gafas

Gafas are a form of eyewear designed to correct refractive errors, protect the eyes, or shield them from sunlight. They consist of lenses mounted in a frame that sits over the nose and ears. The lenses may be designed to correct vision with single-vision, bifocal, or progressive powers, and can be made from glass, plastic, or polycarbonate. Modern lenses often include features such as UV protection, anti-reflective coatings, scratch resistance, and, in some cases, polarization or photochromic tinting that darkens in response to light.

Frames come in various materials (plastic such as cellulose acetate; metal such as titanium) and styles (full rim, semi-rimless, or rimless). The frame includes a bridge over the nose and temples that rest over the ears. Lenses may also be treated with blue-light filtering coatings for digital screen use.

Gafas are used as prescription eyewear, sunglasses (gafas de sol) for sun protection, safety glasses in work environments, and sport or fashion eyewear. In optician practice, a clinician prescribes a lens correction after an eye examination, and a technician cuts and grinds lenses to fit frames.

Care and maintenance involve cleaning with a microfiber cloth and appropriate lens cleaner, avoiding harsh chemicals, and having frames adjusted professionally when needed to ensure comfort and proper fit.

History notes that the concept began in Europe in the 13th century with the invention of spectacles, enabling near vision for reading; the exact origin and inventor are subjects of historical record.