If your vintage eyeglass frames break in Portland, OR, it can be a bit of a blow. Older styles may pair well with your modern outfits, but the whole point of wearing them is that they’re one-of-a-kind. If you don’t want to find a new pair, we’ll look at a few things that you can try.

Assess the Break

For the most part, frames tend to break at the bridge. You’ll need to understand the type of break and the material before making any significant decisions. For example, you may be able to glue two pieces back together with a strong adhesive, but only if the frames are made of plastic. They’ll need to be welded back together if they’re made of metal.

Look for an Eyeglass Repair Kit 

Eyeglass repair kits come with screws and nose pads, making it simple to replace components if they’re lost or they’ve fallen off. You can use a small screwdriver (often found within the kit) to replace a hinge screw or to snap in a new nose pad.

Talk to an Expert

There are certain breaks that your eyeglasses can’t return from. However, before you officially make that decision, you may want to bring the frames to an eyeglass repair expert in Portland, OR. At Asterix, we specialize in replacing lenses, converting glasses into sunglasses, and repairing vintage frames.

Whether you need a replacement or screw repair, we work with vintage frames day in and day out. We amaze our customers by making their vintage frames as good as new whenever possible, which is why so many people trust us with their most prized possessions.

Eyeglass frames are more than just a way for you to see better, they’re a reflection of your personal style. Vintage frames may be in fashion, but they often have a personal story attached to them. Whether they were your aunt’s or you’ve just worn them for the last 20 years, it’s an aesthetic choice that you show off — likely on a daily basis. If you’re looking for a team that appreciates your vintage frames every bit as much as you do, contact the Asterix team to let us know how we can help!

Kids lose their glasses. Some kids lose them a lot! Replacing lost glasses can be costly. Parents who want to avoid replacing lost glasses can take steps to help their children keep track of their glasses.

If you’re a parent who would like to help your child keep track of their glasses, work with your child’s optician in Portland, OR to make this easier. Below are three things you can do to help your child avoid losing their glasses.

1. Buy a Glasses Chain

Eyeglasses neck chains give your child the ability to hang their glasses around their neck when the glasses aren’t being worn. Chains come in many styles and lengths, so you can choose the type of chain that’s best for your child. Some are decorative and beaded, others are durable and comfortable. Let your child pick the chain that they like best.

2. Teach Them Not to Remove Their Glasses

When your child first gets their glasses, they may struggle with the impulse to remove their glasses at every opportunity. If they develop this habit early, it may be difficult to fight later. Teach your child to leave their glasses on their face. Remind them to wear their glasses – or use the chain to hang their glasses around their neck when they want to take them off.

3. Give Them a Place to Put Their Glasses

Kids often lose their glasses by taking them off in unexpected places. Assign your child one or two locations where they may put their glasses down.

This may be on their dresser, nightstand, or bathroom counter. By giving your child a few places where they are allowed to keep their glasses, your child is less likely to put their glasses somewhere unexpected.

Give your child a case from the optician where they can put their glasses when they aren’t on their face. If possible, choose a brightly colored case that stands out and is very visible. Need glasses in Portland, OR? Call Asterix today.

If you have titanium eyeglasses, you typically won’t be able to repair them with traditional welding techniques. When heated, titanium is highly reactive to oxygen and nitrogen, leaving brittle, weakened surfaces behind. This can make it difficult to find an eyeglass repair shop in Portland, OR, especially if you have a pair of eyeglasses that are very well-loved.

If you’re interested in getting your frames repaired, we’ll look at ways to avoid these issues and why it’s so important to find a shop with experience in different types of metals.

How to Repair Titanium Glasses

The laser is the most common type of weld for titanium because it’s easier to focus the beam exactly where you need it. Titanium is a very good heat conductor, which makes it difficult to isolate one section based on where the repair is needed.

With a laser, you don’t need to use high heat, which makes it easier to keep both the finish and the coating of the glasses. Plus, there’s less chance that the surrounding metal will become too hot and ruin the frames. Laser welds are also strong and practically invisible, leading to long-lasting results that won’t clash with your outfit.

Soldering Vs. Lasers

Soldering is generally too hot for titanium welds and leads to a weaker bond than laser bonds. Knowing the basics of this common metal is important because frames are often fragile enough that you don’t want to take any chances.

Find Eyeglass Repairs in Portland, OR

The staff at Asterix is used to working with people who love their eyewear in Portland, OR. There are frames out there that they don’t make anymore, frames that people have made part of their signature style for years. It’s equally important to us as it is to our customers to preserve glasses whenever possible. If you’re interested in fixing your frames with titanium welding, contact us today to learn more about what we can do.

Here, we do a full assessment before making any recommendations. At Asterix, we pride ourselves on investing in the equipment and the professional expertise

Getting a spare pair of glasses may sound like an indulgence, but it’s not! Spare glasses are a convenience in many ways.

As youreye doctor in Portland, OR, we have a wide selection of eyeglasses, so you can always have a pair on hand when it’s needed. Getting a spare pair of glasses can help you stay safe and avoid inconvenience if your glasses are broken or lost. Here’s what to consider.

1. Keep a Spare Pair At Your Workplace

Maybe you spend most of your time at your workplace or elsewhere outside your home. Having a spare pair of glasses means you can keep one pair at home and another pair where you spend your time. Having a spare pair means having the convenience of storing glasses where you’re most likely to need them.

2. Never Without the Ability to Perform Important Tasks

If you lose your primary pair of glasses, you may be unable to drive or do important jobs that you need to do. Keeping a spare pair of glasses around means that you always have the ability to perform important tasks that require your glasses.

3. Ability to Mix and Match

Once you have multiple pairs of glasses, you can mix and match the glasses on your face with your outfits. Mixing and matching means that you can be more satisfied with your outfit. Having options feels good.

4. You Could Break Your Pair

Are you hard on your glasses? If so, another good reason to get a spare is that you could break your primary pair of glasses and may need backups until your glasses are fixed. Breaking your pair of glasses is terribly inconvenient unless you have a backup plan. With a spare pair, you can wait until it’s a better time to get your primary pair of glasses fixed.

5. Insurance Pays for One Pair Per Year

If you have vision insurance, there’s a good chance that your vision insurance will pay for one pair of glasses yearly. If you’re not taking advantage of this benefit, you’re leaving something you could otherwise take advantage of. Use your insurance to get a spare pair of glasses or a new primary pair.

Neednew glasses in Portland, OR? Call Asterix today.

When Portland is such a fashionable city, it may sometimes seem like you have to choose between style and your wallet. The good news is that there are places to find looks that mesh with both your outfit and your wallet. If you need eyewear, here are our tips on how to bring down the costs so you have more to spend elsewhere.

1. Don’t Sweat the Labels

Designer eyewear is great, but just because the label is well-known doesn’t mean it will be the best for the shape of your face. When you shop around, it’s not about wearing the trendiest pair of glasses or sunglasses but about finding a pair of eyewear that’s going to work with your personal brand of fashion. We recommend trying on a few of your favorite outfits to get a sense of how all the colors and accessories flow together. If you’re looking for designer glasses in Portland, the best retailers will have a wide range to choose from.

2. Don’t Skimp on Quality

There are endless options out there if you’re looking to purchase eyewear in Portland, OR, but the reality is that you don’t always know who you’re purchasing from. It’s also relatively easy to get bogged down in the endless questions from certain retailers, ones that might start off looking affordable, but once you’re through adding in the features, end up costing more than you would have spent elsewhere. Whether you’re trying to correct your vision or shield your eyes from harmful sun rays, we highly recommend that you choose a reputable retailer.

3. Visit Asterix for Affordable Eyewear in Portland

If you’re looking for an eyewear retailer in Portland, OR, with an extensive range of products, the staff at Asterix can help. We know that it’s not always easy to settle on just one pair of frames, especially if you’re planning on wearing them for every waking hour of your life. When you want to keep costs down while still nailing the right look, we can help you find the best pair for you. To see why our customers rave about everything from the styles to the prices, contact us or visit us today.