# How often should you replace your glasses?

> Most adults replace their glasses every two years, in step with their eye tests. Replace them sooner if your prescription changes, if the lenses are scratched or their coating is peeling, or if the frame no longer fits. Children usually need new glasses every year because their eyes and faces are still growing.

Source: https://seebetter.co.za/blog/how-often-should-you-replace-your-glasses/
Publisher: See Better (https://seebetter.co.za/)
Section: Glasses and lenses
Published: 2026-10-11
Last updated: 2026-10-11

## Key points

- Every two years suits most adults. Children usually need a new pair yearly.
- A changed prescription matters more than the age of the glasses.
- Scratches and worn coatings scatter light and tire your eyes.
- New lenses can often be fitted to a frame that is still in good condition.

## Why two years is the usual answer

Two things wear out: your prescription and the glasses themselves.

Your eyes change slowly, and an eye test every two years is how most adults keep up. If the test shows a change, new lenses follow. Even with careful handling, two years of daily cleaning, heat and knocks leaves most lenses with fine scratches and tired coatings. Medical aid optical benefits commonly work on a 24-month cycle too, which is why two years has become the standard rhythm.

Two years is a guide and not a rule. A pair that still gives you clear, comfortable vision and fits well does not need to be replaced because of its age.

## Signs your glasses need replacing

- **You are squinting again,** or holding things closer or further away than before.
- **Headaches or tired eyes** have returned, especially later in the day.
- **Night driving is harder,** with more glare around headlights.
- **The lenses are scratched,** particularly in the centre where you look through them.
- **The coating is peeling or cracked.** It looks like a fine web or patches of haze that will not wipe off.
- **The frame is loose, bent or skew,** and no longer stays where it should.
- **Nose pads or arms have discoloured or cracked.**
- **You find yourself taking them off to see better** at some distances.

Several of these are also signs that your prescription has moved. See [10 signs you need glasses](https://seebetter.co.za/blog/signs-you-need-glasses/).

## How long lenses last

With good care, lenses last about two to three years before scratches and coating wear start to affect what you see. Their life is shortened by wiping them dry, harsh cleaning products and heat. Leaving glasses on a dashboard in summer is the quickest way to ruin a coating. [How to clean your glasses](https://seebetter.co.za/blog/how-to-clean-your-glasses/) covers the habits that make lenses last.

Scratches cannot be polished out. Once they interfere with your vision, the only fix is new lenses.

## How long frames last

A well-made frame can outlast several pairs of lenses. Metal frames can be adjusted many times, and screws, nose pads and arm tips can be replaced. Plastic frames become brittle with age, heat and sunscreen, and are more likely to crack when new lenses are fitted.

## Can I put new lenses in my old frame?

Often, yes. It makes sense when:

- the frame is in good condition, with no cracks, corrosion or stretched hinges
- it is a comfortable fit and you still like it
- it suits your new lenses. Multifocals, for example, need a certain minimum lens depth.

Bear in mind that an older frame can break while lenses are being fitted, and that you will be without your glasses while the work is done. Keeping your previous pair as a spare solves that.

## How often children need new glasses

Children's eyes change faster than adults', and so do their heads. A yearly eye test is the norm, and a child may need new lenses, a bigger frame or both each year. Children who are becoming more short-sighted may need changes even sooner. See [short-sightedness in children](https://seebetter.co.za/blog/myopia-in-children/). Glasses that are too small sit wrongly in front of the eyes and are uncomfortable, which is a common reason children stop wearing them.

## Keep your old pair

When you replace your glasses, keep the previous pair as a backup, as long as the prescription is not too far from your current one. A spare in the car or in a drawer is invaluable if your main pair breaks.

## Start with an eye test

Before you spend money on new glasses, find out whether your prescription has changed. [How often you should have an eye test](https://seebetter.co.za/blog/how-often-should-you-have-an-eye-test/) explains the schedule. See Better tests your eyes at home for R450, and complete glasses, including the test, start at R1199 with a 1-year warranty.

## Frequently asked questions

### How long should a pair of glasses last?

With good care, about two to three years. Frames can last longer. Lenses usually need replacing first, either because your prescription has changed or because of scratches and coating wear.

### Is it bad to wear old glasses?

Wearing an out-of-date prescription will not damage an adult's eyes, but it can cause blur, eye strain and headaches, and it can make driving less safe. In children, the correct prescription matters more, because their vision is still developing.

### Can I get new lenses without a new eye test?

If your prescription is still current, generally within the last two years for adults, new lenses can be made from it. If it is older, you need a new eye test first.

### Why do my glasses not seem strong enough any more?

Your eyes have probably changed. This is normal, especially in children and teenagers, and again after 40 when near vision weakens. Book an eye test to find out what has changed.

## About See Better

See Better is a mobile optometry practice in Gauteng, South Africa. A qualified, HPCSA-registered optometrist travels to the client's home, workplace, school or event, so there is no practice to visit.

- Areas served: Johannesburg, Pretoria (Tshwane), Ekurhuleni (East Rand), the West Rand and the Vaal.
- Eye test at home: R450 (cash price).
- Eye test + frame + single vision lenses + tint: R1199 (cash price).
- Eye test + frame + bifocal lenses + tint: R1699 (cash price).
- Eye test + frame + multifocal lenses + tint: R2099 (cash price).
- All glasses carry a 1-year warranty.
- We are registered with most medical aids and charge at medical aid tariffs.
- Book on WhatsApp: +27 66 181 8667 (https://wa.me/27661818667)
- Email: info@seebetter.co.za
- Website: https://seebetter.co.za/