If you’ve been to the optometrist for new glasses recently, you might be wondering what to do with your old spectacles. You can make use of old eyeglasses, whether you value social justice, recycling, or just having fun with your family.
Keep Them
If you’ve just upgraded to a nice new frame, but your prescription is the same, you might be tempted to toss your old glasses in the trash. That’s not always a good idea, especially if you need to wear your glasses all the time. If you were to break or lose your newer glasses, you might not be able to function until you obtain replacements. Even living near a “one-hour” eyeglasses store is no guarantee they’ll be open when you need them.
Donate Them
If your prescription has changed, or you already have a backup pair of eyeglasses, donate your glasses to a charity such as the Lions Club. These charities give your old glasses to people in the developing world, where, according to the World Health Organization, the ratio of optometrists to people may be greater than 1 to 600,000. WHO reports that in these areas, uncorrected minor vision problems — known as “refractive error” — are a major cause of preventable blindness.
Play Dress Up
If you have children or grandchildren you can use old glasses for dress-up, especially around holidays such as Halloween. Many children enjoy putting on Mommy’s and Daddy’s glasses. Some glasses are also good for certain costumes; for example, horn-rimmed glasses work well with ’50s poodle skirts. To avoid giving the wearer headaches and to avoid the risk of injury, take lenses out of the glasses before playing with them.
Give Them as Gifts
If you have old reading glasses, family members or friends who find themselves struggling to read small text may really appreciate your old specs, especially if finances are an issue. GlassesCrafter suggest that reading glasses can make good gag gifts for those experiencing milestone birthdays, such as the 40th or 50th. Make sure the recipient would appreciate the gift before you give it; not everyone enjoys being teased.