Specialty Glasses: Giving your eyes the best

You may be well aware of the benefits of your everyday prescription eyeglasses. But did you know there are a number of specialty glasses that could benefit you during specific hobbies and activities? In some cases, such glasses can even benefit those without prescription eyewear.   

Colored lenses

The classic example of nonprescription eyewear is sunglasses. And why not? Nobody likes constantly squinting outdoors. But with or without prescription, did you know different colored lenses provide different types of vision benefits? Sporting a pair with amber or brown lenses might help reduce overall glare and increase contrast, while neutral gray and gray-blue lenses improve depth perception. The bright hues of yellow and rose-colored lenses increase contrast and visibility in low-light situations. 

Computer glasses

Have you ever had a headache after studying for hours or binge-watching a series on Netflix? During extended periods of viewing a computer, tablet or smartphone, your eyes must remain focused at a specific distance. This tires them out more quickly than normal visual activities. Computer glasses correct vision specifically in range of focus typical for digital such devices. Some even have an additional blue light coating over the lenses that may provide additional relief from eyestrain. 

Glasses for hobbies and work

Depending on your job, you may need to read text in visual fields outside of your traditional bifocal or trifocal lens. Specially designed occupational lenses provide custom progressive vision correction to individuals with different visual needs in the workplace from their everyday lives. For example, placing the reading zone higher in the lenses so you don’t have to strain your neck and back to read monitors above eye level. 

Some activities require a stronger focus point to reduce eyestrain. Reading glasses that magnify small details will make it easier if you ever decide to take up crocheting and to-scale model building. 

Safety eyewear

Glasses made from polycarbonates are approximately 10x more resistant to impact than other plastic materials. Protective lenses, both prescription and nonprescription, ensure the safety of your eyes if you play sports like racquetball, use power tools for home improvement projects or go hunting on a regular basis. Most protective glasses include a wraparound design to shield your eyes from all angles. 

Surprisingly, this is not an exhaustive list of all the specialty eyeglasses you could benefit from. There are also lenses designed to reduce the effects of dry eye, provide better night vision and even improve contrast for color blindness. Giving your eyes the best is always an option. 

You should review with your doctor your lifestyle, hobbies, activities and work to learn about what specialty glasses might benefit you. If you don’t have vision insurance, find out how VSP Individual Plans can help you save on your next eye exam or pair of glasses.

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Not covered for vision? Get an individual plan, customized for you – including where you want to use it: at the doctor, in a retail location, or even online.

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