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Are prescription sunglasses worth it? Here’s what you need to know

June 14, 2020

If you wear prescription lenses, sunny weather can put you in an awkward position. Do you wear your glasses and risk damaging your eyesight, or wear sunglasses and sacrifice your vision?

Here’s the kicker: No matter which one you choose, you still sacrifice part of your vision when it’s bright out.

Luckily, prescription sunglasses ensure you don’t have to choose between seeing clearly and protecting your eyes from the sun. However, it can feel like you have to buy a totally new pair of glasses — one that you can only wear in certain circumstances.

Although transitional sunglasses are an option, some people don’t like how they automatically react to UV light. They won’t transition in your car because the window glass blocks UV radiation, but they’ll darken indoors if you stand next to a window. For all their benefits, transition lenses can be rather impractical.

But where transitional glasses fall short, prescription sunglasses truly shine.

The benefits of wearing prescription sunglasses

Prescription sunglasses give you the control that transitional glasses lack. They offer a host of additional benefits, too.

In addition to seeing clearly, prescription lenses protect you from the sun’s glare and from the effects of UV radiation. Over time, UV light can wreak havoc on your eyesight. Continual exposure without adequate protection leads to irreversible damage, including cataracts and astigmatism.

Wearing proper eye protection also helps prevent light sensitivity as well as the wrinkles caused by squinting.

How much do prescription sunglasses cost?

The price you pay largely depends on the brand and style you choose. These two factors determine the kind of materials used in your glasses, and ultimately affect the final cost.

A pair purchased from a luxury brand will carry a luxury price tag, as they boast premium materials and workmanship. Affordable options use inexpensive materials to make it easy on your wallet, although this means you must sacrifice some features too. They may not offer the same level of sun protection that name-brand styles do, or use lenses coated in scratch-resistant material.

Prescription sunglasses on the cheaper end of the spectrum can cost you less than $100 a pair. Brand-name pairs, on the other hand, can run up to $2,500 or more.

However, if you have insurance, you may be able to offset the cost of buying a new pair. In the best case scenario, you may even find that your purchase is fully covered.

So… what’s the verdict?

Just based on the benefits alone, prescription sunnies are well worth the price. The wide range of options you have ensures that you can find a pair you and your wallet love too.

With your very own pair of prescription sunglasses, you can look great without having to sacrifice your vision in the process.

Find the best prescription sunglasses for you at Raphael Opticians

Raphael Opticians (or Raffy’s, as our longtime customers like to call us) has helped hundreds of people in White Plains get the best vision possible, no matter how complex the prescription. We’ve spent over 57 years educating our customers on every aspect of their sight, even if it means you’ll go somewhere else to get the best possible fit.

Your glasses don’t just affect your sight, after all. Because your face is one of the first things people see when they look at you, they make a huge impact on your appearance — and by extension, your confidence.

On top of that, all of our glasses are made with special polymers instead of traditional glass. You’ll never have to worry about scratching or breaking them again.

We’ve dedicated our lives to helping you find your best fit, no matter what it takes. Put our service to the test and place an order for your new prescription glasses today!

Girl enjoying her prescription sunglasses