For the first time in my life I need sunglasses!

March 18, 2019 8:08 PM

I've been bespectacled person since elementary school and sunglasses have always seemed unnecessary/out of reach. I've been driving for almost 3 years now and I am finally at a point where I admit that I need sunglasses. I made the mistake of driving west during sunset today and I regretted it because I had no sunglasses. How do people with prescription glasses make sunglasses work? What are my options?

I need to get new glasses soon anyway, so I am thinking about what options exist for me. I have astigmatism and my eyes are about an -8-ish. So, I've always thought (for whatever reason) that sunglasses were something that I couldn't have? They'd be ridiculously expensive, or I'd have to buy a style I would be unhappy with because of the types of lenses I need, etc.

I know there are transition lenses, but to be honest I don't like the look of them. I know there are clip on options, I've also seen some people with neat magnetic lenses they can attach to their frames.

The idea of prescription sunglasses sounds kind of nice, but is it worth the extra cost? Is it better to get clip on/magnetic? How do those of you with prescription glasses and sunglasses (of some type) make it work?

posted by VirginiaPlain to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (39 answers total)

My husband swears by a pair he bought at Wal-Mart that fit over his regular glasses. Polarized is key. They may not be super pretty but very functional.
posted by Tandem Affinity at 8:10 PM on March 18, 2019

The options that you name are pretty much all there. I have transitions; the modern lenses darken quickly and clear fairly quickly, and they work even inside the car. Much better than they were even a few years ago. I have two pairs of prescription sunglasses: one I got during a year that my insurance would pay for glasses but I didn't really need regular ones, and the other pair I ordered via Zenni. You can get a sunglasses lens put in any frame that your regular lenses would fit in. The pairs I have both fine, but I have trouble carrying around and keeping track of two sets of glasses at once, so I usually wind up with the transitions instead. (Part of the problem is that you're really not supposed to leave nice lenses with coatings and all in a hot car, and if you can't leave your sunglasses in the car in the summer, what is even the point.)
posted by wintersweet at 8:12 PM on March 18, 2019

SO WORTH IT. I just bit the bullet and got prescription lenses last fall, and I am kicking myself for not doing it sooner. I don’t have to drive one-handed while I block the sun with my other hand anymore!

You may be able to get a deal on the frames or lenses (or both) if you are also updating your regular glasses.
posted by timestep at 8:14 PM on March 18, 2019

So my prescription is much weaker than yours, but I swear by Zenni Optical for my prescription sunglasses. I go through sunglasses like crazy (losing them, sitting on them, whatever) so I just get cheap glasses at Zenni, add the tint and buy multiples. If they can support your prescription, I'd recommend giving them a try - just find a cheap frame you dont hate and see if they will work for you. You will need to know your PD however, which can sometimes be a pain to try and track down.
posted by cgg at 8:15 PM on March 18, 2019

My insurance allows for new lenses every year. My prescription hasn’t changed in years and I haven’t needed new glasses, so I just took my Ray-Ban sunglasses in one year and asked for my annual “new lenses” to be put in there (but tinted, obviously). Best decision ever, and on preview, definitely worth it—if I had to pay for it now I would in a heartbeat.
posted by lovableiago at 8:16 PM on March 18, 2019

I have an astigmatism and wear progressives most of the time. I get single-vision (distance only) sunglasses and buy them from the discount sites like Zenni, Goggles4u, etc. I just keep them in the car and switch when needed. There are always coupons--my sunglasses cost more than the drugstore ones but way less than regular glasses, and I can often get them on BOGO so I have a few to rotate.

I take cheap sunglasses to places like the beach since I don't need to see that well while just hanging out in the water and don't want to lose my good sunnies.
posted by assenav at 8:17 PM on March 18, 2019

Yet another vote for “prescription sunglasses are totally worth it” and “Zenni sunglasses are a great value.”
posted by samthemander at 8:17 PM on March 18, 2019

You can get sunglasses that fit over your eyeglasses at most drugstores. They come in various sizes to fit over various frames. Try them on to make sure they fit over your frames. I need to get a new pair — my previous pair fit over my old frames but not my new frames.

Prescription sunglasses would be nice, but I don’t trust myself not to lose them.
posted by snowmentality at 8:21 PM on March 18, 2019

If you have a Costco membership, they tend to have a good ratio between cheap and quality. I buy my main sunglasses there for the most part but also get cheap ones from Zenni that I leave in travel bags and the car, as I'm likely to forget to carry them otherwise.

I personally like transitional lenses. While you seem to have ruled them out, if you do reconsider, not all of them will darken in the car so make sure that what you get will work for your purposes.
posted by Candleman at 8:21 PM on March 18, 2019

"How do people with prescription glasses make sunglasses work? "

Prescription sunglasses. They cost basically the same as regular glasses. I keep mine in the sunglass compartment in my car and use them as needed.
posted by jonathanhughes at 8:26 PM on March 18, 2019

Aside from all the information on affording sunglasses, keep in mind that they are an investment in the health of your eyes. Regular use of good sunglasses, like regular use of skin sunscreen, can help prevent sun damage. People who avoid sunglasses are more likely to develop cataracts at a younger age than those who protect their eyes.
posted by citygirl at 8:26 PM on March 18, 2019

I just take my glasses prescription and buy some prescription sunglasses over at some online shop (I think I’ve used glasses USA a couple of times before). They’re not a terrible price (maybe $100?). Yeah, it can be a pain to carry around two pairs but it’s so worth it
posted by raccoon409 at 8:29 PM on March 18, 2019

Zenni also do glasses with appropriate clip ons, which I bought and stuck in the car. The whole thing is far cheaper than I've ever achieved in a shop and payable via your HSA if you have one. I can remove the clip on while driving, which was my logic for doing it that way.

Since they're occasional wear it isn't the end of the world if they turn out to be not quite your preferred style or slightly off in fit (the car pair fit fine, but I've have another pair of reading glasses which, while perfectly usable, are a spot loose, so it's a little variable).
posted by How much is that froggie in the window at 8:33 PM on March 18, 2019

While I'd like prescription sunglasses, I've never been able to afford them, and my insurance wouldn't even cover part of them. However, an eye doctor at one point suggested a 10% tint, which also would help with my headaches, because indoor lighting often gives me trouble. And that's been, while not perfect, at least helpful over the years.
posted by stormyteal at 8:41 PM on March 18, 2019

What I call the 'Grandpa Over-Glasses' are both 1. cheapest and 2. most eye-protecting. I buy them at the weird discount retailer for $5-8, so I can have a car pair and a knapsack pair and, like, three others.

I sat on my very first pair of prescription sunglasses when I was a late teen and almost gave up on the entire concept. I did get an old pair tinted once, which sort-of worked. I've had some Goggles4U and Zenni pairs, which are fine. I also gave in and got contacts for sport last year, so now I get to have cheap fun ones if I feel like putting the lenses in. But I still use my Grandpa glasses the most.
posted by cobaltnine at 8:47 PM on March 18, 2019

Zenni. Zenni Zenni Zenni. I love my sunglasses and like you, they were the first prescription sunglasses in my life.
posted by vrakatar at 8:57 PM on March 18, 2019

I have magnetic sunglasses that stick onto the front of my regular glasses. This is awesome because I can snap them on one-handed while I'm driving if I change direction and find myself suddenly headed into glare. This is after several years of having a pair of regular glasses and a pair of prescription sunglasses. I think the magnetic ones are much more convenient.
posted by potrzebie at 9:35 PM on March 18, 2019

I just got prescription sunglasses this January, when (like some others here) my prescription hadn't changed very much but my insurance would cover new glasses, and the optometrist straight up said "this is a chance to change your frame style or get sunglasses".

So I got sunglasses, by happenstance it was a clear sunny day with fresh snow everywhere and driving home was 100% obvious how great they were!

One caveat that applies to me, I regularly go deep into backwoods Montana areas for skiing, mountain biking, climbing, things like that. I'd be super nervous about clip-ons or magnet-ons not being stable enough, or not providing enough coverage around the sides. That might not be a concern for you.
posted by traveler_ at 10:00 PM on March 18, 2019

I’ve had Zenni clip-ons, and after I broke those replaced them with the magnetic kind through my eye doctor.

They’re great, but have two problems.
1) my prescription is too strong to get wrapped lenses, so the sunglasses still let in light from the sides. For days when I will be in the sun a lot, I wear contacts and regular wrapped lens sunglasses.
2) the magnetic clip on is so tiny (yay) but women’s clothes don’t have enough pockets so I am forever trying to find a place to put it when I go inside briefly. The old style flip-ups would look sillier but at least I’d have a place to store the sunglasses part!
posted by nat at 10:02 PM on March 18, 2019

I used to use $15 mechanical flip up polarized clip ons from the drug store.

But now I have prescription inserts for my Genesys safety glasses which have replaceable outer lenses. Several of the options are sunglasses such as 90% grey tint and, my personal favourite, gold tint (which is really more a gold-blue tint) which is touted as an anti glare.

Being safety glasses they are incredibly durable. And the outer lenses are cheap so even if damaged you aren't out much. So one doesn't have to be all that careful with them. I have two pairs with one set using clear outers. When I'm at work I keep the pair I'm not using on the dash of the truck.

They aren't exactly stylish but the the sun glasses part does wrap around.
posted by Mitheral at 11:16 PM on March 18, 2019

I've had prescription w/ polarised lenses for 20 odd years. I tried the transition lenses, but I just don't like them. The polarisation is expensive, but worth it. I have high cheeks, so I generally end up with standard frames which I put tinted polarised lenses in.

As a handbag carrying person, I keep them in my handbag full time, and only take them out to put them on. I do still lose them every few years, because I am a scatterbrain with stuff.
posted by kjs4 at 11:41 PM on March 18, 2019

As far as driving into the sun goes, I keep a baseball type cap in the car and stick it on my head when the sun gets in my eyes. Works like a charm, way better than sunglasses or the cheap sun shades our cars come with. Took me till last year to figure It out though.
posted by BoscosMom at 11:52 PM on March 18, 2019

Agree with everyone above on getting some cheap prescription sunglasses online. I've done this with a high prescription (-8.5 and -9) and they are fine for hiking, going to the beach etc. They may not be absolutely perfectly fitted to my eyes/face, but fine for reading on the beach or by the pool. I did buy a very cheap pair of glasses with the magnetised clip ons but the prescription wasn't quite right. What I have done in the past to make prescription sunglasses cheaper was to not shell out for the thinnest lenses. The only problem I've had is that it's hard to find 'sport style' sunglasses that block out all light (like for water sports) which will take high prescription lenses. And, if you are somewhere bright where you are going inside and outside a lot, it's annoying as you have to keep changing your glasses. Maybe a better pair of magnetised sunglasses would help with that.

However, for driving, I prefer clip-ons or flip ups. With a high prescription like mine (and yours), I want to be able to very quickly remove the darkening effect, for example, I enter a tunnel while driving, without having to scrabble around for another pair of glasses. I'm not sure people with lower prescriptions appreciate that without glasses I cannot even see the dashboard, never mind the road! You can get good polarised flip-ups and, as a bonus, they will make your partner or friends laugh at how cool you look :) I bring a baseball cap too as above.

P.S. if you swim or snorkel, get a cheap pair of prescription goggles/mask online. One of the best things I've ever bought - it's so amazing to be able to SEE at the pool/beach! Again, doesn't need to be absolutely perfect (i.e. I think my snorkel mask only goes up to -8) but you're not using for very long periods of time.
posted by sedimentary_deer at 11:55 PM on March 18, 2019

Just confirming that you don't want transitions, especially if you don't like them. I got transitions and sunglasses this last time I got glasses, and I LOVE my sunglasses. They are plenty dark, they are the right size to block the sun, they are great. My transitions are fine, but a transitioned lens isn't as good as the one specifically meant for sunglasses.

Two pair swapping- I have a glasses case that has one or the other pair in them (unless it's at night when I take off my 'inside' glasses.) yeah it's annoying but my sun glasses rock for driving, and just general outside wear.

The other option I looked at is slide over sunnies- good if you just want them for driving, then they live in the car.
posted by freethefeet at 1:46 AM on March 19, 2019

The hideous over-the-glasses kind are fab because they block light from above and from the sides. I have like four or five pairs so that I'm never without them. They're stupidly expensive for how ugly they are, but they're certainly cheap compared to prescription, which for me would be an insufferable pain in the ass because of having to switch them and more to the point forgetting to switch them; I can see parking a mile from work and walking all the way there and then discovering I've left the glasses in the car again and then weathering idiotic jokes all day about huhhuhhuh are you just moonlighting here is your real job being a superspy at MI5 huhhuh.
posted by Don Pepino at 4:34 AM on March 19, 2019

You can get your regular glasses and a pair of prescription sunglasses at your next appointment. It will of course be more expensive.
posted by bunderful at 4:40 AM on March 19, 2019

I have transition lenses. They don't have any specific look... I was prompted to choose grey, brown or green. I like them just fine, except that they don't work in the car. I keep a pair of clip-ons in the car.
Problem solved, at least for me.

For my mom, who likes the wrap-around fit-overs, I've found very cheap options on AliExpress.
posted by Too-Ticky at 4:42 AM on March 19, 2019

What Don Pepino said. The glare reduction from the over the glasses kind compared to clip-ons is pretty significant. Also, how ugly they are depends a lot on the size of your regular glasses- if you have smaller glasses, you can get somethat looks pretty much like regular sunglasses. If you glasses are larger, yes, they can look a little goofy. But for me, the convenience of not having to take my regular glasses on and off, and not having light come in the top is definitely worth it.
posted by Dorothea Ladislaw at 4:50 AM on March 19, 2019

I wear this over-the-glasses modern model and while they're not high fashion or whatever, I don't feel like they're that horribly hideous. And anyway they're an essential supplement to my medical devices, especially since my prescription has moved beyond transitions being an option. I actually did like those, because of their sheer convenience and partial shading in moderate light, instead of being all-or-nothing, but the ones I have now are wonderfully dark in a way transitions never achieved. And they help with the winter fogging-upon-building-entry issue a lot.
posted by teremala at 5:25 AM on March 19, 2019

I have prescription sunglasses - am very astigmatic and have progressive lenses so have never tried mail order options. Love my sunglasses - makes all the difference for driving. I carry them in a case in my purse and swap as needed. Mine are also polarized - only downside is that some phones are harder to view because of the polarization.

One thing people haven't mentioned is that besides cataracts, sun damage can lead to macular degeneration - strong argument to wear sunglasses.
posted by leslies at 5:28 AM on March 19, 2019

I'm also on the Team Zenni and I have a similar prescription, -8/-9 with a goofy astigmatism. They have been great. With sunglasses, I try to buy big honking frames to get the most coverage.
posted by advicepig at 6:19 AM on March 19, 2019

I also had the zenni clip-on sunglasses to put over my regular prescription glasses. Side note: my high school debaters thought they were the coolest thing ever.

I've since had lasik and wear regular sunglasses.
posted by Ms Vegetable at 6:38 AM on March 19, 2019

I love my Cocoons. They sell a similar thing in drugstores but I was advised those are not as good.
posted by BibiRose at 6:49 AM on March 19, 2019

I love my goofy drugstore over-glasses covers. I don't even think they look that bad. But I like big sunglasses. If they don't block glare from sides top and bottom then what are we even doing here?
posted by fingersandtoes at 8:28 AM on March 19, 2019

As a note as protection from UV has come up a couple times, regular prescription glasses have UV filtering and protect from damage. Dedicated sunglasses may be better as they tend to be larger, but the dark aspect of them is not what's providing the key protection.
posted by Candleman at 8:48 AM on March 19, 2019

Fit-overs were much easier for me. You just leave your regular glasses on, so you don’t have to take the sunglasses off, look for your regular glasses, then put them on, etc. It saves a step. You just put them on one off like someone who does not need prescription glasses. It was less of a hassle for me, as I never need to do the switch thing.
posted by MountainDaisy at 9:33 AM on March 19, 2019

I have about the same prescription as you and I got my first pair of prescription sunglasses last year from Zenni. Never going back. Honestly the only problem is, as sedimentary_deer said, tunnels. They are a pain when you're driving in and out of tunnels. Otherwise, I adore them. Before I took this step -and yeah, it's expensive, I don't think people who don't have high prescriptions realize that even Zenni is going to come in at $130 or so just because of the strength - I used to buy huge sunglasses from the dollar store and just wear them over my regular glasses. Honestly this worked fine for me and if I hadn't been planning to drive cross country I would just have kept on doing that. It mortified my children, so, bonus.
posted by mygothlaundry at 1:14 PM on March 19, 2019

get prescription sunglasses, transitions don't work in a car due to the UV blocking in modern windshields & they do not get as dark as real sunglasses. you'll be glad you got them.
posted by patnok at 1:16 PM on March 19, 2019

Love all these answers, chiming in to say that I have them all. My regular glasses that I wear all the time, a drugstore over-glasses set (that lives in the car, and is great when it's genuinely awful glare, they're high-quality polarized and cover the peripehral vision too), a pair of tinted lenses from Zenni that I wear when I want to look cool (the over-glasses version does not do that for me!) and a second pair I bought from Zenni later that's an untinted lens with a magnetic snap-on sunglasses front (I use these when I'm around town on a sunny day and don't want to deal with swapping pars of glasses and putting things in cases, as the snap-on piece is thin and flat and slides easily into my back pocket).
What I will say about Zenni: I've got significant astigmatism but only about a -4, and the 3 pairs of Zennis I've bought are all acceptable; two are good/fine (my only complaint beaing the cheapness of hte plastic frames is bendier than I'm used to), and the third (the one with the clip-on sunglasses) is a bit wonky, I can tell that my vision isn't quite as good. If it were from a real shop I'd take them back and get the shop to help troubleshoot and replace, but that seems to complicated for an online business, so I haven't tried. I can wear them all day, I can read and drive and not get headaches, but I have the persistent sense that these aren't my "real glasses". I've rolled the dice with Zenni 3 times and even the most questionable pair is adequate as sunglasses, though I'll be shelling out at the optician for my next daily wear set, I don't trust Zenni that much.

I suspect (unproven) that if you have a stronger prescription, you'll be rolling dice against worse odds. I'd read up on Zenni's return and satisfaction policies before I went all-out, or I'd get a basic pair (tint but not all the options) for $40ish and just see how it goes.
posted by aimedwander at 2:27 PM on March 19, 2019