"The optician won't replace the lenses in my sunglasses": why it happens and what you can do
Published November 2026 · ReFramed Lens Lab, Providencia (20+ years in optics)
Optical chains usually refuse to replace sunglass lenses because they do not cut sun curves for frames they did not sell, and Ray-Ban or Oakley warranties do not cover scratches. The way out is a custom-cut workshop: ReFramed cuts new lenses for your exact model in Santiago, Chile, with a 1-year warranty, and ships to the US by DHL Express.
Why the optician says no
Three reasons come up again and again. The lens curve: a sunglass lens is cut on a base curve the store's lab may not stock. The brand: many chains only service frames they sold, because they cannot source original lenses for the rest. The responsibility: fitting a lens into a frame the store did not sell means taking on a frame they cannot replace if it cracks. None of this means your frame is finished; it means you need a lab that works from the frame itself.
Does the Ray-Ban or Oakley warranty cover scratched lenses?
No. Oakley's published US warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship for two years and states that it "does not cover scratched lenses". Ray-Ban's coverage works the same way for factory defects; we explain it in does the Ray-Ban warranty cover scratched lenses. A scratch from use is wear, not a defect, so the claim is denied and the frame stays with you.
What a warranty does cover
| Situation | Brand warranty | What to do | Typical cost at ReFramed (CLP) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lens scratched from use | No | Replace the lenses, keep the frame | From $39,900 per pair |
| Lens coating peeling or delaminating within the warranty period | Usually yes, as a defect | Claim with proof of purchase first | — |
| Wrong lenses delivered by a store | Store's responsibility | Ask the store to correct the order | — |
| Broken frame | Only if it is a defect | Local optician for hinges and temples; no lens fixes a broken front | — |
| Discontinued model | No lenses from the brand | Custom-cut lenses from the frame | From $39,900 per pair |
Check that your frame is genuine before ordering lenses
A replica frame can still take new lenses, but the code inside the temple is what we cut from, so read it first. Our guide on how to tell if your Ray-Bans or Oakleys are real walks through the seven checks.
Replacement lenses for Ray-Ban and Oakley frames: which models and how much
ReFramed cuts lenses for 32 Ray-Ban models and the main Oakley frames, from the Original Wayfarer RB2140 to the Holbrook OO9102. A pair costs CLP 39,900 in 1 mm polarized plastic, 49,900 in CR-39 organic and 59,900 in CR-39 Elite polarized, charged in Chilean pesos. Browse Ray-Ban replacement lenses and Oakley replacement lenses.
What can be repaired and what cannot
Lenses are replaced, never polished. Hinges, screws, temples and nose pads are mechanical and a local optician can usually fix them. A cracked front or a frame warped by heat is the one case where a new frame wins; the full breakdown is in our glasses repair guide.
Your questions
Can I force the store to replace my sun lenses?
No, unless the lenses have a defect covered by the warranty. Replacing scratched lenses is a service the store can decline.
What if the store delivered the wrong lenses?
That is the store's order to correct; ask them in writing with your receipt.
Does ReFramed work on frames from any store?
Yes. Any brand and any origin, as long as the frame is in good condition; we inspect it on arrival and tell you before cutting if we see a risk.
Do I lose the brand warranty if I replace the lenses?
Oakley's warranty terms exclude damage caused by non-Oakley lenses or unauthorized modification; by the time lenses are scratched, there is usually nothing left to claim. Check your brand's terms before deciding.
How long does it take?
We ship to the US within 15 days of receiving your frame; DHL Express delivers in 3–5 business days. Mail-in details on the lens replacement service page.
Sources: Oakley, Warranty (oakley.com/en-us/support/warranty, read 16-oct-2026); ReFramed official data sheet. General information, not legal advice.