Replace Sunglasses Lenses or Buy New? A South African Cost Guide

Should you replace sunglasses lenses or buy new? You drop your favourite sunnies on a gravel road, the lens picks up a scratch across your line of sight, and your first instinct is to buy another pair. The answer is not always the obvious one.

With Black Friday landing on Friday 27 November 2026, according to Public Holidays South Africa, a lot of us will be tempted to bin the old pair. Let's do the maths properly first, lekker and honest.

Should you replace sunglasses lenses or buy new?

You should replace the lenses when the frame is still straight, tight and comfortable, and buy a new pair when the frame itself is damaged. The lenses are the part that scratches, but the frame is the part that fits your face.

A frame you have already dialled in for your head shape, nose bridge and helmet is worth keeping. A brand new frame often needs a bit of breaking in.

Situation	Best move	Why
Scratched or peeling lenses, frame in good shape	Replace lenses	You keep the fit and only pay for the part that failed
Cracked, bent or loose frame	Buy new	New lenses will not seat or stay put in a damaged frame
Premium or sentimental frame, such as an Oakley or Ray-Ban	Replace lenses	The frame is the expensive, hard to replace part
Budget frame where new costs about the same as polarised lenses	Buy new	Little or no saving from replacing
Wombat Glitch 2.0 with scratched lenses	Replace lenses	R495 for lenses against R945 for a new pair

Is it cheaper to replace sunglasses lenses or buy new in South Africa?

Replacing is cheaper when the frame is worth keeping. At Wombat Gear, replacement lenses cost between R495 and R1,050 a pair, depending on the lens type. The number that matters is the gap between that price and a brand new pair of the same quality.

Here is what is live on the site today:

Option	Price
Glitch replacement lenses (Glitch 2.0, polarised mirror options)	R495
The Glitch 2.0 (complete pair)	R945
Custom cut lenses: clear, non polarised	R495
Custom cut lenses: polarised	R895
Custom cut lenses: polarised mirrored	R975
Custom cut lenses: photochromic grey, non polarised	R1,050

The Glitch 2.0 is the clearest win. Fresh lenses cost R450 less than a whole new pair, and the frame stays on your face.

The custom cut route is different. A polarised pair at R895 is only R50 under the price of a new Glitch 2.0, so replacing only makes sense if you love the frame, or the frame costs a lot more than that to replace.

When is it worth buying new instead?

Buying new is worth it when the frame is damaged, uncomfortable or cheap enough that replacing lenses saves you almost nothing. My rule of thumb is simple: if the lenses cost more than about two thirds of a new pair, think hard before replacing.

Frame problems

Cracked temples, a warped bridge or hinges that will not hold tension are all reasons to retire the pair. Forcing a lens into a frame that has lost its shape can crack the lens or split the frame.

Wrong fit or wrong job

If the sunnies always slipped on sweaty climbs, new lenses will not fix that. You are better off choosing a better fitting pair, and our guide on how to stop sunglasses slipping when you sweat shows what to look for.

Do scratched sunglasses lenses actually matter for your eyes?

Light scratches are mostly an annoyance, but heavy scratching or damaged coatings are worth acting on. The American Academy of Ophthalmology says that light scratches will not change the prescription or protective features of a lens, while extensive scratches or loss of coatings can impair clarity of vision, as set out on its ask an ophthalmologist page.

UV is the bigger reason to keep decent lenses on your face. Specsavers South Africa notes that UV radiation damage builds up over your lifetime and can have a permanent effect on your eyes and vision, and advises lenses that block 99% to 100% of UVA and UVB rays, per its summer eye protection advice.

If a scratch sits right in your line of sight on the bike, the road or the water, replace the lens. For anything clinical, such as blurred vision or eye pain, see an optometrist. Before you give up on a pair, read our guide to cleaning sunglasses lenses without wrecking them, because grit and the wrong cloth cause plenty of scratches.

How does Nyoo lens replacement work for Oakley, Ray-Ban and other frames?

Nyoo Custom is Wombat Gear's service that cuts and fits brand new lenses into the frames you already own. You order at wombatgear.co.za, choose a lens colour, and a prepaid courier collects your frames from your door.

Technicians at a registered optical lab then trace, cut and fit the lenses, and the finished pair is couriered back. Wombat Gear says 99% of frames are eligible, and you can check yours through the Lens Finder, WhatsApp or by emailing a photo.

Lenses are listed as polarised, scratch resistant, highly impact resistant and CAT3 UV400, and each lens we cut carries a 12 month guarantee. Browse the Oakley and Ray-Ban lens range, or read our full list of Oakley replacement lenses in South Africa.

Is replacing lenses better for the environment than buying new?

Replacing lenses keeps a working frame in use instead of sending the whole pair to a drawer or landfill. That is the logic behind Nyoo, and it is common sense rather than a measured saving.

I could not find a reliable South African figure for how much eyewear ends up as waste, so I am not going to invent one. What we can say honestly is that a frame you keep wearing is a frame you do not need to manufacture, ship and replace.

What should you do before Black Friday on 27 November 2026?

Sort your pile of old sunnies before Black Friday on 27 November 2026, so you know which pairs deserve new lenses and which belong in the recycling bin. Check each frame for cracks, wobble and fit, then match the damage to the table above.

If you do buy new, choose lenses that state UV400 and polarisation, and a frame built for your sport. If you replace, allow a week or so for the lab, plus a little extra courier time in December.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I get Oakley lenses replaced in South Africa?

Wombat Gear's Nyoo Custom service cuts new lenses for Oakley, Ray-Ban and most other frames. You order online, a prepaid courier collects your frames, a registered optical lab cuts and fits the lenses, and they come back to you. Lenses are typically back in around a week.

How much do replacement sunglasses lenses cost in South Africa?

At Wombat Gear, custom cut replacement lenses cost R495 for clear non polarised, R895 for polarised, R975 for polarised mirrored and R1,050 for photochromic grey. Lenses for The Glitch 2.0 cost R495. Prices change, so check the product page before ordering.

Can scratched sunglasses lenses damage my eyes?

Light scratches will not change a lens's protective features, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Extensive scratching or lost coatings can impair clarity, though. If glare or distortion bothers you while driving or training, replace the lenses and speak to an optometrist about any vision concerns.

Can I replace the lenses in cheap sunglasses?

Often you can, but it rarely makes financial sense. If a new pair costs about the same as a polarised lens replacement, buying new is usually simpler. Replacement is best for frames you love, premium frames, or models where the lenses are the expensive part.

What if my sunglasses frame is bent or cracked?

Replace the whole pair. A bent or cracked frame will not seat new lenses properly, and forcing a lens in can crack the lens or split the frame. A loose, warped frame also slips during sport, which defeats the point of the upgrade.

Do replacement lenses give the same UV protection as new sunglasses?

Lenses rated UV400 block UV light up to 400 nanometres, which is the level you want. Wombat Gear's custom cut lenses and Glitch replacement lenses are listed as CAT3 UV400. Always check that any replacement lens states UV400 or 100% UVA and UVB protection.

How long do replacement lenses take to arrive?

For Wombat Gear's custom cut service, the courier collects your frames within one to two days and the new lenses are typically back with you in around a week. Allow a little extra time around Black Friday and the December holidays, and ask on WhatsApp if you are in a hurry.

Ready to give your sunnies a second life?

If your frame still has lekker miles left, check eligibility and order custom cut replacement lenses from Wombat Gear. Rocking a Glitch? Grab Glitch replacement lenses for R495. And if the old pair really is done, have a look at our sport sunglasses. #justbelekker #risetheunderdog