Although some Ancient
Roman writers made
reference to eyeglasses of
beryl gemstone worn by the Emperor
Nero, the earliest framed lenses to correct defects in
vision were made in
China in the 10th century. They did not appear in
Europe until the later 13th century and are first recorded in
Britain in 1326.
These early spectacles were held in the
hand or perched on the
bridge of the
nose. Rigid arms to connect with the
ears and fasten the lenses were invented by Edward Scarlett, a British
optician, in 1724.
The
manufacture of spectacles then increased greatly and the
quality of the lenses used also improved.