<P> Scattered evidence exists for use of vision aid devices in greek and roman times, most prominently the use of an emerald by emperor Nero as mentioned by Pliny the Elder . </P> <P> The use of a convex lens to form an enlarged / magnified image was most likely described in Ptolemy's Optics (which however only survives in a poor Arabic translation). Ptolemy's description of lenses was commented upon and improved by Ibn Sahl (10th century) and most notably by Alhazen (Book of Optics, ca . 1021). Latin translations of Ptolemy's Optics and of Alhazen became available in Europe in the 12th century, coinciding with the development of "reading stones". </P> <P> Robert Grosseteste's treatise De iride ("On the Rainbow"), written between 1220 and 1235, mentions using optics to "read the smallest letters at incredible distances". A few years later in 1262, Roger Bacon is also known to have written on the magnifying properties of lenses . The development of the first eyeglasses took place in Northern Italy in the second half of the 13th century . </P> <P> Independently of the development of optical lenses, some cultures developed "sunglasses" for eye protection, without any corrective properties . Thus, flat panes of smoky quartz, were used in 12th - century China . Similarly, the Inuit have used snow goggles for eye protection . </P>

When were the first pair of eyeglasses made