The Roman tragedian Seneca, born about 4 B.C., is said to have read all the books in Rome by peering at them through a glass of water.
In the 21st century, there are far more fashionable alternatives to reading the fine print.
Although laser surgery is becoming more affordable and contact lenses easier to care for, eyeglasses, invented about 2,000 years ago, are still very much in style.
"Glasses are not just something to see through anymore," says Norman Childs, executive director and designer at Eyetique in Squirrel Hill. "People truly enjoy wearing them, so why not consider them as fashion?"
Opticians and designers alike say there has been a real change over the past 10 years in the way adults and children perceive wearing glasses.
Considering an estimated 155 million Americans, or 60 percent of the population, need some form of corrective eyewear, that's probably a healthy attitude.
Katie Covalcine, associate product development manager for Luxotica retail, which manufactures frames for LensCrafters, says men and women now see glasses as a fashion accessory.
Like jewelry, glasses have the ability to project an image: smart and studious, fun and funky or coffeehouse cool.
"There are so many great styles you can accessorize with," Childs says. "Instead of buying one pair, people are buying two or three."
When it comes to eyewear, designers have long taken cues from celebrities. Think Audrey Hepburn, Sophia Loren, Elton John and, more recently, Brad Pitt.
Laura Bucci, office manager of Bell Vision Care in Bloomfield, says this year's trends are retro plastic and laminate frames and innovative metals such as titanium and stainless steel.
Everyday frame shapes are generally more subtle -- almonds, ovals, pillows, rectangles, diamonds or trapezoids -- instead of harsh, thick squares or oversized circles.
Currently, styles tend to be smaller and not as heavy, although some are embellished with small jewels or ornamental designs on the temples.
Many new metal styles easily convert to sunglasses with matching magnetic shields and clip-ons.
"The advantage for the patient with magnetic clip-ons is that they now have two pairs with one purchase," says Joyce Davis, frame buyer for Eye Physicians Optical in Aspinwall.
As far as sunglasses go, bigger is better. Styles include modified, mirror-coated aviators, colorful tints and basic black, Bucci says.
Pastel-colored frames and fashion tints popular in the '80s are making a comeback, thanks to designers such as Vera Wang, although new colors are brighter and fresher.
DKNY and Guess offer semi-rimless frames with lightly tinted lenses in pink, yellow, purple, green or blue. Retailers vary, but most DKNY frames sell for between $140 and $200 a pair. Guess frames sell for $69 to $169.
Although opticians stress the importance of finding a comfortable pair of glasses rather than those in the latest blockbuster or on your favorite celebrity, it never hurts to get a pair that has a touch of trendiness while maintaining a classic appeal.
Citing the enormously popular Silhouette rimless design, opticians say manufacturers constantly are striving for lighter, more durable, yet fashionable materials.
Silhouette's Titan Minimal Art frames are super-lightweight, yet extremely sturdy. The titanium temples are attached directly to the lenses using a unique, patented technology that has been approved by NASA for use by astronauts. The frames sell for $175 to $350 per pair.
"I've sold more of these than any other frame I can remember," says Jim Doty, optician at The Eye Gallery in Peters, demonstrating how the Silhouette model bends without breaking. "Everyone is trying to duplicate this design."
Silhouette is the rimless design of choice for notables such as Donald Rumsfeld and Tom Brokaw.
For kids, tweens and teens, the latest trends include fun designs from Nine West Kids, Elasta, Fossil and Polo Prep in metals and plastics with lots of modern, adult styles.
Previously, designs for children were unattractive and focused solely on durability. But the advent of materials such as stainless steel, aluminum and titanium has led to the development of more attractive, durable eyeglasses suitable for all ages.
"The quality of frames and lenses today has improved so much," Doty says.
According to Allaboutvision.com , modern hinges are now designed to be more flexible, and plastic lenses, made with stronger materials such as polycarbonate and Trivex, developed by PPG, are perfect for children's special needs.
While a sturdy pair of frames is important, the design also should be something the child enjoys, according to Canadian-published Opto Magazine.
"Remember that if a child's glasses are a source of embarrassment, they are more likely to remain in their case or get misplaced. If children are involved in choosing their own frames, they will wear them more regularly," the magazine states.
Want your kids to get really excited about wearing their glasses⢠Give them a choice of frames inspired by Nickelodeon's top characters -- SpongeBob SquarePants, Rugrats, Dora the Explorer, the Wild Thornberrys, Blue's Clues, and the Rocketpower Kids by Nouveau Eyewear.
These frames feature spring hinges with fun details on the temples such as glow-in-the-dark plankton and little blue bubbles, and sell for about $40 each.
Whether you're into high fashion or economical function, there are more styles of eyewear to choose from today than ever before.
Glasses no longer have to be a source of embarrassment for children or a headache for aging adults. Instead, they can be a bold statement of personality.
"Just about everyone you can think of -- Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, even Celine Dion -- has a line of eyewear," Doty says. "And pretty much anything goes."
| Expert assistance |
Although some opticians say you shouldn't rule out any frame styles until you try them on, here are some general guidelines to help when choosing a new pair of specs.
Generally, the size of the frame should relate to the size of your face, i.e. a small head needs smaller frames, and frames that contrast with the shape of your face tend to look best.
It's also important to consider the thickness of the lens. For example, thinner, flatter lenses are more flattering in some cases, and an anti-reflective coating can bring out beautiful eyes and makeup. Light-sensitive lenses, such as Transitions, are great for moving between dim and bright light.
Still having trouble deciding⢠You can now try frames online before arriving at the optometrist's office.
Pearle Vision's Web site features a personal frame selector that allows you to scan in your photograph and apply several different versions of frames to your face.
Similarly, LensCrafters.com provides a "Find your Look" feature in which customers answer a few questions and then see several style recommendations.
All photos shot at Eyetique in Squirrel Hill
