Do I Need a Second Pair of Glasses?
The truth is you likely do need to have a second pair of glasses for yourself and any other individual in your family who has a prescriptive pair. Whether it is a duplicate of the same prescription or potentially to address a different eye condition, one pair often won’t do.
The risk of loss or damage is chief among the reasons why a second pair is a good investment. For prescription glasses it can sometimes take a week or two for a new pair to come in and be finished. In that time, everything you do becomes exponentially more difficult. And for kids, that includes schoolwork which can cause them to fall behind academically.
And let’s face it, the younger the kid is, the more likely they are to lose or damage their glasses. Whether it happens while playing, from misplacement at school or forgetting to put them in a case eventually, they are probably going to lose or break their glasses.
Do You Need Different Types of Glasses?
Another reason you may need a second pair of glasses can come from slight differences in your visual acuity. As we age, our vision changes, and we can often develop different needs depending on the activity. One pair may be great for most activities, but another script is required for reading up close, or while working on the computer.
Making the initial investment in different pairs of glasses for different needs and activities can lead to greater enjoyment of life and ease of doing needed work. Prescriptions can be manufactured into a wide arrange of glass types, so consider an alternate pair of the following:
- Sunglasses: Not only a fun fashion accessory, having your second pair be sunglasses can help keep your vision clear and your eyes protected from potential UV damage.
- Computer Glasses: For those who work a desk job or find themselves at the computer for extended periods of time gaming after work, digital eye strain and discomfort can be a real issue. If you experience dry and irritated eyes, blurred vision, light sensitivity, or headaches after sitting in front of a screen, you may want to invest in a pair.
- Reading Glasses: You will see these as the most available over-the-counter option at the drugstore. They aren’t optimal for all situations, but reading glasses can be a good backup and situational pair to keep on hand.
- Sports Glasses: Thousands of people suffer eye injuries every year while participating in sports. It is essential for long-term eye health to prevent these injuries. If you are an athlete or have an active hobby, a pair of protective sports glasses are a must.
Even if you typically wear contact lenses, you should have a backup pair on hand. Some eye conditions or infections may mean you can’t wear the contacts for days to weeks, and you will still need to be able to see.
Tips for Choosing the Perfect Pair
A good-fitting pair of glasses is going to make life easier. You want something lightweight and durable that you or your child will forget they are even wearing. Facial features are unique, and a pair of glasses should be a custom fit. You want them to stay on the face and not be fiddled with constantly.
As far as materials go, you want something that can withstand being dropped and scratched as much as possible. The better the quality of material and fit, the fewer times you’ll need them adjusted, repaired, or replaced.
If the glasses fit well and are made of durable materials, they will last longer.
Maintaining Your Glasses
One way to extend the life of a pair of glasses is to make sure you do some regular maintenance, particularly cleaning. The most important thing to remember is not to use paper products. Paper towels, tissues, and other wipes will leave tiny micro-scratches.
Never wipe your lenses without first rinsing off any dirt or grit that may be on the surface of the lenses. Skipping a rinse may result in your lenses getting scratched.
Do a quick clean every day or so by doing the following:
- Thoroughly clean your hands.
- Rinse your glasses under warm water.
- Gently rub the lenses and frame using a few drops of mild dishwashing soap (no moisturizers).
- Rinse off all soap.
- Dry with a microfibre cloth.
If you need to clear away smudges on the go, keep a microfibre cloth at hand. While some shirts are soft enough to avoid abrasions, it is best not to risk it. You may want to take the glasses to your optician for a full ultrasonic clean when you go for your annual eye exam.
To prevent damage or loss, invest in a durable hard case, and work to develop the habit of putting them inside whenever you aren’t wearing the pair. Even if you are only setting the glasses down for a few minutes, that is all the time it takes to scratch up the lens.
While you have the glasses on, consider adding eyewear straps. They aren’t just for when you are doing sports. These handy straps will help prevent your glasses from falling to the ground where they can get scratched or broken and help you from losing them.
Eyewear Specialists in Western North Carolina
Come to Asheville Vision and Wellness to pick out your new pair of glasses.
We offer a wide range of styles and colors in eye glasses that boast features that ensure comfortable protection and clear vision for your eyes while at work or play. Our staff can help get you fitted with any prescription lens needs.
Whether you haven’t been to the optometrist for a yearly eye exam or just need to grab a new pair of glasses, contact us today. Our eye doctors are trained to provide our patients with a wide variety of eye care, including comprehensive eye examinations, contact lenses, and medical eye evaluations.