What Are Fake Glasses?

Non-prescription or fake glasses are popular these days as a fashion accessory and protection from computer screen exposure. 

Fake glasses vary in quality, and there are often confusing claims about blue-light blocking benefits. Because of that, choosing the right pair can be tricky.

Here’s everything you need to know to confidently embrace fake glasses without sacrificing safety or style.

Why Do People Wear Fake Glasses?

Fake glasses usually refer to eyewear featuring plano (non-prescription) lenses or frames without lenses at all. Most people wear them to create a specific look or enhance their attire.

Surveys show about 36% of U.S. adults use non-prescription eyewear such as reading glasses or fashion frames, indicating their mainstream fashion acceptance.

People also use them as props for portraying characters in theater, film, or cosplay. Some people may even add blue-light blocking lenses to their non-prescription glasses to reduce digital eye strain from phones and computers.

Pros and Cons of Non-Prescription Glasses

Fake glasses are relatively inexpensive. They also come in a variety of shapes and styles to complement a person’s outfit.

While non-prescription eyeglasses have their advantages, wearing them can cause people to delay or even avoid undergoing regular eye exams. Professional advice is recommended even if you wear non-prescription glasses.

Some states ban the sale of eye lenses with refraction over +3.50 diopters, but they can still be purchased online. Doctors don’t recommend buying glasses with higher values without medical advice.

How Much Do Fake Glasses Cost?

Fake glasses can cost from $5 up to $500, depending on the brand or quality. If you want to experiment with fake eyeglasses, there are plenty of places to buy them. 

For affordable fake glasses, discount stores like Walmart and Dollar Tree often have bestsellers available. GlassesUSA is another good option for a range of styles. 

Meanwhile, the designer Warby Parker has a great selection if you want high-quality options.

Popular Types of Fake Glasses Frames

Various types of frames are available for fake glasses. They're affordable accessories with different materials and styles for different face shapes.

Here are some of the most popular fake glasses frames available without a prescription:

Cat-Eye Frames

Geek/Nerd Glasses

Horn Rimmed Glasses

Vintage Style Glasses

Rose Gold Glasses

Non-Prescription Glasses for Safety

You need to consider the material if you’re looking for safety glasses or goggles for work, sports, or other physical activities. 

Before buying fake glasses, here are some materials to take into consideration:

Material	Impact Resistance	UV Protection	Best For
Acrylic	Low resistance. Easily cracks or shatters.	None (requires coatings).	Novelty use; limited practicality.
CR-39	Moderate resistance. Cracks under strong force.	Partial (needs UV coating).	Fashion frames, good clarity.
Polycarbonate	High resistance. 10× stronger than CR-39	Excellent (inherent UV blocking).	Safety eyewear, sports, and everyday use.

Polycarbonate is recommended for its high impact resistance and built-in UV protection, making it the safest choice for regular wear or active lifestyles.

Are Fake Eyeglasses Harmful?

Although non-prescription glasses don't cause long-term harm, they won't address refractive errors or other eye-related problems. Over-the-counter clear lenses with magnifying properties may also have small bubbles or imperfections, affecting your vision.

We spoke to Cameron McCrodan, who has a Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) degree. He’s also a Fellow of the College of Optometrists in Vision Development (FCOVD). 

According to him, non-prescription glasses are often used for fashion or blocking blue light, which is generally safe for people without specific vision issues. For some, it can help reduce eye strain caused by prolonged screen time. 

However, the polycarbonate material found in most non-prescription glasses has a low ABBE value. This means it doesn't have good optical qualities, potentially resulting in visual strain, fatigue, and worse visual quality. 

Are Blue-Light Blocking Coatings Safe?

McCrodan mentioned that there have been concerns about the safety and effectiveness of blue light-blocking coatings. Some coatings aren’t high-quality and may lead to some unintended consequences.

Recent placebo-controlled randomized trials (RCTs) consistently show little to no benefit in reducing digital eye strain symptoms with blue-light blocking glasses. A comprehensive Cochrane review analyzed 17 rigorous studies and found no meaningful difference in eye strain between blue-blocking and standard clear lenses.

Typical blue-block lenses filter around 15% to 35% of blue-violet (400 to 450 nm) wavelengths. However, studies find this filtering doesn’t noticeably ease symptoms like fatigue, headaches, or blurred vision from screen exposure.

How to Pick the Right Fake Glasses

There are various non-prescription glasses available on the market besides the popular ones we recommend. However, it can be challenging to find the right frames for you. 

Here are some tips on how to pick the perfect frames:

• Determine your face shape and find frames that accentuate your features.
• Find colors that match your skin tone.
• Consider the durability and material of the frame.