 Oh no! Your favorite pair of eyeglasses is not functioning quite up to par. What do you do? Well, we definitely don’t suggest tossing out any glasses that need repairing. Many ophthalmic eyewear as well as sunglasses can actually be fixed quite easily at home or with a quick trip to an optician nearby. First and foremost, there are a few things that can typically go wrong with your glasses. We can give you some insight on what may be wrong with them, what you need or where you may have to go in order to have that eyewear happily back on your face! *(Be cautious of your warranty and what is or is not covered if you attempt to fix anything yourself.) • Bent or Broken Temple (AKA, the arm) – If one, or both, of your eyewear temples are bent, they can easily be bent back into shape by an optician with a special high tech heat device which can easily allow the repairer to bend the arm back into its correct shape. Although we do not always suggest trying things at home, if you feel you can get the job done without breaking it any further, we suggest aiming a hair dryer a few feet away from the arm and very slightly bending the arm back into the proper position. Be extremely careful as the metal and even the plastic may get hot!!! If the arm/temple is completely broken, it is best not to glue pieces together. You are much safer and better off going to your local eyewear retailer and seeing if a replacement part is covered under warranty, or ordering a new piece altogether. • Too Loose/Too Tight on the Face – This too is quite an easy fix. It is actually normal to have daily “wear and tear” on your eyeglasses. If you are constantly taking your glasses on and off your face, or letting them rest on the top of your head, this can stretch out the glasses and loosen them up. It is easier to fix glasses that are too loose rather than too tight. If your glasses suddenly become too tight, make sure they have not been altered or broken accidentally. Too tight of a frame may also be a sign that the frame sizing is too small for your face, or the shape is not right for your facial structure or size. An optician can heat and bend your frame into the desired tightness (or loosen) at your local eyeglass retailer. • Lost/Loose screw – Many of us do not have the typical tools and knowledge needed to repair screws and other small parts on eyewear. The screws used in each pair of glasses can truly vary in terms of depth and size. It is best to go to your local optician or contact the place of purchase in order to determine what is needed. Although the repair process is usually quick, we do not suggest attempting yourself as using the wrong screw can permanently damage your frame or scratch up your lenses in the process. At OPTX Rhode Island, we pride ourselves on walk-in repairs. If you have any questions about a loose or lost screw, feel free to see any of our opticians Monday-Saturday. • Broken/Missing Nose Piece(s) – This too is actually a quick and easy repair, granted the nose pad housing has not been broken or altered as well. Not having a nose piece on your glasses can damage the skin on your nose and be pretty uncomfortable for a daily wearer. Although many nose pads can be swapped and different sizes can be used, be mindful that certain designers have housing and spacing made specifically for their own parts. Always consult with an optician or your local eyewear shop when replacing nose pieces. • Scratched Lenses – Shoot! Another scratch appeared on your once perfect lenses. Many people struggle with scratches on their lenses on a daily basis. Sometimes the glasses slip out of your hands, are not stored properly or do not have a special outer coating to help prevent deep scratches. There are some tips and tricks clients can try at home before making the trip to your local eyewear shop. We always suggest using a cotton or a microfiber cloth for this process. The first step would be to lightly wash your eyewear with some mild dish soap. If the scratches are still there you can try taking petroleum jelly, non-abrasive toothpaste, or special scratch removing paste (usually found online). Rub the product into the lenses lightly with circular motions with one of the above cloths. Rinse, dry and repeat if necessary! If all else fails, it may be time to consider new lenses. (Or maybe new glasses, because one can never have too many! ) • Dirty/Worn Out Frame – This process can also be done at home. It is quite amazing what a good and thorough cleaning to your eyewear can do. Not only are you washing away build up and bacteria, but you are also prolonging the life of your eyeglasses! We suggest warm water with a mild dish soap as well. Always be sure to dry with a soft cloth. Make sure your glasses can handle the washing process, as some frames are delicate or have special care instructions. Another quick tip is taking a cotton ball soaked with some alcohol and carefully, lightly, rubbing the frame and lenses. Bonus is that this works as a disinfectant as well! Do not over apply any cleaning products on your eyewear, as this too can damage the coating on the frame and more. Always follow manufacturer/ seller directions as some acetate (plastic) frames cannot tolerate alcohol or other cleaning agents. Soap and water is usually the best bet, except for fabric or leather frames, which should probably never be wet or washed.  • Twisted/Crooked eyewear – This can be a sad moment for someone who really loves their eyewear. A twisted or extremely crooked frame can sometimes be irreversible. But, have no fear! Local opticians are trained to work with heavily damaged eyewear and repair processes. With special high tech equipment in-house, OPTX opticians are able to get some extremely bent and twisted glasses fixed in a quick walk-in visit for most patients and clients. Unfortunately if the frame has snapped, we never suggest gluing. In most cases, an optician will do all they can before they suggest ordering a new frame.  At OPTX Rhode Island, we truly pride ourselves on repairing and accommodating all of our customers’ needs. We happily accept walk-ins for consultations and repairs as well, even if you are not a local customer or did not purchase the eyewear from us. It’s quite amazing what can be done in such a short amount of time with the right knowledge, tools and high-tech equipment. Please visit our showroom at our flagship store in Johnston, R.I, and speak to an optician yourself! We are also available via telephone (401-521-OPTX) and ready to assist in any way we can with your eyeglass repairs and eyewear needs!
What's the best part? Most minor repairs are provided as complimentary, whether you purchased the eyewear from us or not! Our opticians and frame stylists are always happy to chat with you and try to find a quick, easy fix to minor eyewear woes at no charge! When in question give us a call and we will happy to discuss the repair options with you or take a look at the frame in our showroom! Look no further, we've got it covered! Although Rhode Island may be the smallest state, we sure have a ton of great things to do here during the fall months. From apples, to pumpkins, to festivals and more, we know what's going on in our little state. Fall time is truly a wonderful time to be in Rhode Island for many reasons. The scenery is absolutely stunning, especially in early fall when the leaves are still changing color. Driving down route 295 in Rhode Island can give you a beautiful peak at our autumn scenery. Aside from just the stunning colors and comfortable fall weather, there’s an abundance of fun for adults, teens and children! Annual Corn Maze (Confreda Farms) Walk, run, stroll! Just try not to get lost! The corn stalks are taller than you and provide a challenging afternoon of strategy and navigation to get to the other side. http://www.confredafarms.com/  Providence Water Fires (Ending November 4th) This is such a beautiful tradition in Rhode Island made better only by the crisp moonlight and chilly temperatures of autumn. Grab a sweater and your walking shoes and enjoy the warm fires on the river, street food, performers and the ambiance of music and brisk weather. waterfire.org/schedule/2017-waterfire-providence-event-schedule/  Dame Farm (Apple Picking - 91B Brown Ave, Johnston, RI 02919) Apple pie? Apple crisp? Caramel apples? Yes please! Made with fresh apples, even better!  Pick Your Own Pumpkins at your Local Farm! (Pezza Farm, 2279 Plainfield Pike, Johnston RI) Find the perfect pumpkin for decorating, pie or jack-o-lanterns! Pick your own!  Factory of Terror + Scary Acres Get your scare on! These two attractions will not disappoint for some spooky Halloween time fun. https://www.scaryacresri.com/  http://www.factoryofterror.com |
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Watch the sky light up at the end of July at the annual fireworks display and feast given by St. Mary's. A Fun street festival surrounds this display featuring Italian fare, food trucks and a campy carnival where you could win the traditional gigantic stuffed animal playing carnival games. Located in Cranston, RI.
Another feast given by St. Rocco's occurs mid August, also features a fantastic fireworks display in Johnston, RI.
Another feast given by St. Rocco's occurs mid August, also features a fantastic fireworks display in Johnston, RI.
6. Drink Del's Lemonade
Need we say more? This frozen concoction is nothing short of magical and certainly a Rhode Island tradition. Del's kiosks are located throughout Rhode Island.
https://dels.com
https://dels.com
5. Enjoy Warmth And Magic of WaterFire
This is a spectacular artistic installment in Rhode Island. During weekends the river basin in Providence is transformed into a beautiful landscape of fiery cauldrons which cast a beautiful glow on the city. A street fair surrounds the area featuring food, shopping, performers and music. Book a reservation at a waterfront table at Cafe Nuovo for dinner then take a gondola ride in the river. This is not to be missed! Schedule of fire lightings here:
http://waterfire.org
http://waterfire.org
4. Drinks With A View
Cocktails or mocktails, enjoy a sunset view of the bay you won't soon forget. Cozy up into a waterfront table or at one of several bars throughout the property and toast to the beautiful colors of a summer sunset. Live music some weekends too.
https://www.41north.com
https://www.41north.com
3. Block Island Day Trip
Hop a ferry and take a short ride over to "The Block." This quaint little island offers food, shopping, great beaches and a historic lighthouse or 2 for touring, photographs and a great hike. Ferries leave from Galilee and other ports on a daily basis. Service back from the island usually stops around 6:00 or 7:00 pm. Perfect day trip! Many fun, affordable and also some upscale hotels on the island offer overnight accommodations so you can make a mini vacay out of the trip if you like!
2. Have A Picnic
So many scenic parks and overlooks by the sea for a picnic, how can you choose? Try this:
http://www.beavertaillight.org
Beavertail lighhouse and park is a pristine area to enjoy an ocean breeze and some gorgeous scenery.
http://www.beavertaillight.org
Beavertail lighhouse and park is a pristine area to enjoy an ocean breeze and some gorgeous scenery.
1. Go To The Beach!
Well this one seems kind of obvious, but we had to rank it at number one! it is the Ocean State after all! Whether it's Narragansett Town Beach, Newport Sachuest Beach or Misquamicut Beach, each location offers a totally different experience and complete relaxation and enjoyment. Most beaches feature pavilions for convenience of rest rooms, food purchase, etc.
Enjoy an inside view of the glamorous and exciting work of TEAM OPTX on the road enjoying philanthropic events, gathering new creative ideas, cultivating future OPTX locales and generally experience everything we love: style, fashion, amazing clients and design! Go on a short journey with our CEO Lynne Diamante and experience the OPTX world!