Eyewear

Eyewear refers to items and accessories worn on or over the eyes, for fashion or adornment, protection against the environment, and to improve or enhance visual acuity. Common forms of eyewear include glasses, sunglasses, and contact lenses. Eyewear can also include more utilitarian forms of eye protection, such as goggles. Conversely, blindfolds are a form of eyewear used to block vision for a variety of purposes.

History

The concept of eyewear has been around for centuries, with the earliest forms being primitive lenses made from quartz and other materials. The invention of spectacles in the 13th century revolutionized the way people see, and has evolved into the various forms of eyewear we see today.

Types of Eyewear

Glasses

Glasses, also known as eyeglasses or spectacles, are devices consisting of glass or hard plastic lenses mounted in a frame that holds them in front of a person's eyes. Glasses are typically used for vision correction.

Sunglasses

Sunglasses are a form of protective eyewear designed primarily to prevent bright sunlight and high-energy visible light from damaging or discomforting the eyes.

Contact Lenses

Contact lenses are thin lenses placed directly on the surface of the eyes. Contact lenses are ocular prosthetic devices used by over 150 million people worldwide, and they can be worn to correct vision or for cosmetic or therapeutic reasons.

Care and Maintenance

Proper care and maintenance of eyewear is important to ensure their longevity and effectiveness. This includes regular cleaning, proper storage, and regular check-ups with an optometrist.

See Also

• Optometry
• Ophthalmology
• Visual acuity

Eyewear Resources
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