Glasses Without Prescription: Buying Guide

Millions of people need prescription glasses to help them see well enough to carry out daily tasks. That makes a lot of sense, but why would someone wear non-prescription glasses?

It turns out that glasses without prescriptions are a certified trend bound to stick around — for a few reasons.

Below, we’ll explore why you might want to join the growing ranks of non-prescription glasses wearers. We’ll also clarify the times you do need prescription glasses, and where to get your next pair of glasses no matter the prescription — or lack thereof.

Why Do People Buy Non-Prescription Glasses?

Eyeglasses are no longer the purely functional necessities they used to be. These days, frames come in many different classic and modern styles. Some have specific vision-related functions, while others don’t.

Open your eyes to some new ideas for glasses without prescriptions:

Fashion Glasses

Fake glasses — and this is what most people mean when they speak about glasses without a prescription — are designed to be a fashion statement. The right pair of glasses can pull your outfit together as a subtle but notable final touch. They can make you look smarter or cooler, depending on your aesthetic goals.

Glasses can also accentuate your face, especially your eyes, or help distract from the features you’re less happy with. That’s why it’s so important to find the right pair of glasses for you.

Choosing Your Fashion Glasses Without a Prescription

If you’re drawn to a specific pair for its style or character, go for it! But if you’re trying to level up your glasses game, consider a few things:

Frame shape

Your glasses frame shape should complement your face shape. For example, does your face lean more round or oval, or diamond or heart-shaped?

Frame and lens colors

Think about the coloring of your skin, hair, and eyes. Clear glasses and tortoiseshell frames suit many people. But if your complexion is darker, you can probably wear more vibrant colors like dark blue, gold, or red. If you lean more on the pale side, you may look better in a softer shade like light blue.

Frame design

Now you can really have some fun with your specs. Opt for something that suits your personality. For example:

• Fun and bubbly: Give The Mint Sparklesa try
• Professional yet stylish: Try The Navy Pin Dot
• Spotlight star: Stand out with The Dia de Los Muertos
• Artsy and trendy: Get creative with The Irises
• Sporty and cool: Show your support with The Suns Splatter

Occasion

Where do you plan to wear your new pair of eyewear? Perhaps it’s a special event like a wedding or other formal gathering, in which case some Special Occasion or Sparkle Glasses might work well. Or maybe you’re looking for something to wear out clubbing or to a retro party, like The Rainbow Tie-Dye.

Before you buy, try on the glasses you’re considering, either in a shop or using a Virtual Try-On tool.

Sunglasses

This is probably one of the most common uses of glasses without prescriptions. Prescription-less sunglasses don’t give you the same vision benefits as prescription sunglasses but they still provide protection from harmful UV rays. Without UV protection, you could end up with wrinkles before your time or — even worse — sun damage that causes an eye disease like cataracts or macular degeneration.

Of course, as any celeb will tell you, sunglasses aren’t just about the sun protection. They can also complete an outfit or add an aura of glam and mystery, while (sometimes) protecting the identity of the wearer. As a bonus, they hide the direction of your gaze, allowing you to discreetly observe what’s going on around you.

Even better, sunglasses lenses come in a range of colors from traditional brown, gray, or black, to reflective pink, blue, or green, opening up a world of fun looks for you.

Most sunglasses reduce glare and filter out UVA and UVB rays but make sure to check the product description for the exact level of protection they offer. For an extra layer of functionality, invest in polarized lenses. These cut glare even further and are especially helpful if you spend a lot of time driving, on the water, or skiing.

Blue-Light Glasses

You may already know that electronic devices emit blue-light rays. These rays are helpful during the day, keeping you alert and focused. But if you often use your device before bed or for long periods, blue light can interfere with your sleep patterns.

Blue-light-blocking glasses filter out blue light, so you wake up feeling refreshed the morning after a late night of work. They often have clear lenses and look like regular glasses.

Just because they’re functional doesn’t mean they can’t be fun and trendy, too. You can add blue-light protection to most prescription glasses or glasses without prescriptions, so pick a pair of frames that you love and go from there.

Note: Blue-light glasses don’t help to prevent digital eye strain. For that, depending on what’s causing the problem for you, you may need prescription computer glasses, an anti-glare screen, or to simply take breaks from your device regularly.

Reading Glasses

As your eyes mature, they often become less flexible. You’ll know this is happening if you notice that the writing on your phone or a restaurant menu suddenly starts to look a little blurry. You may still be able to see perfectly well at a distance, but your eyes begin to struggle with close objects. This condition is called presbyopia.

The solution is a pair of reading glasses that gives you the magnification you need to see clearly. You can get these off the shelf at many different retailers. If you don’t have a prescription, you’ll need to try them on to check which level of magnification best improves your vision. Magnification can range from +0.25 for mild presbyopia to +5.00 for more severe conditions.

Note: Although you might luck out and find the perfect pair of readers at your local supermarket or general online retailer, many readers sold in non-specialist shops aren’t particularly stylish or great quality. You may be better off finding some fun frames from an eyewear retailer and then adding reading lenses.

Where to Buy Your Non-Prescription Glasses

Glasses without a prescription are available at many different retailers, both online and IRL. To get the best deal and high-quality glasses, look for a reputable company like Pair Eyewear.

Pair offers a range of unisex Base Frames in round, rectangular, and cat-eyeBase Frames. The best part, though, is that you get to take the look of your frames to the next level by adding a magnetic Top Frame of your choice. Top Frames are quick and easy to change on the run, plus extremely versatile.

You can order your sunglasses or regular glasses without a prescription, or upload a prescription for single-vision, progressive (the new bifocals), or reader lenses. Then, add on blue-light filters, transition lenses to take you easily from indoors to out, or ultra-thin Premium Plus lenses if you have a higher prescription.

All of our glasses have anti-reflective coatings, and they’re impact-resistant and scratch-resistant. Don’t fret daily wear and tear with strong spring hinges. Our frames also have a 30-day warranty, so if you’re not happy with them after they arrive on your doorstep, you can send them back for an exchange or refund.

Important note: Vision insurance usually only covers prescription glasses (including readers). So if you’re ordering glasses without a prescription, they may not be covered. It’s worth checking this with your insurance provider beforehand.

When You Need Prescription Glasses

Glasses without a prescription will work for you if you don’t have any major vision problems or if you simply need a pair of reading glasses. However, it’s important to know when you do need to visit an optometrist for an eye exam.

Aim to book a visit every one to two years, and it’s especially important if you find yourself squinting in order to see clearly or you’re experiencing headaches, blurry vision, or eye strain, or seeing halos around objects.

If your eye exam shows that your vision needs correcting — for example, you may have myopia (nearsightedness) or hyperopia (farsightedness) — your eye doctor will give you a prescription for contact lenses or a pair of prescription eyeglasses. These will likely have single-vision or bifocal prescription lenses. Your healthcare provider can also check for any signs of potential eye diseases — it’s always best to detect those early on.

Important note: Wearing non-prescription glasses won’t damage your eyes, but wearing the wrong prescription for you might. So if you’re going to wear prescription glasses, make sure to visit your eye doctor before ordering a pair so you can choose the right type.

Can You Get an Online Eye Exam Without a Previous Prescription?

If you’ve been wearing non-prescription glasses and think it’s time for an upgrade, you’re probably wondering what the easiest, most efficient way to get a prescription is.

Although they’re not yet available, several companies are racing to create trustworthy, FDA-approved online eye exams. This section will demystify the world of online vision exams so that you know exactly what to do if you need a new pair of glasses.

How Do Online Eye Tests Work?

Online eye tests can determine your visual acuity using a remote ophthalmic assessment. They involve a series of questions that rely on contrast vision and sensitivity to determine your eyeglass prescription. Once the test is complete, a board-certified ophthalmologist will review your results.

Some platforms use just the camera on your smartphone to track the progression of your vision over time. Other tests require you to pair your smartphone with a miniscope to generate your eyewear prescription.

Additionally, some websites simulate an in-person eye exam by having you put 10 feet of space between you and your computer screen. After that, you’ll read letters off an eye chart, just as you would at a doctor’s office.

If approved, these tests will allow you to get a new prescription virtually without going to an eye care professional in person or having a prior prescription. That said, you’ll still need to see an eye care provider in person to get a contact lens prescription. That’s because accurate test results require specialized (and expensive) equipment.

Most doctors recommend that you only use online tests to update an existing prescription rather than to get your very first. They also recommend that anyone with an irregular prescription skip home vision tests altogether and go straight to a licensed ophthalmologist.

How To Get an Eye Prescription in Person

Given that we’re still waiting for an FDA-approved online vision test, you might be wondering how to get a new prescription in the meantime. If you wake up tomorrow and decide it’s time for a glasses prescription, you’ll need to make an in-person appointment with an eye doctor and receive a comprehensive eye health examination.

During a comprehensive eye exam, your doctor will test your visual acuity and map the structure of your eye. Currently, there’s no way to get a valid prescription for glasses without an exam from an eye doctor.

If you notice that the edges of items look fuzzy or find yourself squinting to see, it might be time to get your vision checked. While it might seem like a hassle to go to an eye doctor in person, your vision will surely thank you for it.

Will Online Eye Exams Completely Replace In-Person Visits?

Even when the technology for FDA-approved online eye exams reaches the market, you’ll still need to complete an in-person eye exam annually to check for more particular eye problems, including astigmatism and glaucoma.

As a result, in-person eye doctors aren’t going anywhere. In fact, it’s advised that anyone who’s 40 years or older, has a health condition that affects their vision, or has a family/medical history of eye disease should opt for an in-person eye exam every time.

Get Your Non-Prescription Eyeglasses Today

There are many types of glasses without prescriptions available these days, from fashion glasses and sunglasses to blue-light blockers and readers. All of these non-prescription glasses can be boring — or they can be fun and trendy. The best part about eyewear is that it’s your choice!

When you’re looking for your next pair of glasses, consider both the functionality and the styling you’re looking for. Whatever those might be, you’re sure to find the right ones for you at Pair Eyewear.

Links:

5 Eye Conditions Linked to Sun Damage | All About Vision

What Are Cataracts? | American Academy of Ophthalmology

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD): Causes, Symptoms and Treatments | All About Vision

Blue light has a dark side | Harvard Health

Digital Devices and Your Eyes | American Academy of Ophthalmology

Presbyopia | National Eye Institute

How Often Should You Get An Eye Exam? | All About Vision