The kind of eyeglasses you need depends on several factors, from the type of vision problem you have to your lifestyle. Some people wear eyeglasses to correct their vision, while others wear them to reduce digital eye strain or as protection against harmful ultraviolet radiation.
Can you get by with a single pair of eyeglasses or would you be better off with several? How many pairs of glasses should one person own? Find out from your local eye specialist.
Different Types of Glasses
Sunglasses
Sunglasses can be a fun fashion accessory, but they also serve an important function of protecting your eyes from the damaging effects of the sun’s UV rays. Some prescription eyeglasses have tints and 100 percent UV-blocking lenses.
Computer Glasses
Prolonged use of digital devices can cause eye strain and discomfort. People who work on computers can develop digital eye strain. This eye condition is characterized by dry and irritated eyes, blurred vision, photophobia or light sensitivity and headaches.
To manage digital eye strain, your eye doctor may prescribe single vision lenses for computer glasses. Occupational or office progressive lenses are another option that allow wearers to see clearly at different distances to ease the discomfort of computer vision syndrome or digital eye strain. To increase comfort, these glasses should have anti-reflective coating. Eye specialists also recommend adding a blue light screening feature for UV radiation and blue light protection.
Reading Glasses
Over-the-counter reading glasses are easy to find and aren’t that expensive. You can find them in your local eye clinic, malls, gift shops and even in grocery stores. They come in a wide range of options to fit different styles and personalities. You can even use them as a fashion accessory.
Sports Glasses
According to a study published by JAMA Ophthalmology, around 30,000 people are sent to emergency rooms in the US every year due to sports-related eye injuries. To avoid eye injuries when participating in sports, you should wear eyewear that meets safety and performance standards for sports and athletic use. Many sports-related eye injuries are preventable by wearing the proper eyewear.
Protective sports eyeglasses include safety glasses, goggles, safety shields and eye guards. These products are created from sturdy materials and made for impact resistance and durability. Aside from giving added protection against sun, water and wind, these eyeglasses are also designed for optimal comfort.
What Type of Eyeglasses Should You Get?
Consider Your Daily Activities
When choosing eyeglasses, consider your everyday activities. For example, if you’re an athlete, go for a pair of prescription sports glasses that you can use outdoors, in the gym or for other strenuous activities.
It’s hard to enjoy physical activities when you can’t see properly. You may need to use a shield to prevent eye injuries if you participate in winter activities like snowboarding, downhill skiing, skating or even snowball fights. If you’re in the home improvement business or do construction work, consider investing in impact-resistant glasses.
Complete Your Look
Why not invest in a few different styles of eyeglasses just like your shoes and clothes? With more options, you can choose a pair that best suits your outfit each day. Your eyeglass frame can complete your look. For instance, thick-rimmed glasses look good with office wear. However, this style could clash with your evening dress. Choose a few frames that complement the clothes you usually wear.
If you spend a lot of time outdoors, you’ll need quality sunglasses. Prescription sunglasses are especially useful when you’re driving. They will allow you to enjoy the outside world with clear vision. Some people can also benefit from special lenses for indoor activities like computer use. These glasses help minimize the harmful effects of blue light from digital screens.
For Unexpected Situations
Regular prescription eyeglass wearers often experience trouble navigating their surroundings without their glasses. If you find it difficult to function without your contacts or glasses, then it’s not a bad idea to have an extra pair in case you forget, lose, or break your main pair of eyeglasses.
Not wearing your eyeglasses can be uncomfortable, inconvenient and even dangerous. You can experience headaches from attempting to see clearly and focus. You may bump into objects and people. With at a backup pair, you can go on with your daily routine with no issue.
Even if you primarily wear contact lenses, you should still have at least one pair of eyeglasses as a backup. Your eye doctor may instruct you to not wear your contacts for a few days due to certain eye conditions. Pink eye, dry eye and abrasions may require you to take a break from contact lens wear. Make it a habit to regularly see your eye doctor for an eyeglass or contact eye exam.
Children Should Have Extra Pairs Too
Children should have at least three pairs of eyeglasses. Young children move around constantly, always seeking adventures due to their curiosity. Children are prone to losing or damaging their eyeglasses. Vision issues can affect your child’s performance at school and play. Make sure they have multiple pairs to ensure no disruption in their learning.
Tips for Choosing Eyeglasses
Choose Frames that Complement Your Face Shape
Square or rectangular frames look great on people with round faces. If you have an oval face, go for wider geometric frames and avoid oversized ones. An oval or round frame can help soften the angles of a square face. For those with a diamond face, cat eyeglasses and oval frames can highlight your cheekbones and delicate facial features. Round or square glasses with curved edges will take the focus away from your forehead if you have a heart-shaped face.
Consider Your Skin Tone
You have a warm complexion if you have a yellow, golden or bronze cast to your skin. Those with a warm skin tone may want to avoid frames in pastels, white or black. The best frame colors for this skin tone are browns, gold, honey, beige, olive green and light tortoise. People with cool complexion have pink or blue undertones to their skin. If you have a cool skin tone, go for frame colors like silver, black, pink, blue, mauve, purple and gray.
What’s Your Personality?
Your eyeglasses can say a lot about you. You can have glasses that show off more of your adventurous side on the weekends and another pair for the work week that says you mean business. Choose colors you love as long as they complement your skin tone. You can also keep a collection of glasses in your closet so you’ll have options for every mood or activity.
