I have been asked to share how I made the frames work for Mackenzie's special need. After a great deal of thought I have decided to just post the instructions.  I have thought about trying to patent the idea but I don't have the time nor the money.  I have all I need knowing that I made it possible for my little girl to see.  I would like to thank everyone at Duke Superoptics, especially Linda. Without them I would not have been able to do this.  When everyone else said, "I don't know. I have never seen anything like this before", Linda and her co-workers all gathered around and started think of what and how we could make something work. From that brain storming section this is what was developed.

If you use this and it works for your situation, please let me know.  If you need help getting it to work also let me know.  I will do everything I can to help anyone in this position.  I remember all too well how it felt to think no one could help my child but me.  I don't want anyone else to feel that feeling again.

 

Materials list

 

• Eyeglass Frames:  The frame I use is a Solo bambini Toddlers size.  I have done this same thing on Teeny Weeny size frames. Solo has come out with a new style of frame. This same process should work on that frame with some small modification to the frame.

• Nose piece: This is a Zoom replacement part. You may need to have an Optician order them for you. I would order a bag 5 or 8 come in a bag and you will need them. It takes a try or two to get this down.  Have them order  Hilco 36-003.

• Glue: The glue I am using is a gel form of crazy glue.  I would highly suggest the gel type of super glue since it is much easier to work with then the regular liquid super glue.  You will need to do some fancy gluing here.

•  Fine Point marker:  I use a Sharpie permanant marker.  But some form of a fine point marker should work.

• Scissors:  A good pair of scissors.  A sharp pair it will make your life easier.

• Emory boards:  A fine grit and a medium grit emory board to finish off the sanding.

• Dremal:   A dremal tool with a medium sanding drum. 

Once you have all your materials, you are ready to start. It is really important that you remember one rule, take your time!  You will probably have to change the nose piece about ever two months.  So you will get pretty good at this fast.  I can do a new nose piece in about one hour, but the first time it took all day.  Also if the first one or two are not perfect, it's not a big deal because you will have to change it out soon anyway.  Instruction for changing the nose piece are at the bottom of the page.  If you need to get in touch with me with questions or help, please feel free to contact me at tsizemore@nc.rr.com

 

Good luck

 

 

Step 1

Start by taking the nose piece and pre-fitting it to the frame. It should fit nicely to the frame with a lot of extra nose piece on the bottom.

 

Step 2

Use the marker (Sharpie) to mark where you are going to cut the extra off the bottom. Leave yourself a little extra, but you want have enough to rap under the bottom of the frame so you have a comfortable fit for the little one.

 

Sample cut lines.

Draw the line all the way across the nose piece giving it a upward curve at the back where it will rest on the face of the child.

 

Step 3

Cut the extra off with the scissors.  Try to cut them evenly side to side as you can. This will cut down on the shaping.

 

Step 4

Sand the cut ends of the nose piece. You want to slop the inside edges so that when it sets on the child face it is smooth.  I use a Dremal tool with a medium sanding drum.  I use a very low speed and take very small amounts off at a time.  Be very careful!  The Dremal will grab the nose piece and pull it out of your hand.  You can do this with the Emery board to sand, but it may take a while.  If you do use the emery board sand, move the board in same direction.

 

You now need to check the fit of the upper part of the nose piece to the frame. It may need to have about a 1/32 of an inch shaved off from each side. Use the marker (Sharpie) one more time to give yourself a line to go by.  Using the Dremal with the same sanding drum working in one direction shave off small amounts from each side then recheck the fit.  Be careful here you can take off to much.

 

Step 5

Check the fit one more time.  At this point, you should have nose piece that fits well into the frame. You have to bend the bottom pieces under to see how they will fit the bottom of the frame.

 

Step 6

Gluing the nose piece on. Use the Gel glue and apply it the base of the nose piece not the frame. You want to cover only where the nose piece will come in contact to the frame but not the entire nose piece. Only apply glue half way down the sides of the nose piece. We will glue the bottom edges after the top of the nose piece dries.

 

Step 7

After the glue has dried, apply glue to the bottom pieces one at a time so you can hold them in place while they dry.  Be careful not to glue your hand to the frame!!!

 

 

Do this on both sides. When you are done let the frame sit for one hour or so the dry fully.

 

 

The finished frame

Front view

 

 

Side View

 

 

 

 

Replacing the nose piece

 

This is not a one shot deal. You can remove the nose piece, clean up the frame and apply a new one when this ones is old and needs to be changed.  As the child grows the nose piece will have to be adjusted.  The nose piece will discolor with time from the oils on your skin, so you will want to change it at that point for general appearance.  Gently peel off the old nose piece with your hands.  I use a sharp razor blade to scrape away the excess glue on the frame but you have to be careful not to cut the frame or scratch the glasses with the razor.  I then use the fine emery board to take down any rough edges left from the glue on the frames, but do not sand outside of where the nose piece will sit.  The new nose piece will hide the sanding marks.