Eyewear refers to any device worn on or around the eyes, most commonly glasses or sunglasses. When someone needs eyewear, they might visit an eye doctor who prescribes lenses to help them see more clearly. Glasses correct vision problems like nearsightedness (trouble seeing things far away) or farsightedness (trouble seeing things up close).

Sunglasses are eyewear designed to protect your eyes from bright sunlight and harmful UV rays. Some eyewear serves both purposes: transition lenses darken in sunlight and clear up indoors. Safety goggles are eyewear that protect your eyes during science experiments, woodworking, or swimming.

The word eyewear is broader than just glasses. It includes contact lenses (tiny lenses that sit directly on your eye), protective goggles, virtual reality headsets, and even decorative items like costume glasses. When stores advertise their eyewear collection, they're showing all the different styles of glasses and sunglasses they sell.

Eyewear has become both functional and fashionable. Many people choose frames that match their personality or style, treating their glasses as an accessory like a watch or hat. Some famous figures, from Benjamin Franklin to modern scientists and artists, are instantly recognizable partly because of their distinctive eyewear.