When your prescription changes, you have two options. Most people only consider one of them.
The Core Difference
Buying new glasses means paying for frames and lenses together. Reglazing means paying for lenses only into frames you already own.
If your frames are in good condition, the frame cost in a new pair is pure overhead. You're paying for something you don't need.
Cost Comparison
New glasses (retail): $250–$800+ for frames + single vision lenses. $500–$1,200+ for frames + progressives.
Reglaze: from $99 for single vision. From $199 for progressives. Free shipping included.
The saving on a typical progressive reglaze versus a new pair is $300–$700.
Quality
Reglazed lenses are the same optical quality as lenses supplied in a new pair of glasses. Our lab House of Vision Labs has supplied Australian optometry practices for 15 years. The lenses meet Australian optical standards.
The difference isn't quality. It's whether you need new frames or not.
Turnaround
New glasses: typically 1–2 weeks from order to collection, often requiring an in-store visit.
Reglaze: post your frames, receive them back within 7-14 business days. No in-store visit required.
When to Buy New
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Your frames are damaged or structurally compromised
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Your frames are cheap injection-moulded plastic (sub-$50 retail value)
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You genuinely want new frames — new style, new fit, a change
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Your frames are very old and the material has degraded
When to Reglaze
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Your prescription changed but your frames are fine
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Your frames are designer, expensive, or hard to replace
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Your frames fit perfectly and you don't want to find a new pair
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You want to save 50–70% compared to a new pair
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You care about not adding frames to landfill unnecessarily
The Honest Answer
For most prescription changes, reglazing is the smarter choice — financially and practically. The only reason it isn't the default is that most people don't know it exists.
Now you do.
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