If you’ve ever stripped a tiny eyeglass screw trying to force the wrong screwdriver into it, you already know why size matters more in optical repair than almost any other trade. Eyeglass screws are measured in fractions of a millimeter, and a mismatch damages both the screw and the frame threading.
### Common Screw Types You’ll Encounter
Most eyeglass frames use either flathead (–) or Phillips-style (+) micro screws, though some premium and rimless frames use hex or specialty heads. This is why a dual-head (+/-) screwdriver is the standard starting tool for any repair counter — it covers the two most common types without needing to switch tools mid-repair.
### Matching Screwdriver Tip Width to Screw Slot
A tip that’s too wide won’t seat properly in the slot and will slip, rounding out the screw head. A tip that’s too narrow twists inside the slot without gripping. The safest approach is to keep a small range of tip widths on hand rather than relying on a single “universal” driver, which rarely fits every frame perfectly.
### Why Precision Matters More Than Price
A cheap screwdriver with soft metal tips wears down after repeated use and starts slipping on screws it used to handle fine. For a shop doing repairs daily, investing in a hardened-tip precision set pays for itself by reducing stripped screws and re-do repairs.
### Building a Basic Screwdriver Kit
For most general optical shops, a solid starting kit includes:
– A dual-function (+/-) driver for everyday hinge and temple screws
– A finer precision driver for smaller rimless frame screws
– A magnetic tip to avoid dropping tiny screws mid-repair
Stocking the right sizes isn’t just about doing the repair correctly — it’s about doing it fast, in front of the customer, without a second trip to find the right tool.
