How Are Eyeglasses Made?

How eyeglasses lenses are made

Eyeglass and sunglass lenses are shaped from plastic disks. The type of lens selected is unique for each order/prescription. Specialized machines then cut and bevel the lenses down to the right shape for the frame and the wearer’s prescription. Each lens receives a finishing by hand and then fitted into its frame. To fit the lenses in full-rimmed glasses, the frame is simply heated up so the lens can be pressed into place. Rimless glasses, on the other hand, need screws to hold the nose bridge and temples in place. And for semi-rimless glasses, the lenses are held into place by a thread that fits into the groove along the lenses edge.

We hoped this has let you learn more about how are eyeglasses made. If you’re looking to learn more about the different styles of eyeglasses EyeBuyDirect has to offer? Check out our eyeglasses’ frame page for frames of all different shapes and sizes!

How plastic glasses are made

Eyeglasses are also made from plastics. The two main types of plastic used are injection or acetate. Injection plastic is when tiny plastic beads are melted down and then shot into a mold. Different mixes and concoctions of colored beads are used to make different colors and patterns. Depending on the style, an adjustable nose pad is attached, along with hinges and temple arms.

Acetate, a plant-based plastic, is bit different. First, the plant fiber is extracted, processed into a paste, and then cured into a soft plastic. Then, pigments are mixed and folded into the plastic and pressed several times through giant rollers. This creates large sheets of uniform colors. To get floral and tortoiseshell patterns, solid sheets are chipped up and then pressed together. Sheets of different color can also be pressed together in order to make new, striped sheets. After a sheet is finished, it’s set to cure and harden. A similar process to the one used to cut flat, metal glasses is used make acetate frames. Precision machinery cuts out the frame front and temple arms, which are then tumbled and polished. Metal wire is pressed into the temple arms for stability, and hinges and nose pads are added by hand.