Repairing your glasses in Paris: what you really can do (and what you can't)
A temple that snaps one morning, a screw that no one can find, a frame bent out of shape by two years of being shoved in a backpack. The first instinct is often to go buy a new pair. Sometimes that’s the right choice. Often, it isn't.
At Ekla, we repair glasses. It’s a service we have always offered—and one we offer more and more often, because that’s what customers are looking for. Not necessarily to save money, even if that’s a factor. Rather, because some frames have a history, and we prefer to save them whenever possible.
This guide covers what an optician can really do, what isn't worth repairing, and how the process works with us. So you have a clear idea before you walk through our doors.
What an optician can really repair
There are two main categories of repairs in optics: those any optician can do in a few minutes, and those that require equipment and real technical expertise.
Common procedures require neither a waiting period nor an appointment. At our shops, we do them the same day, often immediately. These include worn or lost nose pads, loose or detached screws, damaged temple tips, cleaning in an ultrasonic bath for a grimy frame, and adjusting frames that have lost their shape.
More technical repairs require specific equipment and time. Completely refurbishing a metal frame involves polishing and re-plating or re-lacquering—this is what gives an old frame that "like-new" look. For plastic frames, it means polishing and buffing. Replacing a hinge on a frame with a broken pivot, extracting a broken screw from its housing, or soldering a temple on a metal or titanium frame: these are precise interventions that are barely visible when done well.
An opinion we stand by: a frame that is refurbished and worn for another ten years is a frame that isn't thrown away. It’s a decision few retailers help you make—because their business model is based on selling you a new pair.
What we can't do — and why it's important to say so clearly
There are cases where a repair isn't worth it. At our shops, we tell you straight.
A plastic frame broken in two—cut clean at the bridge or temple—cannot be repaired durably. The structure is compromised. You can glue it, but it won't hold. In that case, we will tell you after a diagnosis and discuss replacement if you wish.
A cracked or shattered lens is not part of our repair service. Lenses are another trade within the trade: replacing a prescription lens requires a prescription, fitting, and a check-up. We do it, but it’s a separate service.
Concretely, for a very old frame where the acetate has become brittle, the colors have faded too much, or the structure has been under too much stress: we can examine it and tell you if a refurbishment would yield a satisfactory result. If the answer is no, we will let you know.
The process with us — from arrival to pick-up
No appointment to make, no forms to fill out. You come to the shop with your frame, we take a look. It takes a few minutes.
The diagnosis is free. We tell you what we can do, what we can't, and what it costs if a paid repair is an option. Nothing is started without your approval.
For small repairs—adjustments, screws, nose pads, cleaning—it’s often done on the spot. For more technical repairs, we give you a timeframe and call you when it’s ready.
We see this often in our shops: people arrive feeling a bit ashamed with their bent frames, as if it were bad news. It’s almost never bad news.
Repair or replace? The decision-making grid
This is the real question, and it deserves an honest answer. Here is how we frame it at Ekla when a customer asks us.
Repairing is worth it if:
- The frame is less than 5-6 years old and in good overall condition
- The lenses are still the right prescription—changing them along with the frame isn't urgent
- The frame has sentimental value or is hard to find (designer, discontinued model, vintage)
- The damage is localized and does not compromise the structure
Consider replacement if:
- The frame is broken in two or structurally compromised
- The acetate has become brittle, or the colors are too aged for a clean refurbishment
- Your prescription has changed and you need new lenses—you might as well start with a complete set
In practice, it’s rarely black or white. We talk about it in the shop, with the frame in front of us.
Repairing, upcycling: the same philosophy
There is a common thread between repair and upcycling—and it is one of the reasons why we carry Lesca in our two shops.
Lesca is one of the few houses that refurbishes its own vintage frames: polishing the acetate, replacing damaged temples. This isn't a mass-market service—it’s a practice ingrained in the brand's DNA since its beginnings in the 1960s.
At Ekla, we do the same with our repair and refurbishment service: we bring life back to frames that would otherwise end up in the trash. This isn't a marketing gimmick. It’s the way we’ve chosen to work, and it aligns with our philosophy on our craft.
Designer eyewear, as we conceive it, is the opposite of fast fashion. A Lesca frame, a Lindberg frame—they can be repaired, refurbished, and they last.
Practical information
At Ekla, we perform repairs without an appointment from Tuesday to Saturday in our two shops. Stop by with your frame, and we’ll perform an on-site diagnosis.
For detailed rates and a complete list of services, visit our glasses repair page.
📍 Ekla Paris 10 — 84, rue d'Hauteville, 75010 Paris — 01 42 28 90 89
📍 Ekla Paris 11 — 147, rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine, 75011 Paris — 01 56 61 00 00
🕐 Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to make an appointment for a repair at Ekla?
No, no appointment is necessary. We provide a free on-site diagnosis from Tuesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., in both our 10th and 11th district shops.
Does Ekla repair glasses bought elsewhere?
Yes. We accept all brands, regardless of where they were purchased. What matters is the frame—not its origin.
How long does a glasses repair take?
An adjustment or a screw replacement: often immediate. A solder or a full refurbishment: a few days depending on our workload. We will give you a specific timeframe on-site during your free diagnosis.
Is the repair reimbursed by my health insurance?
Generally no. Health insurance covers optical equipment (frames + lenses) but not repair costs. If your glasses were purchased at Ekla, post-purchase adjustments are included and free—check your warranty.