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Are prescription sunglasses worth the price?
It’s every glasses-wearer’s eternal struggle: How can you keep your eyes protected from the sun if you’re out and about while wearing your frames? It’s not as simple as just putting on shades when your regular glasses are in the way. Some solutions to this problem have been to wear contacts with regular sunglasses, or to invest in transition lens frames. But, for various reasons, those options may be unappealing to you. Instead, you may consider investing in a pair of prescription sunglasses. We’ll help you answer this question: are prescription sunglasses worth the price?
What are my needs?
While cost is an important consideration, it’s important to first think about your need for prescription sunglasses. But, do you really
need sunglasses? The short answer is yes!
Sunglasses protect our eyes from the sun by blocking ultraviolet (UV) rays, and we should wear sunglasses outside on a regular basis. If contacts or transition lenses are not an option for you, it’s likely that prescription sunglasses are worth the price.
What are the pros and cons of prescription sunglasses?
As with most things, there are pros and cons to wearing prescription sunglasses. Depending on your eye-related needs, you’ll have to weigh these advantages and disadvantages yourself. The good news is that by knowing your needs, as well as the pros and cons of prescription sunglasses, you can make the right decision for you.
Pro: Prescription sunglasses are more comfortable than contacts and make you less likely to get an eye infection.
Even those who wear contacts may prefer to have a prescription sunglasses option. If you are a regular contact-wearer, you know that your eyes can become irritated with your lenses in, particularly at the beach or over a long period of time (such as driving for a road trip). Also, wearing contacts in the water
is not a great idea, because this increases your risk of getting a bacterial infection. With prescription sunglasses, you don’t have to worry about having your contacts in on a sunny day; you can just switch out your frames. Prescriptions lenses give you a contact-free option that doesn’t make you sacrifice your sight or protection from the sun!
Pro: They give you more control than transition lenses do.
Transition lenses are a specific type of lens that you can buy with your regular eyeglasses. The lens reacts to UV light and will darken accordingly, like when you step outside on a sunny day. However, it’s typically an additional cost to add transition lenses to your frames, and you can’t control the tinting (how much the lenses darken). The transition can also be slow between outside and inside lighting, and the lenses don’t react to natural light, so they won’t darken in cars because of the special tinting in windshields. Prescription sunglasses, on the other hand, give you more control over when and where you want your shades to offer protection.
Con: You’ll have to switch between glasses.
A major disadvantage of prescription sunglasses is the hassle of remembering to keep them with you. To really benefit from the sunglasses, you’ll have to commit to using them by switching between two sets of glasses. This can be easy to forget at first if you’re used to wearing contacts with regular sunglasses, or regular glasses with transition lenses. However, after a while of bringing both pairs, you probably won’t think of this as a hassle because you’ve developed a (good) habit.
Con: Prescription sunglasses can be expensive.
We understand that you may still have the same question: “Are prescription sunglasses worth the price?” They can be expensive, but the good news is they may not be as much as you think. There are styles, frames, and brands out there for every budget! And, even if your dream shades are out of your price range, your insurance coverage may be able to help you out. (We’ll talk more about that later.)
What are my style options?
A common misconception about prescription sunglasses is that your frame options are limited. Sunglasses, even more than regular frames, stand as a style choice, and people are drawn to particular looks, frames, and lenses. But, don’t worry! Prescription sunglasses do not limit your style options, and you can find a wide variety of frames and lenses to choose from at your eye doctor’s office. When looking at styles, be sure to opt for 100% UV protection – but everything else (shape, size, frame color) is up to you!
So, are prescription sunglasses worth it?
Of course, there is an additional cost because you’re purchasing an extra set of frames, but it may not be as much as you think. Check your insurance coverage to see what allowances you have, as well as with the eye doctor
you’re purchasing from. It’s also important to remember that different frames and brands offer a wide price range for you to choose from. We promise there’s an option out there for everyone! If prescription sunglasses meet your need to keep your eyes healthy, and the “pros” outweigh the “cons,” then prescription sunglasses are worth the price. Your eyes will thank you!
Dr. Steven C. Mather 1401 Union Street Lafayette, Indiana 47904 765.742.1955 Dear Esteemed Patients, After 43 years of dedicated service, it is with mixed emotions that I announce my retirement from my medical practice as of March 9th. It has been an incredible journey, one that I have cherished every moment of, and I am looking forward to spending more time on my new title of Grandpa. Our practice has rich history that dates back to 1946 with Dr. Peterson and in 1959 my uncle, Dr. Robert Mather, succeeded him. I was overjoyed to continue his legacy when I took over the practice in 1989. Over the years, we have built strong relations with our patients, and for that, we are profoundly grateful. Your loyalty and trust have been the driving force behind our success, and we cannot thank you enough for allowing us to be part of your lives for the past 78 years. I am thrilled to inform you that I have chosen to entrust the future of our practice to our friends at Norman and Miller Eyecare. They bring with them a wealth of knowledge, skill, and compassion, ensuring that you will continue to receive the highest quality of care. As I embark on this new chapter of my life, I do so with deep sense of gratitude and appreciation for each and every one of you. While I will miss seeing your familiar faces in the office, I am confident that you will be in excellent hands with Norman and Miller Eyecare. Please join me in welcoming them to our practice and continuing to entrust them with your healthcare needs. They share our commitment to providing personalized, compassionate care, and I am confident that they will uphold the legacy that we have worked so hard to build. They will continue to serve you at our 1401 Union Street location, however, if there is a location more convenient to you, your records will be available at all Norman and Miller Eyecare locations. Thank you once again for your trust and support over the years. It has been an honor and privilege to serve you, and I look forward to watching our practice flourish under the new leadership. With Warm Regards,
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