Sunglasses over the top of transitions?
December 7, 2024 2:34 AM Subscribe
Tinted windows interfere with my transition glasses. What are my options?
I decided to go with transition glasses (that is, auto-darkening lenses) this time around, after seeing the improvement in the technology with my daughter's glasses. It was nice not to pay for perscription sunglasses.
However, driving is a problem, as the tinted windscreen interferes with the glasses. What are my options here? I'm looking for budget friendly answers- I don't want to get a pair of perscription sunglasses if I don't have to.
I decided to go with transition glasses (that is, auto-darkening lenses) this time around, after seeing the improvement in the technology with my daughter's glasses. It was nice not to pay for perscription sunglasses.
However, driving is a problem, as the tinted windscreen interferes with the glasses. What are my options here? I'm looking for budget friendly answers- I don't want to get a pair of perscription sunglasses if I don't have to.
I have multiple pairs of these cheap clip-on sunglasses that I’m very happy with.
posted by jason and the garlic knots at 4:36 AM on December 7
posted by jason and the garlic knots at 4:36 AM on December 7
For future reference on your next pair of glasses, you can get transitions that trigger from other wavelengths, which are not blocked by automobile glass. Here is a comparison of options.
posted by chiefthe at 4:58 AM on December 7 [2 favorites]
posted by chiefthe at 4:58 AM on December 7 [2 favorites]
I have a pair of those enormous cheap plastic things that go on over your glasses after the optometrist dilates your eyes? I keep them in the car all the time because on super bright sunny days it is so nice to just block glare all around even if they make me look about 200 years old. 😊
But chiefthe it is great to know about the different types of translations lenses. My next eye appointment is in January and I’m going to ask about those.
posted by hilaryjade at 5:55 AM on December 7 [3 favorites]
But chiefthe it is great to know about the different types of translations lenses. My next eye appointment is in January and I’m going to ask about those.
posted by hilaryjade at 5:55 AM on December 7 [3 favorites]
Search for “over glasses sunglasses” on Amazon and there are many choices.
posted by elphaba at 6:07 AM on December 7
posted by elphaba at 6:07 AM on December 7
I use “fitover” sunglasses in the car. They’re getting to be more stylish than they used to be, but still the height of fashion.
posted by jimfl at 7:49 AM on December 7 [1 favorite]
posted by jimfl at 7:49 AM on December 7 [1 favorite]
Unless I am mistaken, you are saying that your current prescription transition eyeglasses (permanent; must-wear) do not interface well with your (permanently?) tinted windscreen. I'm hoping someone else has a technological solution here, but I cannot personally readily conceive of an answer that doesn't involve changing your glasses or changing your windscreen. It sounds to me like your best bet is a pair of non-transition glasses + clip-ons or wear-overs. (I am not an optician, optometrist, or ophthalmologist.)
posted by cupcakeninja at 7:53 AM on December 7
posted by cupcakeninja at 7:53 AM on December 7
Not all frames have this, but if your frames have built-in magnetic attachment points for the matching click-on sunglasses, I found those to be a lot easier to deal with than the more universal clip-ons.
And, while not directly addressing your existing transitions glasses, but still hopefully budget-friendly, is something like Zenni Optical an option where you are? (They currently have a Cyber Monday sale going thru Dec 8). My prescription bifocal sunglasses were $45 earlier this year, and they've been great.
posted by xedrik at 9:27 AM on December 7 [4 favorites]
And, while not directly addressing your existing transitions glasses, but still hopefully budget-friendly, is something like Zenni Optical an option where you are? (They currently have a Cyber Monday sale going thru Dec 8). My prescription bifocal sunglasses were $45 earlier this year, and they've been great.
posted by xedrik at 9:27 AM on December 7 [4 favorites]
Many good ideas here. I would just caution against using larger regular sunglasses over prescription ones. I did that and it rubbed off the anti-reflective coating on my regular glasses.
posted by pangolin party at 9:48 AM on December 7
posted by pangolin party at 9:48 AM on December 7
Super cheap clip-ons can work, although they are a bit janky. I keep one of those in my glovebox in case of emergency.
Otherwse what xedrik said. They're kinda pricey for what they are, but work great. Only problem is that you typically have to send in the glasses to get them custom fit for the magnet clip. I don't get why, if they had your glasses frame make, model, and lens prescription, they couldn't do it without requiring the frames themselves? Maybe a quality control thing for fit. Also, if you lose the magnetic clip, you'd have to send your frames in again. At least that is what I have been told.
Meanwhile, I purchased the supposedly most-novel, advanced Transitions formula that the company claims work even though car window glass - but - I have found that to be bunk.
posted by bitterkitten at 11:58 AM on December 7 [2 favorites]
Otherwse what xedrik said. They're kinda pricey for what they are, but work great. Only problem is that you typically have to send in the glasses to get them custom fit for the magnet clip. I don't get why, if they had your glasses frame make, model, and lens prescription, they couldn't do it without requiring the frames themselves? Maybe a quality control thing for fit. Also, if you lose the magnetic clip, you'd have to send your frames in again. At least that is what I have been told.
Meanwhile, I purchased the supposedly most-novel, advanced Transitions formula that the company claims work even though car window glass - but - I have found that to be bunk.
posted by bitterkitten at 11:58 AM on December 7 [2 favorites]
When I wore transistions I'd open a window and hold my glasses out at red lights to get them to darken properly.
Was this ridiculous absolutely. I did it anyway.
posted by AlexiaSky at 7:55 PM on December 8
Was this ridiculous absolutely. I did it anyway.
posted by AlexiaSky at 7:55 PM on December 8
« Older Need to have the exact same experiences as someone... | Radical approaches to employers supporting... Newer »
You are not logged in, either login or create an account to post comments
I generally solve this issue with large plastic nonprescription sunglasses worn over my prescription glasses, because I have a small/face frames and it works in a pinch. But I don't drive often, so clip on is probably a better solution if you do.
posted by the primroses were over at 4:33 AM on December 7 [1 favorite]