Eyeglasses

Eyeglasses, or glasses, help people who cannot see well. They have two lenses in a frame. The lenses bend light so images look clear. People wear them to read, drive, or watch TV. Glasses come in many shapes, sizes, and colors.

A Long History

The first glasses were made in Italy around the year 1290. They were used by monks who wanted to read old books. Early glasses had no arms and had to be held up by hand. Later, people added side pieces that hook on the ears. Now, glasses are made of plastic or thin metal.

A man wearing cool dark sunglasses outside.
A man wearing cool dark sunglasses outside. (Bill william compton / Wikimedia Commons)

Types of Lenses

Some lenses help people see things that are far away. Others help with things that are close up. Bifocal lenses do both at once. Benjamin Franklin is said to have invented bifocals. Today, some glasses even turn into sunglasses when you go outside.

Fun Facts

  • About 4 billion people in the world wear glasses.
  • Sunglasses with dark lenses became popular in the 1930s.
  • The oldest known pair of glasses was made over 700 years ago.

Did You Know?

Benjamin Franklin may have invented bifocals in the 1780s so he did not need two pairs of glasses.