How Do Glasses Work?

Prescription eyewear (otherwise known as eyeglasses, prescription sunglasses, or contact lenses) works by bending light as it enters your eye to allow it to focus perfectly on your retina for a crystal clear viewing field. To better understand this process, we first need to understand how the eye itself functions.

• Your pupils (the dark center of your eye) dilate and contract to allow light into a complex system of nerves at the back of your eye
• This complex system of nerves is known as the retina
• If your vision is 20/20 or better, this means that light is able to focus directly on the retina
• If the lens of your eye forces light to focus before or after the retina you will suffer from common vision problems
• Eyeglasses or other corrective lenses can be used to bend the light to land correctly on the retina and allow almost anyone to have a clear viewing field

What happens when you look at the world around you?

Your eye has a series of internal mechanisms that allow light to be transferred to your optic nerve to create images. This system includes the pupils, cornea, lens, and retina. When you look at a beautiful naturescape, for example, this happens:

1. These three mechanisms fine tune the light as it scatters and merges to land on the retina
2. The image shrinks and curves to match the natural shape of the retina
3. Reaction to light is relayed from the retina to the brain and is translated into an image

If we can say anything about the human eye, it is beautifully complex!

How do I know if I need glasses?

It may seem straightforward: if you look around and the world appears blurry, you need glasses. But, in many cases, it’s not that simple. Many people do not realize they would benefit from corrective lenses until they show up at their doctor complaining of neck pain and headaches from straining to see.

Fun fact: 75% of Americans need corrective lenses (otherwise known as eyeglasses, prescription sunglasses, or contact lenses) to keep their surroundings in focus.

If a person is experiencing age-related vision problems, the changes may be so gradual, they do not realize them day to day. It is always a good idea to have a yearly check-in with an optometrist or ophthalmologist. They will run a series of tests to determine the health of your eyes, if you suffer from any kind of vision problems, and if you need glasses or corrective lenses. Your eye doctor will present you with a chart containing your prescription and will have measurements for your left eye, right eye, and whether or not you suffer from astigmatism. For more on how to understand your eyes’ needs, see our guide on how to read your prescription.

How long will it take to adjust to new glasses?

In most cases, you will adjust to your new eyeglasses prescription in about two to three days. If you wear your new glasses for a few weeks and are experiencing headaches, neck pain, light sensitivity, or other adverse side effects, you should consult your eye doctor to make sure the prescription is correctly suited to your needs.

There is nothing more important than the health of your vision and your eyes. Here at FramesDirect, we have opticians on staff to help you find the perfect pair of eyeglasses or sunglasses. Contact us today with questions about your prescription, progressive lenses, and which styles will best flatter your face shape.

Also see: Lens Material Guide | How to Measure Glasses Size | Who Invented Glasses? | How to Clean Your Glasses