Summer Eye Safety: A Guide to Buying Prescription Sunglasses

Enjoying summer can be hard when you’re wearing contact lenses. Wearing them on the beach is a bad idea since wind-blown sand and the scorching sun can irritate your eyes. You can’t swim while wearing them either; microorganisms in the water can cause serious eye infections.

To protect them from the sand and sunlight, some wear drugstore sunglasses over their contact lenses. However, such sunglasses don’t provide enough protection.

Prescription sunglasses would be a better alternative; you can enjoy all that summer has to offer without having to worry about your eyes. Eyes on Norbeck, a top optometrist in the state, shares some tips on buying prescription sunglasses below.

Frame Styles 

When choosing frame styles, most people only think about how good the glasses will look on them. Frame styles can also affect how well you can see, however. In particular, avoid prescription sunglasses with extreme curves, as they usually distort your vision.

Lenses

Listed below are some of your lens options and their corresponding drawbacks and advantages:

• Glass Lenses – If you want your vision to be as clear as possible, you might want to look into this option. These lenses have the best optical quality. You’d need to be extra careful with them, though. Glass lenses are heavier than other types of lenses and can shatter easily.

• Lenses with a Photochromic Tint – Prescription sunglasses can replace eyeglasses and contact lenses for activities at the beach or near the pool. But not everyone wants to be seen wearing them all the time. Lenses with a photochromic tint darken in sunlight and fade into a clearer state in the shade, making them a good choice for those who want prescription sunglasses that can be used outdoors and indoors.

UV and Glare Protection 

Contrary to popular belief, the color of your sunglasses’ tint has nothing to do with its ability to block UV rays. This means you can pick any shade or color you want, so long as your optometrist has verified that the lenses can block all of the sun’s UV rays. And if you want protection from sunlight reflecting off sand and concrete pavements, you can buy prescription polarized sunglasses.

Eyes on Norbeck’s optical shop offers sunglasses and specialty lenses. We also offer eye exam and eye care services. To set up an appointment, call (301) 241-0553 or fill out this form. We serve homeowners in Potomac, MD.