Prescription Sunglasses and UV Protection

Bright sunlight can be uncomfortable, but good sunglasses do more than reduce glare. They also help protect your eyes from ultraviolet light while allowing you to see clearly with your usual prescription.

Prescription sunglasses can be made for distance vision, reading, varifocal wear or more specialised visual needs. The right combination depends on when you will wear them, the strength of your prescription and the type of glare you want to reduce.

Why UV protection matters

UV light comes from the sun and reaches your eyes throughout the year, not only in summer or while abroad. Long-term exposure is linked with damage to the eyes and the delicate skin around them.

Dark lenses alone are not enough. A lens can look dark without providing proper UV protection, so it is important to choose sunglasses made to recognised standards.

Why choose prescription sunglasses?

If you normally wear glasses, prescription sunglasses combine clear vision with sun protection. They are especially useful for:

• driving
• holidays and sightseeing
• gardening and outdoor hobbies
• walking near water
• everyday use in bright conditions

Useful lens options

Prescription sunglasses can be made with single vision, bifocal or varifocal lenses, depending on your needs. They can also be tailored for particular activities, including driving, walking, sport or holidays.

Polarised lenses

Polarised lenses reduce reflected glare from roads, water and other shiny surfaces. They can make bright conditions feel more comfortable and are especially useful for driving and outdoor activities.

Graduated and solid tints

A solid tint gives a similar depth of colour across the whole lens. A graduated tint is darker at the top and lighter lower down, which some people prefer for driving or reading outdoors.

Photochromic lenses

Photochromic lenses darken in response to ultraviolet light. They can be convenient for everyday use, although they may not become as dark inside a car because the windscreen blocks much of the UV light that activates them.

No sunglass lens should be used when conditions are too dark, and very deep tints are not suitable for night driving.

Not just for summer

Low winter sun can be just as troublesome as summer glare, particularly when driving in the morning or late afternoon. Reflections from wet roads, water and pale surfaces can also be uncomfortable, so a well-made pair of prescription sunglasses can be useful all year round.

What should you consider when choosing prescription sunglasses?

• Your main activity: driving, walking, holidays, sport or general everyday wear.
• Your prescription: some prescriptions influence which frame shapes and lens types work best.
• Glare: polarised lenses may be helpful where reflected glare is the main problem.
• Near vision: varifocal or reading correction may be useful if you want to read outdoors.
• Fit and coverage: a comfortable frame that sits well can reduce light entering around the lenses.

An eye examination confirms that your prescription is current before new lenses are ordered. We can then explain the practical differences between the available tint, polarisation and lens options.

Styles at Actons

Our current prescription sunwear collections include Cocoa Mint, Aspinal, Ted Baker, Defender and Range Rover. We can help you choose a frame and lens combination that suits your prescription, lifestyle and preferred style.

Explore our Prescription Sunglasses page to see some of the ranges currently available.

This article provides general information. Individual advice depends on your prescription, visual needs and how you plan to use your sunglasses.