Eyeglasses evolved from emerald stones to modern vision correction devices through centuries of innovation and craftsmanship.
Early Development
Reading Stones → First Lenses
Italian monks crafted the first ground lenses from beryl and quartz in the 13th century. These primitive magnifying glasses helped far-sighted readers see text more clearly. The Murano glassworks in Italy became the sole manufacturer of the soft glass needed for lenses.
Frames → Modern Design
The first wearable frames emerged in 1284 in Italy. Spanish craftsmen created the initial temple designs in the 1600s using silk ribbons looped over ears. By 1727, British optician Edward Scarlett invented the modern over-ear design.
Materials and Innovation
Glass → Plastic Evolution
Early lenses used heavy glass in frames made of wood, lead, or copper. The 1940s saw the introduction of acrylic lenses in England, though they proved too brittle and prone to scratching. Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company revolutionized the industry in 1962 with CR-39, the first practical lightweight plastic lens.
Modern Improvements
Polycarbonate lenses arrived in the 1980s, offering superior impact resistance. The Optima HYPERINDEX 1.66 lens in 1992 achieved remarkable thinness – 45% thinner than conventional plastic and 80% lighter than glass.
Common Issues
Comfort Challenges
Users report several recurring problems:
- Frame pressure on nose bridge and ears causing headaches
- Fogging from humidity
- Peripheral vision limitations
- Difficulty during sports activities
Vision Quality
Varifocal wearers sometimes struggle with:
- Blurred vision in certain head positions
- Limited viewing angles
- Adaptation periods
Safety Standards
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration established the Drop Ball Test in 1972, requiring all eyeglass lenses to meet minimum shatter-resistance standards. This regulation ensures public eye safety while maintaining optical clarity.
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glasses
- https://www.windhoek-optics.com/index.php/2015-09-03-10-59-08/historical-timeline-on-lenses
- https://www.zeiss.co.uk/vision-care/eye-health-and-care/understanding-vision/the-history-of-glasses.html
- https://www.eyecentersurgeons.com/different-types-of-eyeglasses/
- https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2735575/dilemma-about-my-new-varifocal-glasses
- https://www.waltonvision.com/blog/common-complaints-about-eyeglasses-and-contact-lenses/
- https://www.salus.edu/news-stories/2019/03/the-quest-for-clearer-vision-the-history-of-eyeglasses.html
- https://bigthink.com/high-culture/ernest-hemingway-writing-tips/
Glasses, also known as eyeglasses and spectacles, are vision eyewear with clear or tinted lenses mounted in a frame that holds them in front of a person's eyes, typically utilizing a bridge over the nose and hinged arms, known as temples or temple pieces, that rest over the ears.
| Glasses | |
|---|---|
 Two pairs of modern glasses | |
| Other names | Eyeglasses, spectacles |
| Specialty | Ophthalmology, optometry |
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Glasses are typically used for vision correction, such as with reading glasses and glasses used for nearsightedness; however, without the specialized lenses, they are sometimes used for cosmetic purposes.
Safety glasses provide eye protection against flying debris for construction workers or lab technicians; these glasses may have protection on the sides of the eyes as well as in the lenses. Some types of safety glasses are used to protect against visible and near-visible light or radiation. Glasses are worn for eye protection in some sports, such as squash.
Glasses wearers may use a strap to prevent the glasses from falling off. Wearers of glasses that are used only part of the time may have the glasses attached to a cord that goes around their neck to prevent the loss and breaking of the glasses.
Sunglasses allow for better vision in bright daylight and are used to protect one's eyes against damage from excessive levels of ultraviolet light. Typical sunglasses lenses are tinted for protection against bright light or polarized to remove glare; photochromic glasses are clear or lightly tinted in dark or indoor conditions, but turn into sunglasses when they come into contact with ultraviolet light. Most over-the-counter sunglasses do not have corrective power in the lenses; however, special prescription sunglasses can be made. People with conditions that have photophobia as a primary symptom (like certain migraine disorders) often wear sunglasses or precision tinted glasses, even indoors and at night.
Specialized glasses may be used for viewing specific visual information, for example, 3D glasses for 3D films (stereoscopy). Sometimes glasses are worn purely for fashion or aesthetic purposes. Even with glasses used for vision correction, a wide range of fashions are available, using plastic, metal, wire, and other materials for frames. Most glasses lens are made of plastic, polyethylene, and glass.