Things To Do Before Buying Your Prescription Sunglasses

Things To Consider Before Buying Your Prescription Sunglasses 

Choosing a pair of prescription sunglasses uniquely tailored to your needs and tastes is a lot like choosing standard prescription glasses. Many of the considerations are similar. These include:

• Get an updated eye examination: Just like buying your first prescription glasses, you should also get an eye examination for your first prescription sunglasses. This is especially true if your last eye examination was more than 2 years ago, which makes it invalid to optometrists. The eye examination also allows your optometrist to measure your pupillary distance. This is important information for getting the correct positioning of the lenses of your prescription sunglasses. 
• Think about frames: You will probably not wear your prescription sunglasses if they do not look good on you. Use your appointment to try on several different shapes, sizes, and styles to find the perfect frames for you. 

Onto the specifics of buying prescription sunglasses:

• Choose the right lens material: The lenses of prescription sunglasses come in 3 types, each with its own advantages:
  • High-index: This ultra-light material is perfect for individuals prioritizing comfort and fashion. It is also a suitable material for crafting high prescription lenses. 
  • Polycarbonate: These durable lenses are excellent for people wanting to get active with their prescription sunglasses. 
  • Plastic: Plastic lenses are the best choice for casual wearing and low-prescription sunglasses. 
• Choose the right lens type: Not to be confused with the lens material, lens type directly affects how you see things: 
  • Polarized lenses: These reduce the glare from surfaces such as water and a car’s windshield. They are useful for helping you see more clearly when doing water sports or driving. 
  • Photochromic lenses: Your lenses adjust their colour automatically depending on the light they detect. When you are out in the sun, they darken; when you are in the shade, they become clearer—like standard prescription glasses. These lenses excel when you are in areas where light conditions can suddenly change, such as in the mountains. 
• Choose the right lens colour: More than a fashion statement, the colour of your prescription sunglasses’ lenses can have a small effect on your vision:
  • Gray, brown, and green lenses: These standard lens colours reduce your eyestrain in the sun and do not distort colours. 
  • Yellow, amber, and orange lenses: These increase contrast but may distort colours. 
  • Red or rose-tinted lenses: These also increase contrast, but distort colours even more than other lenses. 

Thinking About Buying Your Prescription Sunglasses Should Be Fun 

The process of buying your prescription sunglasses is a bit more complex than simply ordering a pair that fits your eye prescription on Amazon. You will most likely need to get an updated eye exam and think carefully about which lens best suits your lifestyle. 

Once you have an idea of the kind of prescription sunglasses you want to get, the rest of the process can be surprisingly enjoyable. After all, sunglasses are popular fashion statements, so take this opportunity to shop around and get a pair that reflects your personality. 

Our optometrists at Blink Eyewear can assist you with your purchase from your eye exam to the frame selection. Call 403-516-2292 or fill out the online contact form to book an appointment with us. 

FAQs

Q: What is pupillary distance?
A: It is the distance between your eyes’ two pupils. The average pupillary distance for the adult woman is between 58 to 63 millimetres. Your optometrist needs this measurement to correctly center your prescription lenses into the frame. 

Q: What kinds of sunglasses are offered at Blink Eyewear? 
A: We offer prescription sunglasses, non-prescription sunglasses, sunglasses for kids, and performance sunglasses. 

Q: Do darker lenses offer superior UV protection?
A: No. The colour of the lenses is not associated with UV protection.