For some of us, glasses are a necessity. They are the first thing we put on in the morning and the last thing we take off at night. We use them all day, every day until it comes time to replace them. But why are they so expensive?

In this article, I give you five reasons your glasses are expensive and why this isn’t always a bad thing.

1) The Frame

Luxury eyewear can cost a pretty penny. In some cases, this is the reason your glasses cost so much. However, designer frames tend to be of a higher quality when compared with fast fashion eyewear. They come in more decadent styles, with branded cases and, often, authenticity cards. For those who value eyewear and like to use it to accessorise, an expensive frame is a small price to pay. As long as it is kept in good condition, it can be reused time and time again and even passed down to future generations. Think of it as an investment piece.

2) Coatings

Coatings are placed over your lenses and have a number of different purposes. They cost more because they provide an extra feature which enhances your glasses wearing experience. It is for this reason that I like to recommend them to my patients depending on what their needs are.

Popular lenses coatings include the anti-reflective coating, blue-light coating, scratch-resistant coating and anti-fog coating. They are all valuable and should be considered when purchasing new glasses. It is important tell your optician or optometrist about your lifestyle as this determines what would work well for you.

3) Thinner lenses

People with higher prescriptions require thicker lenses to improve their vision (this is due to the strength of the prescription). As a result, the lenses tend to stick out of the frame and make it very obvious that you have a high prescription. Thinner lenses not only make your glasses look better to other people; it makes them more comfortable to wear for yourself. They ensure that your lenses appear sleeker, feel lighter and this improves the look of your glasses as a whole.

4) Polarised lenses

These lenses are great for using in the sun. They tend to have a tint, similar to sunglasses, but they are also able to remove the glare that comes with bright sunlight. This is especially useful for when you are around water or driving. When added to regular sunglasses, the cost is likely to increase but it is definitely worth it.

5) Transition lenses

Just like their name suggests, these lenses undergo a change. They begin as clear lenses and gradually darken as they are exposed to UV light. This means that on a sunny day outside, they may get as dark as sunglasses. Although an added cost, this may eliminate the need to buy an additional sunglass pair so perhaps it actually saves you a few pounds!

Eyewear is one of few accessories that serves an important purpose. Whether it’s to help you see or to protect your eyes from the harmful rays of the sun, your glasses are something that you should invest in and take care of. So, the next time you go to choose a new frame, or lenses, remember to have a budget and ask for the best recommendations for you.