First: is it broken, bent, or just loose?
A "broken arm" usually means one of three things, and only one needs a repair shop:
- Loose hinge screw — the arm wiggles at the fold. Easiest fix; covered below.
- Bent arm — the temple is crooked but intact. Reshapable at home.
- Snapped at the hinge or frame — the metal or plastic is broken. Needs pro repair or replacement.
The 90% fix: tighten the hinge screw
Most "broken arms" are really loose screws. A precision driver (like the one in our kit) seats in the tiny head without stripping it.
- Lay the glasses on a white cloth so dropped parts stay visible.
- Insert the correct bit and turn clockwise with firm downward pressure.
- Stop at snug — one extra quarter-turn max. Overtightening cracks thin frames.
💡 Keep the arm aligned while tightening
Hold the temple at the angle you want it to sit, then tighten. This stops it from drifting loose again within a day.
Fix a bent arm
- Plastic frames: warm the bent section under hot (not boiling) water for 30 seconds, then gently reshape by hand. Let it cool in the correct position.
- Metal frames: wrap the arm in a soft cloth and bend slowly with pliers. Go a little at a time.
Reattach a detached arm
- Line up the hinge halves.
- Drop the original screw (or one from our 100-screw assortment) into place with tweezers.
- Seat the driver and tighten — the precision tip keeps the screw from escaping.
⚠️ When it's truly snapped
If the arm broke at the frame itself (not the hinge), super glue is only a short-term stopgap and weakens the join. For a lasting fix, an optician can solder metal or order a replacement arm. Don't force a glued joint under stress.
Prevent it next time
- Use a hard case instead of a soft pouch — pouches let frames flex and stress the hinges.
- Check hinge screws monthly and give them a light tighten.
- Never lay glasses lens-down or sit on them (the #1 cause of snapped arms).
Get the right tools
Our all-in-one kit includes a 3-in-1 precision driver, 100 replacement screws, tweezers, and a closed case.
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