stay secure. However, the most efficient way to keep your glasses on your face is to visit your optometrist for a proper eyeglass fitting.

Why Does It Matter Where Your Glasses Sit?

Your glasses have a single purpose—to comfortably correct your vision. Light hits the glass at the right angle and gets refracted into your eye, correcting problems caused by conditions like nearsightedness.

To do this, they have to sit at the proper distance and angle from your eye. But when your glasses constantly slip, the angle of the light changes. Over time, this can lead to:

And sometimes, it’s not even about vision—a pair of glasses that constantly slips is downright uncomfortable. They can fall off your face, they might tickle the sides of your head, they can put pressure where they usually don’t; the list goes on.

That’s why learning how to keep your glasses on your face is crucial. It’s not just about keeping your vision clear—it’s about avoiding inconvenience.

Why Do Glasses Slip?

A pair of glasses slipping off your face is frustrating, but why does it happen?

It could be as simple as physics: gravity pulls on a loose frame that can’t secure itself to your face. The natural oils that build up on your skin can remove any friction from the situation. Your glasses can’t stay attached, and off they go.

However, it can also be due to:

  • Loose screws
  • Damaged nose pads
  • Poorly bent arms

If you constantly notice that your glasses slip, then it’s time to think about solutions.

How to Stop Glasses From Slipping

When you’re trying to stop your glasses from sliding down your face, you may be happy to hear that you can employ some small techniques at home to help keep them securely fixed to your nose.

Tighten the Screws

Your glasses arms securely attach to the front of the frame with small screws located near the hinge. Over time, wear and tear can loosen these screws, giving a little too much leeway to the bend of the arms.

Fortunately, this is an easy fix. You only need a small screwdriver, usually found at most dollar stores or pharmacies. Make sure to turn gently; if you try to push too hard, you can strip the screw or bend the hinge. And there’s good news here—most at-home kits include extra screws, so if yours is stripped or damaged in any way, it’s a simple replacement!

Replace the Nose Pads

You should clean your eyeglasses regularly. But sometimes, life can get in the way, and the nose pads may build up with oils, dust, debris, and more. If they’re damaged or starting to wear down, it’s time to replace them. These can easily be removed from your glasses using a small screwdriver.

Most eyeglasses repair kits include additional nose pads, but you can also stop by your optometrist’s office to get a new pair.

Use a Glasses Band

If you live a more active life or work in an environment where you’re constantly on the go, it can help to consider using an eyeglasses band. These bands easily attach to the arms of your glasses, providing an additional means to make sure they stay securely on your face.

Keep Your Face Clean

Your skin constantly secretes small amounts of oil, a natural process nobody can control. Regularly cleaning your face—especially the areas around your nose—can help prevent oil buildup. This helps add a little friction to the area your glasses secure to, lowering the odds of them slipping down.

The Importance of a Proper Fit

Sometimes, the reason for a slipping pair of glasses can be simpler than you think—they might just be the wrong fit. If you notice your glasses constantly slipping and can’t find an answer, it’s time to see your optometrist.

While you can make tiny adjustments at home, it simply can’t compare to an experienced professional touch. Your optometrist can take your glasses and perform a proper fitting; by adjusting your existing pair, they can fit the frames to your face so you don’t need to deal with the constant slipping anymore.

A man in an optometry clinic shaking hands with his female optometrist

Visit Our Team at The Eye Avenue

Sliding glasses can be frustrating, but that doesn’t mean you need to deal with it yourself. A little experience goes a long way; our team is here to help. Visit our team at The Eye Avenue, and let’s work together to keep your glasses securely on your face. Book an appointment with us—your eyes will thank you!

Written by Dr. John Tran

Dr. John Tran is a board-certified Optometric Physician. He is a member of the American Optometric Association, Florida Optometric Association, and Central Florida Society of Optometric Physicians. Dr. Tran was born and raised in California, where he attended Cal State University, Hayward, and majored in Health Science. His acceptance to Nova Southeastern University brought him 3000 miles from home to Florida, where he proceeded to earn his Doctor of Optometry degree in 2012. Optometry school was where he also met his wife, Dr. Regina Tran, and together, they made central Florida their home after graduation. Dr. Tran is passionate about vision and eye health, which fuels his commitment to delivering a one-of-a-kind eye care experience to his community.
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