Do you have spare glasses? Why having backup eyewear is essential

When was the last time you thought about having spare glasses? For many of us who rely on our glasses every day, having a backup pair might not be at the top of our minds. However, having spare glasses can be crucial in ensuring that life continues smoothly, especially if something unexpected happens.

Imagine your glasses are damaged or lost. Suddenly, you find yourself struggling to see clearly and cope with your daily activities. Just like how you wouldn't rely on just one car key or one house key, having backups for essential items is important—your glasses should be no exception.

If you're someone who can't imagine going two weeks without your glasses, it's time to consider getting a backup pair. Whether it's variety for everyday wear or just for emergencies, having a spare set of glasses ensures that you're never left in the lurch.

This advice holds especially true for children. Many primary school age children often don't have spare glasses, and if they are without them for even a few days, their learning can be impacted. By college age, if a teen wears their glasses all the time, then catching the bus or doing tests without their glasses is just too hard. Even if the backups are their old glasses, as long as they have something to use, it is nicer for everyone.

For contact lens wearers, having backup glasses is equally important. Without them, you're at risk of over-wearing your contacts, which can lead to discomfort and even eye infections. In the event of a sore or red eye, you'll need to give your eyes a break from contacts to allow them to heal properly.  We regularly see both those people with backup glasses so pleased to have them, as well as others who are very stressed with no plan B.

Also for contact lens wearers if you're unlucky enough to contract a viral eye infection, the situation becomes even more critical. Continuing to wear your contacts can exacerbate the infection and prolong your recovery time. But with a backup pair of glasses on hand, you can continue to function without putting your eye health at risk.

We really don’t like seeing coming into us, stressed and unable to do their normal life activities, only to learn that their new glasses will take a 5-10 days to be replaced.  That stress is not good for anyone!

So really, spare glasses are not just a luxury—they're a necessity for anyone who relies on their eyewear for daily life. Whether you wear glasses or contacts, having backups means you are prepared for the unexpected, and can smoothly keep calm and carry on.