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Prescription Sunglasses vs. Regular Sunglasses: What’s the Difference?

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A person trying on prescription sunglasses at their optometrist's office.

Maybe you’ve heard about prescription sunglasses from a friend or family member and wondered if they would be a good fit for you, or maybe you’ve wondered if there was a way to protect your eyes from harsh UV rays without sacrificing clear vision. 

Prescription sunglasses combine vision correction with UV protection in a single pair, while regular sunglasses provide UV protection and glare reduction but no vision correction. Total Vision Huntington Beach has a wide variety of frame and lens options, so you don’t have to choose between seeing clearly and protecting your eyes.

What Are Prescription Sunglasses?

Vision Correction Built Right In

Prescription sunglasses are sunglasses that contain your exact vision correction prescription in the tinted lenses. The eye doctor takes your current prescription, whether for nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism, and creates dark lenses with those same corrective powers built in.

This means that you don’t need to wear contact lenses underneath regular sunglasses or struggle with clip-on attachments. The tinted lens material filters harmful UV rays while the prescription helps light focus properly on the back of your eye.

Regular Sunglasses Function

Quality regular sunglasses block UV rays and reduce glare from surfaces like water, snow, or pavement. Dark lenses make bright environments more comfortable by reducing the amount of light that reaches your eyes.

However, these lenses don’t offer vision correction. For this reason, they work great for people who don’t need glasses or contacts to see clearly.

Key Differences That Matter to Your Family

Vision Clarity

Your prescription sunglasses can function just like your regular glasses, because they have the same prescription. Road signs stay crisp when you’re driving, and you can easily spot your kids at the beach or pool. Regular sunglasses leave you with the same blurry vision you’d have without any corrective lenses.

Convenience Factor

With prescription sunglasses, the shuffle between regular glasses and sunglasses when stepping outdoors is taken away. You can also skip the hassle that can come with wearing contact lenses in windy, dusty, or dry outdoor conditions.

UV Protection

With prescription sunglasses, your eyes are protected from the harsh UV rays. This helps reduce the visual discomfort that can come with long periods outside, because your eyes won’t need to work as hard when they have both proper correction and protection from bright light.

A hand holding up a pair of sunglasses to the sky.

Which Option Works for Your Lifestyle

Are Prescription Sunglasses Right for Me?

Prescription sunglasses might be a good fit for you if you wear glasses or contacts and spend time outdoors or driving. These lenses are helpful for anyone who wants to wear sunglasses that help them see clearly without having to think about adding contacts or clip-ons.

Many people find contacts dry out quickly outdoors or collect dust and debris, which can make them uncomfortable to wear for extended outdoor time. This is another reason why some people choose prescription sunglasses.

Do I Need Regular Sunglasses?

If your natural vision is sharp enough for daily activities without correction, you might not need prescription sunglasses. People with naturally good eyesight can enjoy the wide variety of regular sunglasses available. You might also prefer regular sunglasses if you’re comfortable wearing contact lenses outdoors for long periods of time. 

Find Your Next Pair of Sunglasses

Total Vision Huntington Beach can help you determine which option fits your vision needs and lifestyle preferences. If you’re looking to discuss prescription sunglasses, schedule an eye exam. Our team can help you decide if they’re the right fit for you.

Written by Total Vision

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