Nosepads and Eyeglass Nose Pad Buyers Guide for Glasses, Eyewear, & Sunglass Optical Frame Repair Parts - Nosepad and Replacement Nose Pads at NosePads.Com

Glasses and Sunglass Nosepads often degrade with time and need to be replaced with a fresh pair in order to maintain the comfort and proper adjustment of an eyeglass frame. Quite often, a nose pad or nose pads also get dislodged from an eyewear frame and need replacing.

Replacement nose pads used in basic eyeglass repair are available at modest cost from a variety of sources including the internet, department stores, and optical shops.

This article describes the four main attributes of nose pads that need to be considered when selecting replacement nosepads for your glasses. Additional selection tips are also provided.

When selecting replacement nose pads, try to select nosepads that are as close as a match as possible to your existing nosepads. This will ensure the same comfort level and alignment of your eyeglass frame whether you are wearing reading glasses, sunglasses, computer glasses, the fanciest optical designer frames, or plain spectacles for daily eyewear use.

Some glasses and sunglasses manufacturers such as Ray Ban, Bolle, and Oakley sell "name brand" or "branded" nosepads that often have their logo imprinted on each nose pad. These nosepads are often referred to as Original Equipment Manufacturer or "OEM" nosepads and are often available in a distinctive color and composed of one type of material.

Replacement generic nosepads are usually available as an alternative to branded nose pads. Although the generic nosepads are generally less expensive and are available in a variety of materials, they do not contain any custom markings or original custom colors that the branded nose pads may contain.

Regarding the suitability of or the replacement of nose pads, please consult with your eye care professional.

STEP #1 - Mounting

The first consideration is the nose pad mount.

The three (3) primary methods of mounting nose pads to eyeglass frames are screw-in, push-in, and slide-in. These methods are fully detailed below:

Screw-in (or Screw-on)

As the name implies, screw-in nosepads are held in place on an eyeglass frame by use of an ultra-small screw. If possible, use the same screws that came with your existing nosepads as there are many different types available of similarly looking nosepad screws that are not interchangeable.

If you lost one of your nose pad screws, you can use the existing one to help locate a replacement, although due to their very small size, two screws that may look alike may easily differ in the type of threading or diameter. If one or both nosepad screws are missing, your best solution may be to obtain a variety of screws from your nose pad vendor.

You will also need a low cost jeweler's screwdriver, but fortunately, many commonly found "eyeglass repair kits" include both a jeweler's screwdriver as well as a variety of common nose pad screws.

Push-in (or Push-on) or Slide-in ( or Slide-on)

Push-in and slide-in nosepads are the easiest to work with as a slight finger pressure usually dislodges an existing nosepad from an eyeglass frame mount, and a similar slight pressure usually secures the replacement nose pad into the "nose pad mounting arm".

For a more in-depth description of nose pad mounting options, please click on the "Mounting" link in the left column of this website.

Nosepads come in a variety shapes ranging from oval, teardrop, round or "button", "D-shapes" that resemble the letter "D", as well as strap-bridge and unifit softwing (soft-wing) shapes.

Basically, eyeglass manufacturers select the shape of a nosepad to provide adequate weight distribution of an eyewear frame over your nasal area so that the weight of a frame won't concentrate too much pressure on your face resulting in pain.

Manufacturers also choose a shape that compliments the look and contours of an eyeglass frame so that your glasses have an overall appealing look.

For a more in-depth description along with images of the most common nose pad shapes, please click on the "Shapes" link in the left column of this website. Feel free to also click on the many links in the left column of this website for images and descriptions of specific nosepad shapes such as "D-shape", "symmetrical / symmetric", unifit bridge, etc.

STEP #3 - Size

Nosepad sizes are measured in the metric system in millimeters (mm), where 1mm is roughly 1/32". Most nose pads are also measured along their long vertical dimension from top to bottom. Common nosepad sizes are 9mm, 11mm, 13mm, 15mm, etc.

Try to match the same nose pad size of your existing nosepads to your replacement nose pads. If you select a nosepad that is smaller than your existing nose pads, then your eyeglass frame may be misaligned on your face and the spectacle frame weight will be more concentrated into a smaller nosepad area possibly resulting in higher pressure and pain in the area of contact.

Smaller nose pads may also cause glasses to sit lower on your face than previously. This new position may adversely affect your vision as your eyes will not see through the optical lenses through the same place as before. Not only may your vision quality appear different, but the important positioning of your bifocal, trifocal, or progressive (multi-focal) lenses may also be adversely affected.

Conversely, nosepads that are larger than the original nose pads may push the eyeglass frame higher than normal as well as farther away from your face. This altered position may also adversely change the quality of your vision.

Selecting nose pads larger than your existing nosepads may also negatively affect the physical appearance of your glasses on your face whereby your eyewear may simply not look right. Nose pads that are too large may also not fit in the space between the eyeglass frame and your face!

For a more in-depth description of nose pad sizes, please click on the "Sizes" link in the left column of this website.

STEP #4 - Material

Nosepads are available in a variety of materials, each with their own characteristics. The most common materials are soft silicone, high density silicone ( HD Silicone ), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and polycarbonate (PC), while other less common materials are titanium, ceramic, and glass.

Silicone

Silicone nose pads are comprised of soft silicone material that makes contact with the nasal area and conforms to the shape of the face. This pliable fit provides an even weight distribution where the eyeglass frame makes contact with the facial skin. "High Density or HD" silicone nose pads are also available, whereby this material provides a firmer feel and less conforming structure than soft silicone nosepads.

Although some silicone nosepads are completely comprised of silicone, some silicone nose pads are constructed with an internal firm plastic or metal flange that is covered with either a soft silicone or high density silicone covering that makes contact with the skin.

Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)

Polyvinyl chloride nose pads are made of a material that provides rigid or near-rigid support of eyeglass frames over the facial nasal area. As these nosepads essentially do not bend to conform to the shape of the underlying skin, they need to be properly adjusted so that the nosepads fit flush against the skin, otherwise the weight of the eyeglass frame may leave pressure indentations on the skin.

Polycarbonate (PC)

Polycarbonate nose pads are similar to the above described polyvinyl chloride nosepads except that they are often manufactured in an "ultra-thin" design.

For a more in-depth description of available nose pad materials, please click on the "Materials" link in the left column of this website.

If you are uncertain as to the proper replacement nosepads to use or your ability to remove the existing nose pads or insert the replacement nose pads, please consult your eyecare professional.