Can You Wear Non-Prescription Glasses All Day?

Yes, you can wear non-prescription glasses all day. A non-prescription lens is 0 dioptres: it doesn't magnify or shrink anything, so you see exactly the same with it as without it. Whether you can keep your glasses on from morning to night isn't down to the lens but to the frame. Here's what you'll really notice, when it's worth taking them off and how to wear them comfortably.

Why wearing them is fine

A neutral lens doesn't change the image that reaches your eye. There's nothing for your eyes to "get used to" and there's no evidence that wearing one does any harm. It's the same as non-prescription sunglasses, just with a clear lens.

For glasses with a blue light filter, the studies that have reviewed their effects found mild, infrequent and short-lived discomfort, similar to wearing any frame. We explain it in non-prescription blue light glasses.

What you will notice

• The weight. If you've never worn glasses, for the first few days you'll feel the frame on your nose and behind your ears. With a light one, that soon passes.
• The pressure. Glasses that are too narrow for your face pinch at the temples; wide ones slide down. It's a question of size.
• Reflections. Every lens reflects a little. Lenses with a blue light filter show a faint bluish reflection at certain angles.
• Dirt. Fingerprints and dust build up over the day. With dirty lenses you really do see worse.

When it's worth taking them off

• If you feel any discomfort: take them off and, if it happens again, see an eye care professional.
• If reflections bother you when driving at night: better without them.
• For sleeping or contact sports: as with any glasses.
• If things actually look blurry: non-prescription glasses won't fix that. It's time for an eye test.

How to wear them comfortably all day

• Pick a light frame. TR90 frames weigh very little and are flexible.
• Get the size right. Compare the measurements with a pair that already fits you well: we explain how in what size glasses am I?.
• Clean them every day. Lukewarm water, a drop of mild soap and a microfibre cloth.
• Use the pouch. Hooked onto your T-shirt collar, they get scratched and bent out of shape.
• Still rest your eyes. If you spend hours on screens, look into the distance every 20 minutes: that's the 20-20-20 rule. Glasses don't replace breaks.

What if I only wear them because I like them?

That's as good a reason as any. Non-prescription glasses are worn like any other accessory; some people call them fake glasses. You'll find how to choose them in fake glasses: what they are and how to choose them.

LenBlu® non-prescription glasses

They're designed for exactly this: a square, slim TR90 frame with a clear non-prescription lens and a blue light filter, in one size (53 mm lens, 18 mm bridge and 142 mm total width). In Clear and Matte Black, €34.99 each; both in the Duo Pack, €49.99. Delivery to Spain in 5–8 business days, free from €39.99. You'll find them in non-prescription glasses.

Frequently asked questions

Is it bad to wear non-prescription glasses?

There's no evidence that it is. The lens doesn't change the image, so your eyes work the same as without glasses.

Will my eyes get used to them so I see worse without them?

No. That can happen with a prescription that isn't yours, not with a 0-dioptre lens.

Can I wear them over contact lenses?

Yes. Your contacts do the correcting; the glasses just add the frame and, if they have one, the filter.

How many hours in a row?

As many as feel comfortable. The lens sets no limit; the frame does.

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