Why people wear glasses may surprise you

Why do people wear glasses? Eyeglasses were invented to help people with “less than perfect” vision, but now people sport eyewear for a myriad of reasons. 

While most people still wear glasses to correct problems such as nearsightedness and astigmatism, it’s not uncommon for people to use non-prescription eyewear, also known as fake glasses, to make a fashion statement.

Let’s look at why glasses have become a necessity for so many and a popular accessory, even for those with excellent vision.

Why do so many people need glasses?

The majority of the population has difficulty distinguishing faraway objects, sees fuzzy text when reading or experiences overall blurry vision due to astigmatism, and for most of these people, eyeglasses are the preferred method of vision correction.

Having less-than-perfect vision isn’t as uncommon as you may think. About 75% of adults use some sort of vision correction, according to The Vision Council. About 64% of them wear eyeglasses, and about 11% wear contact lenses, either exclusively, or with glasses.

How many people wear glasses? A projected 164 million American adults wear glasses, according to The Vision Council.

And those numbers are expected to rise. The number of people affected by myopia (nearsightedness) is projected to increase from 1.4 billion to 5 billion by 2050, affecting about half the world’s population, according to a 2016 study.

Why do people wear glasses if they don’t need them?

Some people wear glasses even though they don't need them for vision correction. Why? Some people believe glasses make them look smarter. Or fake glasses might be just that final touch to complete a new look.

Because eyeglasses are almost exclusively associated with functionality, some people may find this fake glasses trend a little silly. However, fashion is meant to be fun, not functional.

Glasses that aren't for correction but are for fashion isn't for everyone, but if you’re looking to try a new way to accessorize, glasses may be just what you’re looking for.

Regardless of your vision needs and personal taste, finding the perfect pair of glasses is easier than you think.

LOOKING TO UPDATE YOUR EYEWEAR OR TO TRY A NEW LOOK? Find a stylish pair of glasses at an optical store near you or an online eyewear retailer.

Page published on Saturday, February 29, 2020