Director Solomon Watkins has high myopia with a glasses prescription of -8.00 and -11.00 dioptres. High myopia is extreme shortsightedness and is classified when a prescription is -6.00 dioptres or stronger. As a proud high myope, Solomon has met some quirky characters who also celebrate their high myopia and passion for thick frames. One such encounter prompted the creation of his new short documentary “Real Thick Glasses”, which was supported and funded by Together TV’s Diverse Film Fund in collaboration with Cat Flap Media. 

It’s a fantastic documentary that will open your eyes - pun intended - to the misrepresentation of glasses in TV, film and even advertising. As a device that helps around 70% of the world’s population see, we realised there is much we don’t know about the humble specs. 

Off the back of Solomon’s Real Thick Glasses documentary, we wanted to help set the record straight about high myopia and share the reasons why we should marvel and celebrate glasses in all their forms.

1. Glasses were a best kept secret!

Nothing shouts “this is a big deal!” than keeping it secret. That’s what happened to the talented glass blowers who first invented the wearable specs we use today. Whilst there is evidence of Romans using magnifying glasses, the first pairs of wearable glasses were made on a small island in Venice, Italy. Due to the scarcity and enviable skill, this talent was kept secret for many decades.

2. From Nose-Squeezers to Ear-Easers

When the rest of Europe discovered the Italian secret, glasses became more widespread. However, this model rested on the nose and often needed to be held. It wasn’t until the 1700s that glasses were designed with arms to rest on our ears. There were many variations but the version we use today has been tried and tested, being the most comfortable.

3. The domestication of frames

Glasses used to be made from materials such as leather, tortoiseshell, horn, whalebone, iron, silver and bronze. Today, glasses frames are mostly made of lightweight titanium, other metals or durable plastic.

4. How high is high?

A person who needs a vision prescription of -6.00 dioptres (D) or more has high myopia. Whereas a prescription between 0.50 and 5.00 dioptres is a mild to moderate myopia. 

5. Square peg, round hole

Myopia, commonly referred to as shortsightedness, primarily occurs as the result of a slightly elongated eyeball shape. When the eyeball is too long, light focuses too far in front of the retina. This causes distant objects to look blurry. However with high myopia, you often have the ability to see objects closer to your eyes than other people, almost like a macro lens!

6. High Myopia = High Intelligence?

Several studies have found a correlation between myopia and higher levels of intelligence. Research from around the world shows that individuals with myopia often have higher education levels and IQ scores. While the exact cause remains debated, it is a possibility that higher intelligence might contribute to the development of myopia.

7. World Records in Glasses Collection

Whilst we couldn’t hunt down a world record for the largest glasses collection, Michael Lipschitz who Solomon meets in his documentary Real Thick Glasses has an impressive collection. He decided to start embracing his thick glasses in his 20 after considering them as a collectible item instead. He identifies each pair with the friends that donated them to him.

8. Glasses can be iconic

Whilst many people choose to wear contact lenses, there are some people embracing a bespectacled look. Some of the most iconic glasses include John Lennon’s Windsor glasses and Elton John's colourful frames. Even in books, characters like Where's Wally and Arthur the Aardvark have become synonymous with their iconic frames. 

9. The future is crystal clear

Like many of our day-to-day objects, technology is being used to develop glasses. Recently, there have been autofocusing glasses which dynamically adjust the thickness of lenses depending on how far and big objects are!

There is so much to celebrate when it comes to high myopia and thick glasses. Dive further into this quirky world with Solomon Watkins’ Real Thick Glasses. Available to watch on Together TV’s streaming service, or check the TV Guide for when you can tune in on Freeview, Freesat, Virgin or Sky.

Celebrate the journey and embrace the beauty of glasses with Together TV and see how thick frames can tell a remarkable story!