Written and maintained by CASRAI Editorial Board
Last updated
General product information for clinic, lab and supply staff; not medical advice or a fitting guide.
Short answer
The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) lists nine essential parts of eyeglasses: rims, end pieces, bridge, hinges, lenses, screws, nose pads, pad arms and temples. The rims hold the lenses, the bridge joins the two rims and rests on the nose, and end pieces and hinges connect the front to the temples that fit over the ears (AAO, “Learn the Nine Essential Parts of Eyeglasses”, published 2017-11-29, checked 2026-10-30).
Definition and scope
“Eyeglass frame parts” usually means the structure that carries the lenses: rims, bridge, end pieces, hinges, screws, temples and, on frames that have them, nose pads and pad arms. The lenses are the ninth part on the AAO list. This page names each part and its job, then covers the frame materials the AAO describes and the standards that give these parts formal names. It does not cover fitting, adjustment or repair. For lens types see single vision lenses.
The nine parts of eyeglasses
The table follows the AAO’s nine-part list. Every row is the AAO’s description of that part.
| Part | What it is and does (AAO) |
|---|---|
| Rims | Give the glasses their form and style and hold the lenses in place. |
| End pieces | Small frame parts that extend outward and connect the lenses to the temples. |
| Bridge | The center of the frame; rests on the nose and joins the two rims. |
| Hinges | Sit between the end pieces and the temples and let the temples fold inward. |
| Lenses | Held by the rims and shaped to the prescription; made of glass, plastic or other materials. |
| Screws | Small metal fasteners near the hinges that connect the end pieces to the temples. |
| Nose pads | Round plastic pieces under the bridge that rest on the nose for comfort and a secure fit. |
| Pad arms | Extend from the rims to hold the nose pads; adjustable to the shape of the face. |
| Temples | The long side arms that fit over the ears. |
Frame front parts (rims, bridge, end pieces)
The front of the frame is the rims, the bridge and the end pieces. The rims hold each lens, the bridge is the center piece that joins the two rims and rests on the nose, and the end pieces extend outward from the rims to meet the temples. Read as a chain, the parts run from lens to ear as rim, end piece, hinge, temple.
Hinges, screws and temples
Hinges sit between the end pieces and the temples and let the temples fold inward. Small metal screws near the hinges connect the end pieces to the temples. The temples are the long side arms that fit over the ears.
Nose pads and pad arms
Nose pads are round plastic pieces under the bridge that rest on the nose for comfort and a secure fit. Pad arms extend from the rims to hold the nose pads and are adjustable to the shape of the face. The AAO list includes them among the nine parts. Trial frames used in eye exams also carry nose pads, and the optometry clinic supply checklist lists them among clinic supplies.
Frame materials by AAO
The AAO’s separate frame-material page (reviewed by Devin A. Harrison, MD; published 2020-04-22; checked 2026-10-30) describes these materials:
| Material | AAO description |
|---|---|
| Titanium | Very strong, lightweight and corrosion-resistant; also described as hypoallergenic. |
| Monel | Quite flexible and corrosion-resistant; a coating is common and the metal may contain nickel. |
| Stainless steel | Lightweight and strong, but not as light as titanium. |
| Flexon | An alloy of titanium that comes back into shape even after it is twisted or bent. |
| Zyl (zylonite, cellulose acetate) | Inexpensive and lightweight, and comes in many colors. |
| Blended nylon | Strong and lightweight; a popular choice for sports or safety frames. |
| Optyl | A brand of epoxy resin that becomes malleable when heated so an optician can mold it. |
| Plastic | The most popular choice. |
For frames made for protection rather than everyday wear, see prescription safety glasses and ANSI Z87.1; for style and lens differences in sun eyewear see types of sunglasses.
Which standards name these parts (ISO 7998, 8624)
ISO 7998:2005, “Ophthalmic optics – Spectacle frames – Lists of equivalent terms and vocabulary”, is the international vocabulary standard for spectacle frame terms and lists equivalent terms across languages. ISO 8624:2020 (fourth edition, confirmed 2025), “Spectacle frames – Measuring system and vocabulary”, sets out the boxed lens measuring system for frames with symmetrical fronts. Both are published by ISO; the standards are sold, so check the current edition through ISO or a national standards body before citing a clause (catalogue entries checked 2026-10-30).
Common misunderstandings
- The lenses are not part of “the frame”. The AAO counts lenses as one of the nine parts, but they are held by the rims and shaped to the prescription.
- Nose pads are separate pieces. On the AAO parts list they are held by pad arms that extend from the rims.
- End pieces and temples are different parts. End pieces are on the front and connect the lenses to the temples; the temples are the side arms.
- Frame material is not a part. Titanium, Monel, zyl and the rest describe what the parts are made of, not additional parts.
FAQ
What are the parts of eyeglasses?
Rims, end pieces, bridge, hinges, lenses, screws, nose pads, pad arms and temples, per the AAO’s nine-part list.
What are the eyeglass frame parts?
The frame parts are the rims, bridge, end pieces, hinges, screws, temples and nose pads and pad arms. The lenses sit in the rims.
What are the parts of a pair of glasses that connect the front to the ear?
End pieces connect the lenses to the temples, hinges sit between the end pieces and temples, and the temples fit over the ears.
What do eyeglass hinges do?
They sit between the end pieces and the temples and let the temples fold inward; small screws near the hinges connect the end pieces to the temples.
Sources
- American Academy of Ophthalmology, Learn the Nine Essential Parts of Eyeglasses (published 2017-11-29; checked 2026-10-30).
- American Academy of Ophthalmology, How to Choose the Glasses Frame Material That’s Right for You (published 2020-04-22; checked 2026-10-30).
- ISO 7998:2005, Ophthalmic optics – Spectacle frames – Lists of equivalent terms and vocabulary (catalogue entry, checked 2026-10-30).
- ISO 8624:2020, Spectacle frames – Measuring system and vocabulary (catalogue entry, checked 2026-10-30).
