Fascinating Journey of Glasses – From Vision Aid to Fashion Accessory

The first glasses were emerald pieces, which people used to read texts or check the quality of gems. The upper strata of society used the first proper glasses as reading glasses. Now glasses are common and used by people irrespective of glasses. They have become more of a fashion accessory than a vision correction instrument. 

Glasses have a rich history of several centuries, different types of eyeglasses to the modern glasses that we see today.

 

Early Glasses and how it came into existence

The need to see objects clearly like the quality of gems for a jeweler or to read texts clearly. The first noted usage was by Emperor Nero who used emerald as visual aids as mentioned by Pliny, the Elder.

In early twelfth-century people used reading stones, convex lenses to magnify objects to read small texts clearly. Roger Bacon commented on the use of lenses for optical purposes in the 13th century.

First proper glasses

It was in the 13th century that people made the first proper glasses. In Northern Italy, in Pisa, the first glasses were made. It was documented by Giordano da Pisa in 1306 that he met the inventor of glasses and it hasn’t been twenty years that the glasses that were good for vision were made. In 1301, guild regulations were made in Venice on the production and sale of eyeglasses. By the fourteenth century, glasses were very common.

The early glasses were all reading glasses. People used convex lenses used to aid vision for near distance. These glasses were all hand-held and didn’t have arms to fix them on the ear. They consisted of two magnifying lenses held by a rivet, that could sit on the nose. 

Glasses for Myopia and Presbyopia

Johannes Kepler in 1604 discovered that concave lenses could be used to see far distance objects and for myopia and presbyopia eye conditions. He published a paper on how concave lenses and convex lenses can help with presbyopia and myopia.

Later, Benjamin Franklin invented bifocal glasses for myopia and presbyopia. 

Further developments

The frames of glasses also developed in later years. Glasses with straps made of leather were made to put the glasses to place. Early glasses included pince-nez which were held in place by putting pressure on the nose. Glasses with frames that were held by temples passing over the ears were made somewhere before 1727. Surprisingly these glasses frames were not famous. During that time scissor glasses, lorgnettes were fashionable in the 18th century and till the early 19th century.

More Glasses development.

George Airy, a British Astronomer made glasses for treating astigmatism in 1825. 

In the 20th century, spherical lenses dominated the eyeglasses industry for years. In 2008, Joshua Silver, a British physicist made adjustable corrective lenses. This worked with silicon liquid, syringe and pressure mechanism.

After 20th century

It was in the 20th century when contact lenses were made for the use of vision correction after much research and work from the 16th century. Despite the availability of contact lenses and vision correction surgery, glasses are still preferred more.

Over the years the glasses frames have made tremendous changes. From leather straps to wooden frames, to memory-based metals. People made plastic based frames for better comfort and lightweight. Now we have plant-based acetates that are durable as metals and lightweight as plastics. 

Modern Day Glasses

Glasses have changed form. From rivet spectacles to modern-day glasses. There are pince-nez, scissor glasses, monocles that have fade out of fashion Accessory. Modern glasses include aviators, hipster glasses, geometric shape glasses, oversized glasses, cat-eye glasses, tortoiseshell glasses etc.

Glasses fashion Accessory have changed over the eyes and the lenses have become more clear with varied functions. Modern eyeglasses have various properties like cutting glare, blocking blue lights and even UV rays. Varifocal glasses, an advanced form of bifocal glasses, give more clear vision with more comfort. 

What are spectacles?

You have heard many people say spectacles rather of saying glasses. Why do we call glasses as spectacles? Spectacles is an older term for glasses. Spectacle in Latin means ‘public view’. Spectacles help you in seeing the public view. It is an instrument to see the scene ahead of you. Glasses are the same. There is no difference between glasses and spectacles.

How to buy the best pair online?

With a plethora of choices in glasses frames available in the market, prescription glasses have become a fashion accessory that people wear to boost their appearance. They have surpassed their practical purpose, that is to say, vision correction.

Today, most people wear clear glasses with no lens power. By playing around with different frames, you can set the right tone for your outfit and bring more attention to your eyes. 

If you also want to own different frames to try out different looks (from studious to chic), buy glasses online and cut down the cost. If you’ve never purchased eyewear online before, here are some tips to use. 

Tips to buy glasses online

• Buying prescription glasses, have your latest eyeglass prescription with you. A prescription that is older than 2 years may become outdated and won’t work for your eyes any longer. But if you are buying them for the sole purpose of making a good impression, you may as well skip this step.
• Choose the frame shape according to your facial structure. Silhouettes that are contradicting to your face shape will give a nice contrast and balance the symmetry. For instance, people with a square face shape should go for round or oval glasses frames. Use the 3-D frame trial option available on the websites. this way, you can see how your selected frame will look on your face. 

• The next step is to decide where you want to buy glasses online. Don’t just go for the first one you could find online. Make sure you compare the prices of glasses with different retailers and also check out their return policy. 

• Once you select where you want to buy from, the next step is to choose which coatings you want on your prescription glasses lenses. For example, if you have a lot of computer work to do throughout the day, go for a blue light lens coating.
• Now comes the technical part. In this step, give your facial measurements for an accurate fit. If you don’t know how to measure your face, simply take help from your current frame. Scale its temple arms and nose bridge using a rule to get accurate measurements.
• In addition to your prescription and facial measurements, you also need to give one more crucial piece of infirmation – pupillary distance. the centre of your lens should fall right on top of your pupils. this is the only way you will get the best vision from your lenses.
• Finally, review the information and place the order. 

These are the basic steps of buying glasses online. Since it’s your first time doing eyewear shopping online, you must be skeptical about the quality. And in this case, you can get a free home trial for your frame before you pay for them. Most retailers provide free home trials for their glasses. 

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