Prescription Sunglasses

[fredr123]

I recently had to start wearing glasses full time, especially for driving. Also recently, it's started to become bright and sunny outside. I would like to get a pair of reasonably priced prescription sunglasses. Where should I look?

Here's my problem, though. I have a large head and an abnormally-shaped nose. It's hard to find a pair of glasses that fit my giant melon and don't look out of place on my face.

I have one pair of sunglasses that aren't prescription that I really like which were purchased from an Oakley outlet in Washington a few years ago. Prescription lenses could go in those frames but I would be paying a few hundred bucks for lenses in frames that only cost me $40 to begin with. Doesn't seem right.

The place that sold me my eye glasses is great, but like most brick and mortar stores these days, seems a bit over priced. The service is great and I like my optometrist so I'm not complaining. I'd just like to find something reasonably priced, perhaps online, that will fit the bill.

Any suggestions?

[chalms04]

If you know your prescription and approx facial measurements (to pick an appropriately sized frame), then you cant beat clearlycontacts.ca.

[justkidding]

Costco!

[Sliver]

Try Wal-Mart, too. Crappy selection, but if you find something you like their prices are insanely cheap.

[fredr123]

Originally Posted by chalms04

If you know your prescription and approx facial measurements (to pick an appropriately sized frame), then you cant beat clearlycontacts.ca.

Do they do prescription sunglasses though? I was just browsing there and it isn't obvious.

framesdirect.com seems to have a huge selection of stuff that I like but it certainly isn't cheap. Maybe a bit cheaper than buying in store, I suppose.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by chalms04

If you know your prescription and approx facial measurements (to pick an appropriately sized frame), then you cant beat clearlycontacts.ca.

I've bought a couple of pairs of frames off of clearlycontacts.ca and they don't fit as well as frames from other places. My facial measurements don't seem too abnormal, and aside from being particularly good looking there isn't anything weird about my face. I think the small nuances in a face that don't really show up in a width/height formula can make glasses look either really good or really crappy on you. At this point, I'll only buy glasses that I've tried on - never anything online.

[awildermode]

Another option: Next time you get new frames, look for the ones with clip on (magnet) sunglasses.





Note: Transition lenses do not work in while driving (unless you have a convertible). Needs to have UV to activate tinting.

[Crazy Bacon Legs]

Do you have any eye care coverage through insurance?

I used to have a "cheap" pair of Rx sunglasses, and I hated them. They were uncomfortable and didn't fit well.

Last time I went in, I bought a pair of Oakley frames. I absolutely love them and I wear them all the time when I'm outside.

If you find something that fits really well and you like the look of, I would splurge and spend the extra bit of money on a pair of glasses you will regularly use and which fit comfortably. That's not to say you have to break the bank, but make sure you have a proper pair that you like.

That said, if your $40 frames fit the bill, why not get Rx lenses put in those?

[fredr123]

Originally Posted by Sliver

I've bought a couple of pairs of frames off of clearlycontacts.ca and they don't fit as well as frames from other places. My facial measurements don't seem too abnormal, and aside from being particularly good looking there isn't anything weird about my face. I think the small nuances in a face that don't rally show up in a width/height formula can make glasses look either really good or really crappy on you. At this point, I'll only buy glasses that I've tried on - never anything online.

You and I suffer from the same affliction.

I was hoping to try some stuff on in a store, pick out frames I like and find the same thing online for cheap. Doesn't seem to be possible. I must be doing it wrong.

[fredr123]

Originally Posted by Crazy Bacon Legs

Do you have any eye care coverage through insurance?

I used to have a "cheap" pair of Rx sunglasses, and I hated them. They were uncomfortable and didn't fit well.

Last time I went in, I bought a pair of Oakley frames. I absolutely love them and I wear them all the time when I'm outside.

If you find something that fits really well and you like the look of, I would splurge and spend the extra bit of money on a pair of glasses you will regularly use and which fit comfortably. That's not to say you have to break the bank, but make sure you have a proper pair that you like.

That said, if your $40 frames fit the bill, why not get Rx lenses put in those?

I don't have coverage but my wife has a health spending account. We blew all that dough to get my regular glasses a couple months ago.

The $40 Oakley frames are old and showing wear. When I got them they were a discontinued model and were super cheap. I can't find the exact same model anywhere (but there are a few that are kind of close). I got an estimate of just under $300 to put tinted prescription lenses in those frames. That just doesn't seem smart to me.

[fredr123]

Originally Posted by awildermode

Another option: Next time you get new frames, look for the ones with clip on (magnet) sunglasses.





Note: Transition lenses do not work in while driving (unless you have a convertible). Needs to have UV to activate tinting.

I've had clip on sunglasses before and I was never overly impressed with them. I prefer sunglasses with larger lenses to block out more light. Adding a clip on doesn't really work with my smallish eyeglasses.

[GrrlGoalie33]

My suggestion is if you're going to be wearing them a lot, spend the money now...you won't regret it. Last year I spent around $600 on a pair of Oakley prescription sunglasses (with polarized lenses) and I absolutely love them. I am so glad that for once, I didn't cheap out on a pair of sunglasses.

[ma-skis.com]

Originally Posted by fredr123

Here's my problem, though. I have a large head and an abnormally-shaped nose. It's hard to find a pair of glasses that fit my giant melon and don't look out of place on my face.

sounds familiar to me, anyways, would switching to contacts be a solution?

[Slava]

Originally Posted by justkidding

Costco!

This is what I did for prescription sunglasses a couple years ago. Basically it was $200 and I could go in and try them on (and get my wife to say yes or no!).

[fredr123]

Originally Posted by ma-skis.com

sounds familiar to me, anyways, would switching to contacts be a solution?

I've tried contacts and they work okay for short periods of time. After a while, they drive me nuts and I want to scratch them off my face. I gave them a fair chance and tried a number of different kinds before making the conscious decision to switch to glasses full time.

[HOOT]

What about transition lens?

I know Oakley and a few others make them with their sunglasses, or you could put them in normal glasses. I've heard they don't work well driving though because the UV is blocked by the wind sheild.