When it comes to protecting your eyes, you need to do more than just get regular tests, eat well, and limit your screen time. The sun's UV rays can penetrate them whenever you're outdoors, making wearing sunglasses a crucial step for taking care of your eyes. By blocking out 100% of UVA and UVB rays, they make you less vulnerable to overexposure, which can cause blindness-causing cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.
But what if you need vision correction? After all, so many people now have refractive errors that half the world's population will need to wear glasses by 2050. If you already do and are wondering how to wear them alongside sunglasses, you have a couple of options, including clip-on sunglasses and transition lenses. However, these solutions may not be convenient or effective. Clip-on sunglasses can break easily and may not be big enough to cover your regular glasses to provide UV protection. And though transition lenses do offer such protection, they don't work well in cars and during the winter months.
Fortunately, you can try one other kind of eyewear: prescription sunglasses. Here's what you need to know about them.
What are prescription sunglasses?
It's pretty simple: they're regular sunglasses with your prescription worked into the lenses. When you buy prescription sunglasses, you get corrected vision on top of consistent 100% UV protection—providing effectiveness and ease of use that clip-on sunglasses and transition lenses don't offer. Retailer Eyebuydirect gives you the option to add your prescription to your sunglasses, so get an updated copy from your optometrist before purchasing your pair from brands like Ray-Ban, Oakley, and RFLKT.
Can you get prescription sunglasses for different vision correction needs?
Yes—many prescription sunglasses don't just accommodate simple single-vision refractive errors like near- and farsightedness but also more complex bifocal, multifocal, and progressive prescriptions. Bifocal and multifocal lenses have two distinct sections that help you see clearly at different distances, while progressive prescription sunglasses seamlessly merge those two prescriptions into a single lens. However, take note that though you can buy virtually any sunglasses model for vision correction, that option may not be available for products like ARNETTE's Saturnya if your prescription is too high. That's because the shape of the lens may not be able to accommodate it sturdily within its frames, especially if you require thicker lenses.
What additional features can you get on prescription sunglasses?
Though getting prescription lenses for your sunglasses is already considered an additional feature, you can get a few more on top of them. For example, you can get anti-scratch coatings to ensure your new corrective sunnies last longer, while people who work on screens for long hours can get anti-reflective or blue light coatings for more visual comfort and less fatigue and strain. However, one particular feature you may want to invest in is a polarized coating. It will supplement your sunglasses' UV protection by also blocking the sun's glare—which can cause temporary vision loss through conditions like photokeratitis.
Are prescription sunglasses more expensive?
Prescription sunglasses are more expensive than their traditional counterparts since you're getting a lens upgrade. That's especially true if you get some of the additional features mentioned above. Fortunately, though, you can get them between $20-$100, so just choose a brand and model within your budget. You can even take advantage of FSA during checkout if you have it.
When should you use them?
The best time to use prescription sunglasses is when you need to spend prolonged periods outdoors during the day. That makes them perfect to wear on vacation and when playing sports. If you decide to get yours polarized, they'll also be great for driving—where they'll protect you from both the sun's glare and UV rays, which can affect your visibility and safety on the road. However, like regular sunglasses, it's best to keep them off and replace them with your glasses when driving at night. Their dark tint may prevent you from seeing the road clearly, which is why their use at this time is banned in places like the UK.
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