Prescription sunglasses are an essential piece of eyewear for those that wear glasses to correct their vision. There are so many situations where sunglasses are preferable, and not having the prescription correction in the glasses can impair your ability to function.
For example, many people require a prescription in order to drive. These are primarily people who require correction for seeing things in the distance, although some farsighted people struggle as well and require glasses to drive. On a bright day, driving without sunglasses can be dangerous and driving without a prescription can be illegal. Therefore, you will need a pair of prescription sunglasses.
Other people enjoy being outdoors a lot, which requires sunglasses in the summer or year round for places with bright sun. These people engage in activities where the ability to see clearly is advantageous. For example, those that are fond of cycling would probably prefer to see where they are going.
Prescription sunglasses can be acquired at the optometrist or vision center where you got your original prescription. There are always places online that offer discounted prices on prescription glasses, regular or sunglasses, but they have a few downsides. First, you are unable to try on the glasses, which can lead to the purchase of glasses that you find unflattering.
Also, there’s a matter of trust. Do you trust the online company to provide the right prescription and right style of glasses to you? There are ways to mitigate the trust issue, for example, you can read reviews of the company and if you have friends that have purchased prescription glasses online you can ask for their opinion.
For most people, however, the obvious answer is to return to their optometrist or vision center and request a pair of prescription sunglasses. Keep in mind your level of vision coverage through your insurance, if you have vision coverage. Many companies only allow a new pair of frames every other year.
If that is the case, you will likely want to stagger your glasses purchases, buying a new pair of regular glasses one year and a new pair of sunglasses the next. The only concern with this system is if your prescription is changing more rapidly than that, because you could end up with glasses that are not correcting your vision sufficiently.
Buying a pair of prescription sunglasses is an essential purchase for many people who require glasses to function. However, the process requires some thought and planning. It also requires consideration of your vision coverage, if you have vision coverage at all. For many people, buying a pair of prescription sunglasses without insurance assistance can be a large purchase, so put some thought and research into your options before making your purchase.
I’m a eye lens professional with expertise in prescription sunglasses.