National Eyewear Day

National Eyewear Day is a celebration for people with both poor and perfect vision. Previously, glasses were considered a mandatory attribute of nerds and those with poor eyesight. But recently, this trend has changed a lot and glasses have become a fashionable and stylish accessory.

History

Glasses have been around for a long time. Initially, they were of a rough shape with thick lenses. Their only purpose was to enable a person to see better. Later, new technologies were invented. Different options appeared for nearsighted and farsighted people. There are even models changing focus from far to near, and vice versa. This accessory became so popular that it was proposed to create a national holiday in its honor.

National Eyewear Day was first held in 2016, started by American optical company Zyloware Eyewear, which since 1923 has been offering its customers various models of glasses. Company managers did their best to develop the business. The idea of creating a holiday helped to give glasses even more importance and increased their popularity. Glasses have become so popular that even people without a medical need wear them because they change the face and appearance. You can choose a frame of any shape and color – modern models are very diverse.

Interesting Facts

Glasses are a very old invention.

1. In Spain in the 17th century, it was believed the larger the frame of the glasses, the higher the status of their owner. Some Spaniards wore palm-sized glasses with different lenses as a symbol of aristocracy.
2. Ancient people used various devices to improve their eyesight, including polished crystals, glass balls, and polished rock crystal.
3. King Henry VIII counted 44 pairs of glasses in silver and gold frames.
4. The first sunglasses were invented by the Eskimo over 2000 years ago. They were made of wood and had narrow slits for the eyes. Later they were made from mammoth bones.

How to take part

Visit an optometrist. You might want to buy glasses or change by choosing a different shape and color. Consider a donation. There are people with poor eyesight who cannot afford medical treatment or glasses.

When is National Eyewear Day celebrated in 2024?

National Eyewear Day is observed on June 6 each year.

Observations