"Fake" or Nonprescriptive Eyeglasses

[DemosthenesRN]

I know a man in nursing school who wears glasses for accessory and not for medical need. He told me he began doing so when he started working as an aid in a local hospital. He says that he believes people take him more seriously when he wears his glasses than not.

I have known him for years and never would have guessed that his glasses were not a prescription; those days he came in without them I assumed he was wearing contacts. Now I look around me and wonder how many other hospital staff are also wearing glasses for reasons other than poor eyesight.

I did have a colleague who was splashed in the eye with gastric juices when performing a G-tube feeding, and he said his glasses helped deflect some of the material. I don't need them, and I find myself pondering the benefits.

Those of you who wear glasses, do you find they are protective? If you wear both glasses and contacts, do you notice you make different impressions on others depending on your choice? Is there anyone who wears glasses and can admit to perfect vision?

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

LOL! Saints preserve me from Hipsters in the workplace. You should always follow correct policy (PPE-wise) when performing any invasive procedure. This would include eye protection when engaging in anything with a potential to sling wet nasties around.

I think I can speak for a lot of visually impaired (myopia) folks... glasses are a pain to deal with. It's nice to know that they make me smart (snark). I opt for contacts whenever possible.

I just recently came across the phrase "the Baldrick Generation" to describe hysterically clueless people. If you don't get that reference, you probably aren't as old as I am - or as fond of watching BBC comedies. But what's next? Wearing leg braces to impress people with your stamina? Fake hearing aid so you have an excuse to ignore people? Adding 'gray hair' or creating a fake receding hairline to give the impression of aged wisdom?

[nrsang97, BSN, RN]

Funny thing a few seconds ago there was an add for eyeglasses at the top of the page. No seriously don't get fake glasses for the fact it makes you think your taken more seriously. How you carry yourself and how professional you are will get you taken seriously.

[monkeybug]

I've worn glasses since preschool (and contacts don't really agree with my eyes) so I cannot tell you if people take me more or less seriously. They have saved me from some fluid splashes during procedures. But, I would much prefer to not need glasses and to be able to just wear the goggles provided for personal protection. I'm just shaking my head at the idea of someone wearing glasses so someone takes them more seriously.

[klone, MSN, RN]

LOL! Saints preserve me from Hipsters in the workplace.

Hahaha

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

I wear the dreaded 'old lady-style, perched on the nose reading glasses' which double as an attractive headband when not in use....

They cost $8 at Walmart.

Hipsters? Bah.

[Fiona59]

The eyeglass add is on the side of my screen!

I had a coworker who did this. He said it made him look more in charge and responsible!

[DemosthenesRN]

Thanks for the replies. (And the laughs!) I really appreciate the insight. I tend to consider just about any new idea from a variety of perspectives, and sometimes it's hard for me to estimate how the majority would feel about a given thing. It's not a great leap of intellect to realize that anyone who feels they need an accessory to be taken seriously is trying to compensate for something, which is in itself a ludicrous thing. Confidence, capability, and authenticity favor a reputation, where any facade will ruin it. And yet... people by design do judge others based on physical appearances; the research is not at all vague on this point.

Let me just say that I can understand his efforts. (Although I may not be able to prevent myself from thinking of him as a hipster from this point on.)

[Hygiene Queen]

I just recently came across the phrase "the Baldrick Generation" to describe hysterically clueless people.

Ah.

These must be the same people who think if you "have two beans, and then... add two more beans" that you end up with a "very small casserole".

[HeatherGurl84]

I wear glasses for true prescription purposes...not the benefit of stopping bodily fluid splashes. lol!

[Swellz]

I'm gonna go ahead and take the person seriously who wears the correct eyeware and PPE for the current situation, rather than the person who wears fake glasses for the sake of whatever lol

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

I have had to wear glasses for many, many years. I am next to blind without them, and can not wear contacts. Too chicken for corrective surgery. Nice to know my "4 eyes" and my bone of contention for all this time makes me look smarter.....

However, I still put on goggles when I am presented with bodily fluids in the workplace. Per PPE protocol. They are disposible. I swiftly learned early on that cleaning my prescription lenses are sometimes more icky than not otherwise....