The creation of dual eyewear speaks to a consumer desire to maintain health, reduce clutter and increase convenience. Those who suffer from vision loss or other optical ailments are searching for frames that can carry out multiple functions, making life easier for them in more ways than one.
For instance, the advent of Google Glass and other similar products has prompted the design of tech-integrated eyewear. In recent years, prescription glasses have become every bit as intelligent as their smart glass counterparts.
Along with tech-savvy features, consumers are looking for corrective lenses that maintain their health, optical or otherwise. Whether it's glasses that prevent eyestrain, or specs that reduce the effects of seasonal affective disorder, consumers want a vision solution with extra health benefits (or precautions) installed.
19 Examples of Dual-Purpose Eyewear
From Telescopic Contact Lenses to Fatigue-Sensing Glasses:
Vasiliki Marapas — Feb 25, 2015 — Lifestyle
19
Phone-Connected Glasses
Fun'iki High Tech Glasses Provide Seamless Smartphone Notifications
18
Wearable Tech Glasses
The Lumus DK-40 Will be Google Glasses’ Biggest Competitor in 2014
17
Illness-Treating Contact Lenses
The Google Lens Has Amazing Medical Applications
16
Telescopic Contact Lenses
These Telescopic Contact Lenses Can Be Zoomed At the Blink of an Eye
15
Night-Vision Contact Lenses
A New Material Graphene Could be Used in Lenses to See in the Dark
14
Virtual Designer Glasses
The Made for Glass Collection by DVF Dresses Up Google Glasses
13
Fatigue-Sensing Glasses
Jin Meme App-Connected Glasses Send Phone Notifications When You're Tired
12
Sunglass-Mounted Cameras
The Geco Mark II Action Cam Records Footage From Your Glasses
11
Camera-Incorporated Spectacles
The Mita Mamma Glasses Record Your Surroundings in High Definition
10
Bionic Eye Implants
Second Sight's Argus II Gives The Gift of Vision to the Blind
9
Stylish Tiredness-Tracking Spectacles
These Fatigue Glasses Hide Sensors Inside Wearable Designs
8
Seasonal Affective Disorder Eyewear
The Light Therapy Glasses by Troy Hudson Combats Mood Swings
7
Flash Fog-Inducing Eyeglasses
Wink Helps Ease Computer Vision Syndrome for the Tech-Obsessed
6
Search Engine Shades (UPDATED)
The Updated Google Glass Includes a Single Earbud
5
Convertible Prescription Specs
Frameri Lets You Swap Out Your Frames and Lenses at Will
4
Tint-Switching Eyeglasses
The Georgia Tech Glasses Can Manually Be Switched to 'Sunglass Mode'
3
Stylish Prescription Smart Glasses
Google Glass's Titanium Collection Makes Prescriptions Smarter
2
Blind-Assisting Glasses
These Glasses Help Visually Impaired People Navigate Their Environment
1
Color Blindness Eyewear
The EnChroma Glasses Have Special Lenses that Correct Color Vision
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Natural Hemp Sunglasses
The Hemp Eyewear Collection is Made Exclusively from Cannabis
Reality-Bending Object Designs
These Surreal Designs by Colarusso Giuseppe are Unnaturally Natural
Cosplay-Inspired Contacts
Finish Off Your Costume with Movie and Anime Halloween Contact Lenses
Vinyl Record Eyewear
Vinylize Eyeglasses Repurposes Old Records into Wearable Fashion
Stylish Tech-Integrated Specs
'Sourcebits' Imagines the Google Glass and Warby Parker Partnership
3D-Printed Eyeglasses
The Eyewear Kit Allows People to Customize Their Prescription Glasses
Sporty Militant Sunglasses
The Lightweight Mallory Mylon Sunglasses are Incredibly Hip
Wearable Tech Glasses
The Lumus DK-40 Will be Google Glasses’ Biggest Competitor in 2014
Geometric Architectural Shades
These Design Sunglasses by 13&9 Are Stunning and Futuristic
Informative Text-Sharing Spectacles
The 'Glassup' Augmented Reality Glasses Add Text to Activities
Speedy Sunglasses Delivery Services
Warby Express Has Your Back—Or Eyes—This Long Weekend
Font-Inspired Eyewear
The Helvetica and Garamond Eyeglasses are Made for Designers
DIY Privacy Monitors
This Hack Lets You Hide What's on Your Computer Screen From Everyone But You
Femininely Retro Eyewear
The Leith for Warby Parker Collection is Whimsical and Retro
Frameless Fluorescent Sunglasses
The Magic Touch Japan Cinderella Eyewear Collection is Chic
Surreal Sliced Beer Glasses
These Frosted Beer Pints Give Off Quite the Illusion
80s Inspired Surfer Sunnies
The Emma Mulholland x Pared Eyewear Collection is Vibrantly Retro
Modern-Vintage Sunglasses
The Kris Van Assche S/S 2012 Collection Makes Contemporary Eyewear Retro
Panoramic Action Cameras
The Tamaggo ibi 360 Makes Panoramic Pictures and Video Fast and Easy
Mobile Eye Examinations
Peek Vision Attempts to Combat Needless Blindness
Infamous Pop Star Accessories
This Miley Cyrus Costume Stands Out From the Pack
Spacecraft-Inspired Eyewear
EXOvault's Chunky Aluminum Glasses are Made Out of Solid Metal
Iconic 3D-Printed Spectacles
The PQ Springs Collection Features the First Pair of Monolithic Specs
Hi-Tech Vision-Correcting Gadgets
Google X's Smart Contact Lens is Designed for Diabetes Patients
Illness-Treating Contact Lenses
The Google Lens Has Amazing Medical Applications
Avant-Garde Sensory Gardens
New Sensorium Enhances Outdoor Experiences with Biological Innovation
Screw-Swapping Customizable Glasses
Nendo's Magne-Hinge Uses Magnets to Create Customizable Frames
MOD Revival Spectacles
The Lunettes Kollektion Spring/Summer 2013 Eyewear Line is 60s-Inspired
Futuristic Polymer Sunnies
The VAVA Eyewear Collection Embraces Bold Minimalism
Night-Vision Contact Lenses
A New Material Graphene Could be Used in Lenses to See in the Dark
Color Blind-Addressing Browsers
Google Chrome ReColor Project Will Allow Users to Adjust Colors
Retro Gaming Blinds
English Blinds Created a Cooler Shading Option for Geeks
Intelligent Smartphone Docks
The Lumawake iPhone Dock Reacts to Your Movements
Fatigue-Sensing Glasses
Jin Meme App-Connected Glasses Send Phone Notifications When You're Tired
Compact Eyewear Cases
The Tanner Goods Cases are Slim Enough to Fit Snugly in Your Pocket
Hi-Tech Spectacles
The Nexus Glasses Make Interacting With Your TV as Simple as a Sideways Glance
Tactile Sight Devices
The Braille Contact Lens by Bar Ilan University Gives Sight to the Blind
Sunglass-Mounted Cameras
The Geco Mark II Action Cam Records Footage From Your Glasses
Recycled Skateboard Sunnies
The Brak Eyewear Collection Features Chic Upcycled Accessories
Pocket-Friendly Cameras
The Fujifilm XQ2 Takes Quality Images From a Small Package
Colorful Sun-Blocking Contacts
Marietta's Sports Contact Lenses Are Like Tinted Sunglasses
Medical Revolution Infographics
This Graph Reveals How Google Glass Could Change Medicine
Wearable Streaming Cameras
The SnapCam Was Unveiled At CES 2015
Athletically Ernest Fashion Campaigns
The Adidas Originals Blue Fall/Winter 2014 Ads Are Intense
Durable Compact Vacuums
The Dyson DC51 Animal Does More With Less
Customized Performance-Enhancing Tools
The Vigo Tracks Your Alertness and Improves Performance
Bifocal Optometry Branding
Interapothek Optical Packaging Features Spectacles That Look Tow Ways
Movie-Inspired 3D Goggles
Dave Delisle's Novelty 3D Glasses Mimic Jurassic Park Goggles
Blind-Assisting Smartphone Cases
The Samsung Ultrasonic Phone Cover Assists the Blind in New Areas
Camera-Incorporated Spectacles
The Mita Mamma Glasses Record Your Surroundings in High Definition
Rock Sunglasses
The 'Concrete Sunglasses' are Made by Xyz Integrated Architecture
Assistive Listening Spectacles
Himri Glasses Make Sounds Visible to Users with Hearing Impairments
Immersible Product Launch Videos
This Video Demonstrates How it Feels to Look Through Google Glass
Funky Foldable Sunglasses
The Sunpocket 2014 Collection is Stylish and Stashable
Vintage Specs Contact Cases
This Contact Lens Case Looks Just Like a Pair of Retro Glasses
Sight-Sharing Apps
Be My Eyes is a Crowdsourced Video Chat that Helps Blind Individuals
Panoramic Smart Cameras
The 360fly Will Capture a 360-Degree View in Nearly Any Condition
Tiredness-Tracking Headbands
Impecca's Driver-Targeted Alert Band Will Be on Display at CES 2015
Space Age Fashion
The Latest Spring-Summer Line for Satu Maaranen is Retro Futuristic
Educational Eyewear Infographics
This Chart Points Out 30 Uses for Google Glass in the Classroom
Biodegradable Eco-Friendly Eyewear
Protect Your Eyes & the Planet with these Sustainable Shades
Chic Unbreakable Sunglasses
Italia Independant's Sunglasses I-ULTRA are Made for Clumsy Girls
Jetlag-Soothing Spectacles
The 'Re-Timer' Light Therapy Glasses Can Reset Your Internal Clock
Fountain Pen-Like Spectacles
Seniors Will Never Misplace These 'See Home' Reading Glasses
Reactive Golden Sunglasses
The Ray-Ban Ambermatic Collection Celebrates the Brand's Anniversary
Seasonal Affective Disorder Eyewear
The Light Therapy Glasses by Troy Hudson Combats Mood Swings
Health-Sensing Eyewear
O2Amps Glasses Can Help Doctors Assess Oxygen Levels in Blood
Nerdy Spectacle Style Blogs
‘White Men Wearing Google Glass’ Showcases this Chic Acces
Revolutionary Vision Correction
Oxford University's Smart Glasses Enhance Vision Among Impaired
Sustainable Wooden Sunglasses
Every Purchase of the Seed Colored Sunglasses Plants Five New Trees
Wearable Lifelogging Cameras
The Narrative Clip 2 Lifelogging Camera Makes Its Debut at CES 2015
Gazing Blindness Photography
These Ruben Plasencia Canino Photos Make You See Things Differently
Picture-Displaying Eyewear
The Sunglasses Photo Frame is a Fun Way to Store your Favorite Moments
Tech-Infused Supportive Undergarments
Microsoft's Smart Bra is Designed to Help Stop Overeating
Glasses-Free 3D Tablets
This 3D Tablet by Hammacher Schlemmer Doesn’t Need Glasses
Compact Travel Cameras
The New Panasonic Lumix Travel Cameras Were Unveiled At CES 2015
Color-Changing Contact Lenses
'Eye Candy for Diabetics' May Eliminate Using Needles
Jetlag Curing Light Showers
Delta's Photon Shower Creates a Custom Light Therapy for Jetlag
Sleek Slot Workstation Storage
The Desk Rail Helps Arrange Office Supplies for a Clean Apple Setup
Romantic Laser-Cut Eyewear
Pixie Market's Sweet Heart Sunglasses Resemble Luxurious Lace
Magnetized Aluminum Sunglasses
These Sunglasses by Monte Cool are Designed to Last
Flash Fog-Inducing Eyeglasses
Wink Helps Ease Computer Vision Syndrome for the Tech-Obsessed
Tech-Infused Pet Glasses
Google Glass for Dogs Hopes to Improve Communication in Crises
Elegant Selfie Cameras
The Fujifilm X-A2 Helps You Grab Better Selfies
Line-Drawing Eyeglasses
The Ksubi Eyewear Sigma Frames Appear Almost Two-Dimensional
Search Engine Car Accessories
The ‘Driving with Google Glass’ Infographic Examines Pos
Social Media-Focused Cameras
The Polaroid Socialmatic Camera is Equipped with WiFi
Photo Filter Sunglasses
Tens Sunglasses Let You View the Real World in Instagram Hues
Human Skin-Like Contraceptives
The Hydrogel Condom is the Next Generation in Pleasure & Protection
Dynamic Organizing Stands
The Catchall is a Stand for Your Small Accessories
Hygienic Optic Applicators
The Contact Lens Helper Streamlines and Sanitizes the Insertion Process
Frightening Fitness Simulators
This Fitness App Trains Your Body by Scaring It
Lazy Person Eyewear
The Prism Glasses Eliminates Strain in Neck and Arms When Reading
Interchangeable Lens Eyewear
The Frameri Eyewear Lenses Can Be Easily Swapped and Changed
Vision Improvement Apps
GlassesOff Uses Gamification to Reduce Need for Vision-Correcting Devices
Retro Cartoon Trio Cosplay
Three Friends Dressed Up as the 90s Cartoon Daria, Trent and Jane
Semi-Spectacle Magnifiers
La Lunette Magnifying Glass is an Iconic Monocle for Print Deciphering
Neo-60s Sunglasses
The Warby Parker Fall Collection Brings a Retro Touch to Wardrobes
SAD-Combating Commuter Shelters
The Umea Bus Stops Helps Relieve Depression During Winter
Sound-Enhancing Champagne Amplifiers
Krug Champagne Amplifier Lets You Hear the Sound of Bubbles
Cordless Conversation Spectacles
Walk and Talk Anywhere Using the Hands-Free Videophone Lenses
Weatherproof Cameras
The Fujifilm FinePix XP80 is Shockproof, Freezeproof and Dustproof
Reflective Flaring Pegs
The Ready Wall Hook & Mirror Streamline the Process of Leaving Your Home
Weapon-Mimicking Shot Glasses
Muzzleshot's Novelty Shot Glasses Imitate a Gun's Flash Surpressor
Glamorously Retro Shades
The Vintage Frames Line by Corey Shapiro Pays Tribute to Decades Past
Telescopic Contact Lenses
Contact Lenses That Allow you to Zoom in on Life
Boy Band Eyeglasses
Vision Express Collaborated for a Line of One Direction Fashion Eyeglasses
Posture-Correcting Cushions
The Tech-Savvy Smart Cushion by Darma Helps You Sit Upright
Contract-Magnifying Eyewear Ads
The Visionlab Prescription Glasses Campaign Hones in on Fine Print
High Tech Contact Lenses
The Ghent University Eyewear Works with LCD Displays
Page-Flipping Eyewear
The Fraunhofer Glasses Tracks Eye Movements for True Handsfree Experience
Contemporary Goggle Glasses
Zero + Maria Cornejo's Spring/Summer 2013 Eyewear Line is Modern
Braille-Like Tactile Technologies
These Visual Impairment Aids Let the Blind Feel What's On Screen
Chic Reversible Shades
The HAiK w/ KAIBOSH Two-Way Sunglasses are Cleverly Reversible
Interlace Eyewear Collections
The Dolce & Gabbana Filigree Eyewear Collection is Fanciful and Posh
Robotic Braille Dicta-Teachers
This Cheap Braille Display Will Improve Literacy in Indian Slums
Personalized Eyecare Apps
The Better Vision App Makes Suggestions for Vision Correction
Blind-Accessible Games
‘Grail to the Thief’ is an Interactive Audio Adventure Game
Thai Automotive Safety Apps
The Drive Awake App Directs Sleepy Drivers to the Nearest Coffee Shop
Video-Capturing Eyewear
The Pivothead Colfax Glasses Can Capture a Variety of Video
Light Therapy Visors
Fade Away Your Winter Blues with the YumaLite LED Visor