5 Prescription Sunglass Options

If you wear prescription eyeglasses, you know that you also need a solution for sunglasses. The problem is that, even if you buy quality sunglasses, you may not be able to see clearly since they don’t have the prescription your eyes need to see well. The answer isprescription sunglasses in North Syracuse, NY. Your optometrist at McPherson Optometry offers prescription sunglasses with a variety of available options, including:

1. Polarized Lenses

Polarized lenses help to protect your eyes from the harmful effects of UV rays. They work to reduce glare, which makes them great for outdoor activities like skiing, driving, fishing and more. The polarization also helps sometimes with visual clarity. In turn, this can reduce the potential for eye strain, which is always good.

2. Mirrored Lenses

Mirrored lenses not only look cool. They also offer benefits like reducing the amount of incoming light. If you work, live, or play in very bright conditions, such as those on ski slopes, mirrored lenses are a solid choice.

3. Photochromatic Lenses

Photochromic, or transition lenses, are perfect for those who move frequently between indoor and outdoor environments. These lenses automatically adjust to the level of sunlight exposure: they darken in bright sunlight to protect your eyes and fade to clear indoors. Photochromic lenses offer a convenient, two-in-one solution that may negate the need for a separate pair of prescription glasses.

4. High Index Lenses

For those with strong prescriptions, high-index lenses make prescription sunglasses thinner and lighter. These lenses are made from advanced materials that bend light more efficiently than standard plastic or glass, reducing lens thickness and improving comfort. They are especially beneficial for people who find thick lenses uncomfortable or aesthetically unpleasing.

5. Bifocal and Progressive Lenses

Bifocal and progressive lenses are available in sunglass formats for persons needing multiple vision corrections. Bifocals provide clear vision at two different distances: close-up and far away. Progressive lenses offer a smooth, gradual transition between multiple prescription strengths for near, intermediate-, and distance vision without visible lines on the lenses.

Note that you don’t have to only pick one of the above options. Depending upon which you choose, you may be able to combine options, such as bifocals with mirrored lenses, etc. Or, consider investing in more than one pair of prescription sunglasses. Book an appointment with yourNorth Syracuse, NY, optometrist today to learn more.

Understanding Your Eyeglasses Prescription

When you get your prescription eyeglasses in North Syracuse, NY, the technician will get the prescription filled with the eyeglass frames of your choice. All you have to worry about is what kinds of frames you want and whether you want certain lens coatings or other features. Since you’ll have the prescription for about a year, it’s helpful to understand the abbreviations and numbers that appear on it.

OD and OS

These are abbreviations that derive from the Latin, meaning “oculus dexter” and “oculus sinister.” They mean right eye and left eye, respectively. If your prescription also has an abbreviation, OU, that pertains to both eyes.

Sphere, or SPH

This indicates the amount of lens power, and it’s a measurement used by the optometric lab that will be fabricating your lenses. Measured in diopters (D), if the number has a minus sign (-), it means you’re nearsighted, while a plus sign (+) indicates farsightedness.

Cylinder, or CYL

You’ll only see this if you have astigmatism. Otherwise, the field for CYL will be left blank. A minus sign means nearsighted astigmatism, while a plus sign indicates farsighted astigmatism.

Axis

The axis defines the orientation of the astigmatism; in other words, the direction the astigmatism is occurring. It will appear as a number anywhere between 0 and 180.

Add

If you’re getting bifocals or trifocals, you’ll see this number, which is the added magnifying power applied to multifocal lenses, and it’s used to correct presbyopia. This number is always understood to be a “plus” power, even if it’s not explicitly stated.

Prism

Less common; this is a measurement used to correct alignment problems in the eyes. The number indicates the amount of power that’s used to compensate for any eye alignment issues you may have, and it’s measured in prism diopters, which may appear as “P.D.”

If all of this sounds complicated, that’s because it is. Your eye doctor works very hard to ensure the accuracy of all these measurements so you get the best possible eyeglasses. You can trust your optometrist in North Syracuse, NY when it comes to correcting your vision as much as possible. Contact us today to book your eye exam for prescription eyeglasses in North Syracuse and surrounding areas.