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People with prescription sunglasses: do you get use out of them?

Astrid

Veteran

Now that spring is slowly arriving I'm thinking about getting sunglasses again. I wear specs and can't use contacts, so I'd have to get prescription sunglasses if I wanted a pair. But I wonder if it would be worth spending all that money. If you have a pair, do you get use out of them? I fear they might be impractical what with changing frames when I'm not outside and so on.

Dressing

34 replies

Latest reply was from agil

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

My new glasses are transition lenses - they go dark outside and then go light when I come back inside. They really are the best of both worlds. I'm not keen on having to change my glasses for in and outside so this works really well for me. The only downside is they don't go dark when I'm in the car because car windshields already have UVA/UVB filters so the glasses don't pick that up.

christieanne

Veteran

I just invested in a pair last time I updated my glasses. I do wear contacts primarily but always wear sunglasses outside so DH suggested it.
DH was a huge influence on this for me - he has had Rx sunglasses for years and faithfully switches between them. Always carries one pair in a soft case in his pocket/car so never scratches the other. He does not switch out all the time - for example on a quick stop in a shop he will just leave sunglasses on. He can't really see without glasses.
It's just of those things you have to get used to I suppose.

Meredith1953

Veteran

I have a pair of prescription Raybans that wrap around. I really like them! I also have had some transitional lenses and they work but take awhile to change back from dark to light.

Astrid

Veteran

Shannon, I imagine that this would be very practical! But since I just renewed my specs last summer I'm not in for a new pair and I imagine that transition lenses are expensive too.

Christieanne, you're right I suppose that you have to get used to it. I'm just not sure if they would get enough use to justify the expense in my case. I never wore sunglasses before because I've had glasses since I was five years old and I managed life without them so far. But I love the idea of having a pair!

Meredith, I guess that was annoying that they took so long to change.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I like my 'scripted' sunglasses for long drives - otherwise I go glaringly blind even though I have UV coating on my normal glasses (terrified of getting cataracts!)

If you are a contacts lens wearer (I'm not); I wouldn't bother, though.

ETA: If you have bad eyes, be prepared to hunt very hard for a pair of styling shades that will accommodate your script. It's easier to pick a pair of normal glasses and get them tinted, but that's less fun. I have a pair of racing glasses (mountain biking) that had to be custom made for my stupid eyes. Very expensive.

Nebraskim

Veteran

I have had both prescription sunglasses and clip-on tinted clips that attach to my regular glasses via either magnets or metal clips. Prescriptions are better in some ways because they can be tinted darker, etc. They are semi a pain because you are constantly putting them on and off. I like the clips because they can be taken off in a flash, and then popped into a pocket or purse. If you are the kind of person who misplaces things, clips might not be a good idea as you can easily put them down and forget them. (I've not done that but my spouse has). I am not a fan of the transitioning lens because they do not work in the car and they often darken in offices. I agree with Lyn* that if you have a heavy prescription, like I do, your frame choice can be limiting. I am a huge fan of this company, Warby Parker, an online company with uber cool frames. They are inexpensive, too, if you are looking for single prescription. If you wear no-line trifocals like I do, then you can just buy the frames alone and get your script some place else.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Oh my, yes! I've never worn contacts, and I need glasses for distances (driving, watching TV or a movie, even going running), so I wear my prescription sunglasses probably just as much as my regular glasses. I've had my current frames (thin gold Oliver Peoples aviators) for going on two years, and they're holding up beautifully. I cannot imagine being without prescription sunglasses.

Irene

Veteran

I'm a glasses wearer too and don't have prescripted sunglasses. I'll be honest with you and myself on this one though: once upon a time I used to wear contacts and my eyes could stand them for long hours, but not even then did I feel the need to wear sunglasses. I actually got a pair of good ones when I got my rigid contacts and I think I might have worn them like twice. Yes, sometimes I wish I had some prescription sunglasses because the sun can be a bit of a pain sometimes but, let's face it, I know I wouldn't wear them that much.

I don't drive though, maybe if I did I would need a pair. Do you drive?

Diana

Veteran

I wear mine all the time. My eyes are quite sensitive to sun so I switch out my specs for prescription sunglasses pretty much any time I am in the sun for more than a couple of minutes. It did take me like six months to find frames that I was satisfied with for sunglasses though... I believe that bigger is always better for sunglasses and most frames that will take prescription lenses are not big enough for my taste (plus i have a wide face anyway so I need pretty wide glasses anyway). The ones I finally got are by Dolce + Gabbana and were pretty expensive but worth it in my book. They do have a big blingy logo on the side, which I'm not the biggest fan of, but I can live with it and my hair usually covers it up anyway.

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Belladogga

I got a pair of prescription sunglasses 2 years ago and love them and am really glad I have them. That said, I don't use them everyday - only on weekends when I'm at the beach or on a boat or when I'm on vacation. I'm happy with my regular glasses with transition lenses for everyday because changing them over can be annoying sometimes. I don't drive but I imagine if you do you might be more likely to use prescription sunglasses everyday.

Kim

Veteran

I wear my script sunglasses whenever I'm outside or driving in the car. I need them to see distance so it's clearer for driving. I also need to have bifocals to read but my sunglasses right now are only for distances. I have two pair right now, and am thinking about ordering bifocal sunglasses for running so I can see distance clearly but also read my running watch without having to look under the bottom of my glasses! LOL

I order mine online (Zenni Optical) and so far have been pretty happy with them. I have transition lenses in my regular glasses, (bought at the optometrist here a few years ago) but I only seem to use them when I watch TV at home (as I type this I am NOT wearing my glasses) and so I think I wasted a lot of money on them. As Shannon already said they don't change when in the car and I don't like that. I want my eyes protected.

If you wear glasses all the time the sunglasses might be a pain to get used to though.

catgirl

Veteran

Yes, I need mine for distance so for hiking, skiing, driving or anything involving sun, glare or distance they are a must. I have to get new ones because I lost mine at Disney last October. Actually THEY lost them and compensated me, but I have yet to replace them.

Mamapicklejuice

Veteran

I wear glasses all time and FINALLY splurged on a prescription pair of sunglasses. THEY ARE SOOOOO WORTH IT! First, they are NOT a pain to switch out...it's pretty much a no-brainer. Plus, while my sunglasses are dark, I have no problem wearing them indoors for brief periods of time (running errands, etc.) Second, it's easy to find an attractive pair - just check out your local optical shop! They have tons of trendy "oversized" specs. Give it a shot - you won't be sorry! I was happy I was finally protecting my eyes from the sun.

DonnaF

Veteran

I've needed glasses since fourth grade, and I've only had Rx sunglasses once. In the olden days, I had Photo Grays and Photo Suns, and now have transition lenses which are much, much better and I don't feel like I have any problems with them changing fast enough. I've had magnetic clip-ons a couple of times, and they got scratched almost immediately. Also, when I was wearing them outside, sun would filter down between the clip-on and my lens and cause awful glare, so they were only practical in the car. I think my windshield has some type of UV/anti-glare feature, anyway. My Rx is strong, I have astigmatism, and not much of a nose bridge, so large (sun)glasses won't work for me because they would be too heavy and slide down my nose.

FWIW, my eyes are almost as fussy as my feet. They have difficulty focusing together on things close. (When I look at something with one eye and then the other, it appears to jump at an angle.) This month, I invested in reading/computer glasses so that a greater prism could be incorporated so that my eyes would not have to work as hard. I can tell the difference almost immediately when I change into these glasses. Of course, it is hazardous if I try to walk or do anything else while wearing these things since they only work at a single distance.

eds

I have a pair that I paid a small fortune for and they are worth every penny. I keep them in my car in a hard case, and just switch as I get in to drive. I find most all of the occasions I need them involve being in the car and going somewhere, so that works well. I never set them down without putting them in the case and that has helped me to not set them down somewhere and forget them.

Sheila

Veteran

I can honestly say that my prescription sunglasses were one of the best investments I ever made. I have blue eyes and my eyes are very sensitive to the sun. So I get a lot of wear out of my sunglasses, as I put them on sometimes even in the rain or overcast sky when there is a little glare. They keep my eyes from hurting and causing wrinkles.

I must confess that I did not order new sunglasses when I changed out my regular glasses to a new prescription recently...the only change I needed was in my close vision and I thought I would try my sunglasses for a while, as I don't usually do any reading when I am wearing the sunglasses (I am walking, driving, etc outdoors). So far they are still working okay for those activities.

However, even though I am retired and on a fixed income, I will definitely pop for new sunglesses in the not-too-distant future, because they really make being in the sun a pleasant experience, when it was almost painful previously. I highly recommend them to everyone!

eds

Sheila, I don't keep my prescription in my sunglasses as up to date either. I find I can let the lower part of the bifocal go a bit longer as I don't do all that much reading in them. And I agree... I will pop for a new pair as I need them!

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I wear mine constantly- in the car (driving or riding), at the park, and walking around outside at Flea Markets, festivals, etc. It does get annoying if you are in a place where you are going into the light and then back out again, but look into Transactive lenses for that. They change like a Transition lense, but they get much darker, change faster and will also change in a car. My husband has those, and I think I may get those next time. The only down side is that they never get completely clear- they always have a slight tint to them.

Isabel

Veteran

I have had prescription sunglasses for 25 years. I cannot live without them. I don't mind taking them on and off as needed. The only downside is that you always have to have a case with you. I even got a pair last year with a non-prescription bi-focal ( the half moon is not rx, but the rest of the lens is ) so that I can read outside.

I agree that their are other options. The transition lenses and dark clip-ons for example. But I prefer the sunglasses.

Kristin L

Veteran

I have prescription sunglasses and get a lot of wear out of them. Changing glasses when going from inside to outside (and vice versa) hasn't been bothersome to me in the past. Like others have said, I haven't changed my sunglasses prescription to match my day-to-day glasses in about 8 years, but my eyesight has changed very little. I think I may finally break down and get a new pair this year, but that's because I've almost worn my other pair out.

lynn

Veteran

Oh my gosh! I love my prescription sunglasses! When I am running in and out of places in the summer, I will put them on a sports strap but usually just slip them into my purse. My sunnies are a little bigger than my regular glasses so it is a treat to wear them and view life in a bigger screen. Worth every penny!

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

I have a pair of Coach prescription sunglasses and use them whenever I'm driving or outside in the bright light. I mainly keep them in the car. Also they're especially handy on vacation. I have a strong prescription (-5.5) so I couldn't get super big frames because then the lenses would be too thick to fit in the frame (even with high density lenses). But I would definitely recommend getting a pair! I think it's important to protect your eyes from UV if you want to preserve your vision as you get older.

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velvetychocolate

Veteran

I don't have prescription sunglasses, as I mostly wear contacts, but I wanted to share that for years, my Mom just used regular prescription glasses (not the transition kind) and battled with clip ons and the like. She finally got some really nice prescription sunglasses and they have been very useful. Mostly for driving, especially in the morning when the sun's coming up at just the right angle to be in your eyes, and the same on the way home from work - sun's going down, and you're fussing with the visors in the car and yadda yadda yadda .

After years of messing around with clip ons and/or regular (non prescription) sunglasses she finally decided to spend the money on a really nice pair of proper prescription sunglasses. I don't know the specific style, but I do know that the frames were Prada and that they look really stylish on her. She keeps them in her car at home, and carries them in her purse when on vacation to sunny climes. Living in the Pacific Northwest, you wouldn't think you'd need sunglasses all that often, and you don't really - but still, it's not very nice to have your eyes watering when the sun's glaring at you on your morning commute, and it's wonderful to have the option to wear the prescription sunglasses when the skies are bright - for instance, if it's sunny, Mom will take the sunglasses with her out of the car, if she's going to be running errands and the like.

Given her experience, I would absolutely recommend getting prescription sunglasses. If my contacts start becoming a problem and I have to wear glasses more often, I will get both the regular specs *and* the prescription sunglasses.

I have glasses, but I mostly just wear them around the house when I've just woken up ...before showering and getting ready for the day. The rest of the time, I'm wearing contacts, plus non-prescription sunnies when needed.

MsMaven

Veteran

I am sensitive to light also. I've had prescription sunglasses since I was in my 20s--wear them nearly every day--well worth it.

I wear monovision contacts but find them difficult to use with computers. I also don't see quite as well with them, so if I'm driving a long way I prefer to just wear the sunglasses. I'm also a gardening nut and in summer keep them near the door so I will be prepared should I want to go outside and putter.

Sylvie

Veteran

YES, YES, YES. I got my first pair just last year and I have no idea how I lived without them. I wear glasses on a daily basis and it is absolutely worth it to be able to wear a pair of sunglasses. I get headaches with too much sun exposure and sunglasses help with that.

Scarlet

Veteran

Changing between them is a pain, but I really need mine for driving or being outside in bright sun. Otherwise my eyes hurt and I squint. If the sun didn't bother my eyes I wouldn't go to the trouble. Sometimes I also just wear non-prescription sunnies if it's not a safety issue to see well.

christieanne

Veteran

My DH just reminded me I really wanted them so I could read when outside in the summer w/o straining my eyes.

Echo

Veteran

DH just invested in a pair, despite the fact that he's worn glasses for many years. He now cannot believe he went so long witout them and finds them indispensable. He says they are well worth it. I have never needed glasses myself, though, so I can't speak from personal experience.

Mander

(website)

Veteran

Even in cloudy, drizzly England, I wear mine quite frequently and always carry a pair with me. I'm pretty sensitive to bright light so I tend to switch to sunglasses at the merest hint of sunshine. And I grew up in the Southwest so the sunglasses habit is deeply ingrained!

My prescription hasn't changed much so I have accumulated several pairs over the years, but my two favorites are a pair of Ray-Bans that are like mini wayfarers and an oversized pair I ordered from Zenni optical.

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