Prescription sunglasses - do I need them or not?
For clear prescription glasses wearers, the addition of prescription sunglasses, especially polarized, provides extra visual comfort and enhances driver safety.
Are prescription sunglasses more comfortable?
Those who rely on clear prescription glasses everyday know that the brightness of the summer months can be tough without sunglasses. Squinting in the bright sun is not only uncomfortable, for many it can be enough to cause headaches and eye strain. As with anything else, the decision to wear prescription sunglasses depends on your needs and your lifestyle.
Prescription glasses are like shoes
Take shoes as an example. If you live in the big city and only hike once a year, you may never purchase premium hiking boots. On the other hand, a hiking enthusiast who owns a pair of premium hiking boots likely owns a quality pair of sneakers as well. If high heels have taught us anything, it’s that no footwear is suitable in every situation. It is rare to find someone skiing in high heels.
Prescription eyeglasses are similar. Outdoor activities, driving, regular computer use, even pickleball - each activity occurs at a different distance, with varying conditions. Depending upon the type and level of your activity, prescription sunglasses may be just what you need. There is even a special prescription lens designed for pilots that offers a clear view of the cockpit from top to bottom.
Consider this when thinking about prescription sunglasses:
- Do you spend a lot of time outdoors?
- Do you drive regularly?
- Are your eyes rather sensitive to light?
- Do you want to shield your eyes from UV rays?
- Could you benefit from more clear, crisp vision in bright sunlight?
- Do you ever worry about blurry or distorted vision in the sun or while driving?
There is certainly more to the prescription sunglass conversation than lifestyle and comfort.
There is also the question of safety with prescription sunglasses
Picture the bright sun reflecting off snow, or bouncing off a wet road. The glare of your dashboard reflecting on the inside of your windshield. These are risky lighting situations, ranging from simply distracting to temporarily blinding. According to Dr. Donald A. Redelmeier in a 2017 publication entitled “Life-threatening motor vehicle crashes in bright sunlight”, “The risk of a life-threatening crash was 16% higher during bright sunlight than normal weather”.
UK-based optician Simon Jones writes that the “latest figures for 2021 showed that, of the 2,369 casualties caused by glare, 558 resulted in serious injury, with 19 deaths.”
The safety of always seeing clearly through prescription glasses; of polarized lenses cutting down on road glare while driving; of participating in your favorite outdoor activities with clear, crisp vision: for these reasons, prescription sunglasses are essential for optimal vision and safety.
Today you can find the right prescription sunglasses online easier than ever. The wide range of styles, tint colors, polarized and lens options available means you can find premium sunglasses that suit your personal style and needs. Once you go with prescription sunglasses, it’s rare to go back. Try some on now with the virtual eyeglass try on.
