Eyeglasses don’t just help you see better–they can also function as a fun fashion accessory, a way to express your personal style. That’s why many people have multiple pairs of eyeglasses that they wear for different occasions.
Whether you’re primarily wearing glasses for fashion or you need the assistance of corrective lenses to see clearly, one question that you may find yourself asking at some point is: “how many pairs of glasses do I really need?”
The answer, of course, depends on your vision needs, the activities you engage in, your budget and your vision insurance. Even your fashion sense may influence your purchasing decisions when it comes to glasses.
To help you make an informed decision about how many and what type of eyeglasses to purchase, you need to understand the different purposes of eyeglasses. For instance, some wear eyeglasses to correct a refractive error, while other people wear them to reduce digital eye strain. Others wear eyeglasses for protection while doing certain types of physical activities.
You should always consult with your optometrist for guidance about what types of glasses you need. To help you out, Clearfinity Eyecare Optometrist shares a quick guide to different types of glasses below.
Everyday Glasses
Everyday glasses should have functional lenses that will help you accomplish your day-to-day tasks with ease. If you need corrective lenses, this could be a pair of prescription glasses that you use for ordinary activities. Everyday glasses are mainly functional, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be stylish too. You have many types of frames to choose from nowadays, making it easy to find a pair that corrects your vision while also allowing you to express yourself.
Reading Glasses
Count yourself lucky if you didn’t need prescription glasses when you were younger. However, even people with 20/20 vision can expect to experience age-related visual changes after the age of 40. Don’t worry because this is not something out of the ordinary. Virtually everyone will eventually find small print harder to read once they reach a certain age.
This condition is called presbyopia, and it’s a sure sign that you need to undergo an eye exam. You may need a prescription for progressive lenses or custom reading lenses so that reading is comfortable and easy. Reading glasses are quite affordable and are available in a wide variety of styles and colors.
Computer Glasses
Over the past few decades, dependence on digital devices like smartphones, tablets and computers has increased exponentially. People who spend hours every day in front of these screens may experience digital eye strain. Symptoms of this condition typically include dry and irritated eyes, blurred vision, headaches and light sensitivity.
If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s best to visit an eye doctor so that you can also rule out other possible eye conditions. Once digital eye strain is confirmed, your doctor may prescribe computer eyeglasses. These are available as either single vision lenses or progressive lenses depending on your visual needs.
Occupational or “office” progressive lenses will allow you to see clearly at varying distances, which can relieve the discomfort of digital eye strain. To achieve maximum comfort, you might want to consider adding anti-reflective coating to your computer glasses. Many eye care specialists recommend a blue light screening component to protect your eyes against UV radiation and high-energy visible blue light that’s emitted by device screens.
Fashion
Eyeglasses can also be worn as a fashion accessory. In fact, even people without vision problems sometimes choose to wear eyeglasses simply for style reasons. Whatever your reasons for wearing eyeglasses, consider investing in a pair with an anti-reflective coating. This way, they won’t just reflect your sense of style–they’ll also protect your eyes from blue light rays or even UV rays.
Sunglasses
Sunglasses can be worn as a fashion accessory too. However, they also offer a very specific purpose, which is to protect your eyes against the harmful UV rays of the sun. You should always wear sunglasses when outside, particularly when the sun is high in the sky. Just make sure you choose sunglasses that provide UV protection.
Sports Glasses
Thousands of sports-related eye injuries occur every year, and some of these injuries are the result of people wearing the wrong type of eyewear. If you engage in sports or other physical activities, make sure that you wear the appropriate eyewear and that it meets the safety and performance standards required for sports and athletic use. Take note that sports eyewear is typically made with highly durable, impact-resistant materials. Your sports eyewear should also fit well and be comfortable to wear. Some examples of protective sports glasses include safety glasses and goggles, eye guards and safety shields.
Additionally, keep in mind that your sports eyewear should be appropriate for the time of day when you will use it. For example, if you are biking at night, make sure to use clear, wrap-around lenses that will protect your eyes from dust and debris. Consult with your optician regarding the best type of eyewear for the activities you often do.
Every optometrist at Clearfinity Eyecare Optometrist is committed to providing quality eye care and vision correction services. We ensure a personalized experience for every patient that comes to our clinic, enabling us to offer the best solutions to their needs. Our services include eye exams, pre- and post-operative care for laser vision correction patients more. We also provide eyeglasses and contact lenses. Call us at (703) 2935222 or fill out our contact form to request an appointment. We serve customers in Newington and Lorton, VA.
