Modern plastic lenses are light and protect the eye from ultraviolet light, which can contribute to age-related eye disease.

Because of big advances in the development of high-index plastics, even people with a high prescription are no longer condemned to heavy spectacles that look like milk-bottle ends. Ultra-thin lens coatings mean that plastic lenses are now far more durable and perform better.

Suitable for traditionalists, Buddy Holly enthusiasts, and people with a high prescription for whom contact lens may not be suitable.

Cost From £110, but special frames and lenses can cost hundreds of pounds.

Computer glasses are an innovation for those over 45 who normally need reading glasses and find working at computer screens tricky; the writing can look blurry. Computer lenses are similar to multifocals, or progressive addition lenses (PAL), which allow shortsighted people to see in the distance and also to focus on objects that are very close. The difference in computer lenses is that the part of the lens used for distance is small, and the part used for looking at the computer screen is higher than in conventional PAL.

Suitable for silver surfers

Cost From £100 a pair.

Styleyes Short-sighted people can have problems choosing glasses when not wearing prescription spectacles, simply because their reflection is so blurry. Dolland & Aitchison has introduced a computer-based system which analyses your colouring, facial shape and lifestyle, puts your face on screen and then puts glasses on you in virtual reality.

Suitable for myopic narcissists.

Cost Free if you’re buying spectacles.

CONTACT LENSES

Contact lenses are healthier and safer than they’ve ever been. The risk of infection caused by mucus or protein building up on the lens often puts people off. But the development of thinner, daily disposable lenses, which don’t need cleaning solutions, has cut down this risk greatly. Researchers are trying to develop anti-microbial lenses to eliminate infections.