Glasses

Glasses, also known as eyeglasses , spectacles (<a href="/facts/Commonwealth_English/FfHnv1CT">Commonwealth English</a>), or colloquially as specs, are <a href="/facts/Visual_perception/g7Tfaq2l">vision</a> <a href="/facts/Eyewear/ahMHzfy2">eyewear</a> with clear or tinted <a href="/facts/Lens_(optics)/ejlH6n5c">lenses</a> mounted in a frame that holds them in front of a person's <a href="/facts/Human_eyes/a24ua4fy">eyes</a>, typically utilizing a bridge over the <a href="/facts/Nose/Kv0lv34S">nose</a> and hinged arms, known as temples or temple pieces, that rest over the ears for support.
Glasses are typically used for <a href="/facts/Corrective_lens/qRBkxeM5">vision correction</a>, such as with reading glasses and glasses used for <a href="/facts/Nearsightedness/KSqGQPUH">nearsightedness</a>; however, without the specialized lenses, they are sometimes used for cosmetic purposes. 
Safety glasses are <a href="/facts/Eye_protection/18AyUXLY">eye protection</a>, a form of personal protective equipment (<a href="/facts/Personal_protective_equipment/DF3oEH6B">PPE</a>) that are worn by workers around their eyes for protection. Safety glasses act as a shield to protect the eyes from any type of foreign debris that may cause irritation or injury; 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 <a href="/facts/Radiation/RwMocyeq">radiation</a>. Glasses are worn for eye protection in some sports, such as <a href="/facts/Squash_(sport)/hSvWwlFu">squash</a>.
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.
<a href="/facts/Sunglasses/VA0uqRze">Sunglasses</a> allow for better vision in bright daylight and are used to protect one's eyes against damage from excessive levels of <a href="/facts/Ultraviolet_light/kncBUqn5">ultraviolet light</a>. Typical sunglasses lenses are tinted for protection against bright light or polarized to remove glare; <a href="/facts/Photochromic_glasses/BVuhsBqK">photochromic glasses</a> 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 <a href="/facts/Photophobia/CEFh6H8t">photophobia</a> as a primary symptom (like certain <a href="/facts/Migraine/5XaE1W25">migraine</a> 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, <a href="/facts/3D_glasses/jfHumNV8">3D glasses</a> for <a href="/facts/3D_film/nuwLrplG">3D films</a> (<a href="/facts/Stereoscopy/jfHumNV8">stereoscopy</a>). 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 lenses are made of plastic, polyethylene, and glass.

Glasses open-in-new

Glasses