Can you get prescription lenses for sunglasses?

If you’ve found a pair of sunglasses that you love and you’re wondering if they can be fitted with prescription lenses, the answer is yes! As long as the shape of the lens doesn’t distort your vision and it has a sturdy frame, almost any pair of sunglasses can be equipped with prescription lenses. Below, I answer some of the most common questions about prescription sunglasses.

Prescription lenses by doctors for sunglasses
Prescription lenses by doctors for sunglasses

Are prescription sunglasses available for most vision corrections?

Whether your prescription eyeglasses are for farsightedness, nearsightedness, or astigmatism, there are prescription lenses for sunglasses available to address your needs. You also have the option of choosing between single vision, bifocal and progressive lenses for sunglasses.

Sunglasses can be made even for high prescriptions as long as the frame shape has less “wrap”. High amounts of “frame wrap” cause vision distortion in higher prescriptions and also makes the lenses thicker. Remember, the higher your prescription, the flatter you want your frames to be. Your eye doctor is an expert in lens optics. They can tell you which frames will work best with your prescription.

Ask your eye doctor about prescription eyeglasses with transition lenses that darken under sunlight and polarized sports sunglasses. Whatever your lifestyle, we can find a solution for you.

Can all sunglasses be fitted with prescription lenses?

The rule of thumb when fitting prescription lenses for sunglasses is that the quality of the frame plays a key role. For example, some plastic frames are likely to break as they age or they can’t be stretched to accommodate custom lenses. Additionally, some wireframes don’t have the necessary screws for custom lenses.

If you’re unsure, it’s best to bring the pair of sunglasses to your eye doctor who can determine whether they can be fitted for prescription lenses. Your eye doctor can tell you if the frame can support prescription lenses and either begin the process of turning your sunglasses into prescription eyewear or recommend a similar set that fits your style.

Speak to your eye doctor about prescription sunglasses

Keeping your eyes protected from harmful UV rays is part of good eye care. We want to make sure that your prescription sunglasses have the proper UV ray protection along with the right lenses to address your vision correction. When you’re in search of prescription sunglasses, be sure to make an appointment with your eye doctor. If you haven’t had an eye exam for some time, it’s important to book one to ensure that the prescription is correct. After all, the last thing you want to do is purchase a pair of sunglasses with the incorrect prescription.

Sunglasses protect your eyes from conditions that result from prolonged exposure to UV rays, including cataracts, macular degeneration, and pterygium. Our main goal is to keep your eyes healthy for as long as possible by preventing problems caused by exposure to excess UV light.

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