Fake Glasses: What They Are and How to Choose a Pair That Looks Real

People call them fake glasses, faux glasses or decorative glasses, but their proper name is non-prescription glasses: a normal frame with a neutral lens that doesn't correct anything. More and more people wear them for the same reason they pick a watch or a cap: they like how they look. Here's what they actually are, how to tell a good pair from a costume one, and what to check before you buy.

What fake glasses are

They're glasses with a 0-dioptre lens. They don't magnify or shrink anything: you see the same with them as without them. The only difference from prescription glasses is the lens; the frame can be exactly the same.

Three quite different things are sold under that name, and it's worth keeping them apart:

• Costume or toy glasses: stiff plastic and a lens that distorts, or no lens at all. Fine for a party and not much else.
• Fashion glasses with a neutral lens: a real frame and a flat, clear lens. These are the ones people wear every day.
• Non-prescription glasses with a blue light filter: the same as above, with a lens that also filters part of the blue light from screens. That's what we make at LenBlu®.

Is it weird to wear glasses you don't need?

Not at all. Glasses change a face more than almost any other accessory: they frame it, give it character or soften it. That's why some people wear them for work, some put them on to go out and some simply look better with them. Nobody is going to ask you what your prescription is.

There's also no evidence that a neutral lens affects your eyesight. It doesn't change the image, so your eyes have nothing to get used to. If you feel any discomfort wearing them, take them off and see an eye care professional; and if the real issue is blurry vision, the first step is an eye test, not a pair of fake glasses.

How to choose fake glasses that don't look fake

What gives fake glasses away is hardly ever the missing prescription. It's these details:

• The lens: it should be flat and clean. Look at some text through it and move it around: if the lines bend, it's a poor lens.
• The shine: very glossy plastic looks like a toy. Matte finishes or well-polished clear frames look better.
• The weight: if they're heavy, you'll end up taking them off. TR90 frames are light and flexible.
• The size: glasses that are too wide or too narrow are obvious from a mile away. Look for published measurements and compare them with a pair you already own; we show you how in what size glasses am I?.
• The shape: classic frames age better than seasonal ones. Square is the easiest to wear; more on that in who suits square glasses.
• Returns: when you buy online, that's what lets you try them at home without rushing.

Clear or black: which is less noticeable?

If it's your first time wearing glasses, a clear frame is the gentlest way in: it doesn't hide your face and barely changes how you look. Black does the opposite: it stands out, defines your eyes and becomes part of the outfit. Neither is better; it depends on whether you want your glasses to blend in or to say something. More ideas in clear frame glasses for men and women and black non-prescription glasses.

What if I also spend the day on screens?

Then it makes sense for the lens to do a bit more. Non-prescription glasses with a filter cut part of the blue light given off by your computer and phone. They're not a treatment and they don't promise anything about tiredness or sleep: the scientific evidence on that is limited, and we explain it plainly in do blue light glasses work?. What does change is that a clear lens doesn't tint everything yellow.

LenBlu® non-prescription glasses

We make one frame: square, slim and made of TR90, with a clear non-prescription lens and a blue light filter. It's one size: 53 mm lens, 18 mm bridge and 142 mm total width.

You can get it in Clear or Matte Black for €34.99 each, or take both with the Duo Pack for €49.99. Delivery to Spain takes 8–15 business days and is free from €39.99. You'll find them all in LenBlu® non-prescription glasses.

Frequently asked questions

What are glasses without a prescription called?

Non-prescription glasses, plano glasses or neutral-lens glasses. Casually, people call them fake glasses or faux glasses.

Do fake glasses have lenses?

Good ones do: a clear 0-dioptre lens. Costume glasses sometimes come without a lens.

Can you wear them all day?

Yes. Since the lens doesn't change how you see, all that matters is that the frame is light and the right size.

Can I wear them with contact lenses?

Yes. With no prescription, you can wear them over your contacts and nothing changes.

What if I actually need glasses?

Then non-prescription glasses won't help. The right thing is to have an eye care professional tell you which lenses you need.

This article is for information only. It doesn't replace advice from an eye care professional.