Eyeglasses are very popular and irreplaceable for many. With the advancement in technology, modern spectacles are being crafted to look good. This has caused people without vision problems to buy non-prescription glasses to follow fashion trends. There are also other glasses with specific functions. These become popular depending on their needs. For example, the popularity of blue light glasses in Australia can be attributed to the fact that Australians are exposed to blue light for over one-third of a day on average.
With the introduction of a huge variety of lenses and frames with a large variety of purposes, choosing the right specs can be a challenging task. Here are some of the common classifications and types of glasses available today.
Types of Prescription Glasses
Prescription glasses are those that have power. These can be obtained only after visiting an eye doctor or ophthalmologist. They vary mainly based on the type of lens used. The different types are as follows.
- Single Vision Lens – These are the cheapest kind of lens available. These work in correcting vision only at a specific range. This can be either far or near.
- Bifocals – These lenses have two focal points and can incorporate two different “powers” within them. These are often prescribed to older people or people with multiple vision problems.
- Trifocals – As the name suggests, trifocals have three focal points and are similar to the bifocals in that way. The only problem with these kinds of lenses is that they have a line between different fields of vision.
- Progressive – These are a more advanced kind of tri or bifocal lenses. They correct at different distances without having distinct lines between them.
Types of Non-prescription Glasses
These types of glasses are not necessarily for correcting vision. They are tailored to achieve specific tasks and usually don’t require prescriptions. The different types of these glasses are as follows.
Reading Glasses – These are different from other types as they need a prescription, and as the name suggests, they are used for correction in small distances for reading. If the selected glasses cause headaches or any other discomfort, it is advised to consult a doctor and get the power checked.
Blue Light Glasses – These are from the example mentioned above of blue light glasses in Australia and aim to reduce the damage to the eyes from the blue light emitted from screens. These got popular recently with the increasing use of screens. They also help in maintaining a sleep schedule.
Sunglasses – These are very common and are considered to be part of an outfit in some cases. Even though their primary purpose is to protect the eyes from sunlight, they’ve evolved to become more of a fashion statement. They also have additional specifications like UV protection.
Safety Glasses – Even though these are not considered to be in the same category as other spectacles, safety glasses are extremely important to many professionals dealing with hazardous environments that can damage their eyes. They are very cheap, and their sole purpose is to protect the eyes. If vision correction is also needed, some varieties can be worn over normal spectacles. They can also be fitted with prescription lenses.
Fake Glasses – These glasses are purchased just for cosmetic purposes. They can also protect the eye to an extent and may serve as safety glasses in some situations.
Proper maintenance of glasses is also vital to achieving the right power correction. Good care of the glasses should be taken while leaving complex procedures to the professionals.