Prescription lenses for sunglasses let you see clearly in bright sun. But can you get prescription lenses in any sunglasses? In almost any, but not all. This guide explains which frames work, which custom lenses, tints and filter categories are available, how varifocal sunglasses work and how to order prescription sunglasses online.
Key points at a glance
- Almost any pair of sunglasses can be fitted with prescription lenses, except models with a single continuous lens and strongly curved sports frames.
- The flatter the frame and the smaller the lens, the wider the range of prescriptions and the thinner the lens.
- For everyday summer wear, filter category 2 usually works; for the beach, water and mountains, category 3. Look for UV400 and the CE or UKCA mark.
- Varifocal lenses are also available as sunglass lenses, provided the frame is deep enough.
Can you get prescription lenses in any sunglasses?
In principle, yes. When prescription lenses are put into sunglasses, the original lenses are removed and replaced with prescription sunglass lenses made to your prescription. What matters most is the shape of the frame:
- Flat or slightly curved frames such as the Wayfarer, aviators or round styles: almost any prescription is possible, including varifocals.
- Strongly curved sports frames: only a small range, often up to around 2 dioptres.
- Monolens, shield and panoramic shapes: with one continuous lens in front of both eyes, prescription lenses cannot be fitted.
Are prescription sunglasses available from well-known brands? Yes, many styles for women and men can be ordered directly with your prescription. Ray-Ban even offers original prescription lenses for selected models, with an engraved logo and the same tint as the original.
Which sunglasses frames work with prescription lenses?
Can normal prescription lenses be fitted into curved frames?
The frame curve, or wrap, describes how strongly the front of the frame bends around your face. Sunglasses are often more curved than regular glasses so they fit snugly at the sides. Normal lenses suit flatter fronts: the more curved the frame, the more the lens is tilted in front of your eye. This can cause distortion and limits the range of prescriptions. If you are unsure whether your prescription suits a frame, ask our customer service before ordering.
Lens size and thickness
The larger the lens, the more your prescription affects its thickness. Minus lenses for short-sightedness get thicker towards the edge, plus lenses in the centre. For stronger prescriptions, a slightly smaller frame and thinner high-index lenses help. Full-rim acetate frames hide thick edges best; with semi-rimless and rimless styles, the edge is more visible.
Sunglasses frames as everyday glasses: beware the owl effect
Many sunglasses, especially for women, have large lenses. With a dark tint they look great; with clear or lightly tinted lenses, the frame quickly looks oversized. This is often called the owl effect. If you want to wear a frame without tint too, choose it one size smaller.
Regular glasses with tinted prescription lenses
It works the other way round as well: any regular glasses frame can be fitted with tinted lenses and become a pair of sunglasses. Many styles also come in both a prescription and a sunglasses version, so it is worth comparing the two.
Which custom lenses for sunglasses are available?
| Lens type | Who is it for? | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Single vision lenses | short-sightedness, long-sightedness, astigmatism | the most common choice, correct for one distance |
| Varifocal lenses | different prescriptions for distance and near | all distances in one lens, needs a deep enough frame |
| Thinner lenses (higher index) | stronger prescriptions, larger frames | flatter and lighter |
| Photochromic lenses | one pair for indoors and outdoors | darken with UV light, hardly at all behind a windscreen |
| Original brand lenses | the original look | at Ray-Ban for selected models, with logo |
Photochromic lenses are clear indoors, so in a large sunglasses frame the owl effect returns. Read more in Smart and flexible: photochromic sunglasses.
Tints, polarisation and mirror coatings
With prescription lenses, you are not tied to the manufacturer’s lens colour: green-tinted sunglasses can become brown or blue-mirrored. A custom tint usually differs slightly from the original colour.
Tint colours and gradient tints
- Grey reduces light evenly and keeps colours natural.
- Brown looks warm and makes contrasts appear stronger.
- Green sits in between.
- Fashion colours such as blue or pink are often lighter and mainly a question of style.
- Gradient tints (dark at the top, light at the bottom) are practical for driving and reading, but less suited to the beach and snow.
Polarised lenses
Polarised lenses reduce glare from reflections on water, wet roads or light-coloured walls and are popular for water sports, fishing and the beach. Screens may look dark at certain angles. Whether they are available with your prescription for a particular frame depends on the manufacturer and model. More: Polarised Lenses for Optimal Vision.
Mirror coatings and anti-reflective coating on the back
A mirror coating on the front reflects part of the light and mainly defines the look, for example silver, gold or blue. An anti-reflective coating on the back surface reduces reflections from light coming from behind.
UV filter: UV400 and CE
How dark a lens is says nothing about its UV filter. Look for UV400: the lens filters UV radiation up to 400 nanometres. The CE or UKCA mark shows that the sunglasses meet the applicable requirements.
Filter categories: how dark should prescription sunglasses be?
Tint is usually given as a percentage: at 85 percent, the lens absorbs 85 percent of visible light. The filter category under EN ISO 12312-1 states how much light gets through.
| Category | Light transmission | Tint approx. | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 80–100 % | up to 20 % | indoors, night |
| 1 | 43–80 % | 20–57 % | overcast skies, fashion tints |
| 2 | 18–43 % | 57–82 % | everyday summer wear |
| 3 | 8–18 % | 82–92 % | beach, water, mountains |
| 4 | 3–8 % | 92–97 % | glaciers, not for driving |
For everyday wear, a tint of at least 75 percent (category 2) is common; for water, beach and mountains, 85 percent (category 3) is the better choice.
Varifocal lenses in sunglasses
Varifocal sunglasses let you see clearly at a distance and up close without switching between tinted reading glasses and sunglasses. The top of the lens is for distance, the bottom for reading, with the intermediate zone in between. The frame should therefore be deep enough, only slightly curved and fit securely.
You will also need the addition (ADD) from your prescription, and accurate centring is especially important. Whether varifocal lenses are offered for your chosen frame and which details are needed is shown when you select lenses in our shop.
Prescription sunglasses: current models
Models you can order directly with your prescription are on our prescription sunglasses page, currently including the Ray-Ban Wayfarer, Aviator Large Metal, Justin and Erika as well as models from Prada, Prada Linea Rossa and Miu Miu. Which colours are available right now is shown on each model.
Ray-Ban BILL (RB2198 129251)£95.64
Prada PR 65ZS ZVN09T£152.59
Prada PR B15S 17N70R£195.94
Miu Miu MU B07S 16K04O£202.61
Prada PR 15WS 01R0A6£145.92
Ray-Ban CATS 5000 (RB4125 710/51)£95.64
Ray-Ban RB3928 001/S2£113.40
Miu Miu MU A06S 16K08Z£164.26How to order custom sunglasses with prescription lenses online
- Have your prescription ready: sphere (SPH), cylinder (CYL) and axis from your current prescription, for varifocals the addition (ADD), plus your pupillary distance (PD). If your prescription is not up to date, have it checked by an optician or eye doctor.
- Choose a frame: the model must be available with prescription lenses. Compare lens width, bridge and temple length with a pair that fits you well; the measurements are usually printed inside the temple.
- Choose your lenses: single vision or varifocal, and lens thickness.
- Choose your sun protection: colour and tint level, plus a gradient, polarisation or mirror coating if you like. Make sure you actively select a tint, otherwise the lenses will be made as clear prescription lenses.
- Check and order: the lenses are made to order and fitted into the frame. This takes longer than for sunglasses without prescription; the current timeframe is shown when you order.
More on buying glasses online: Buying Glasses Online – is it really possible?
Frequently asked questions about prescription sunglasses
How much do prescription sunglasses cost?
The price is made up of the frame and the lenses. For the lenses, the type, thickness and extras such as polarisation or a mirror coating matter. You can see the current price as soon as you configure your lenses in our shop.
Can I get prescription sunglass lenses only, for a frame I already own?
Technically yes, as long as the frame does not have a single continuous lens and is not too curved. Many local opticians offer to fit new prescription lenses into your own sunglasses. At Edel-Optics, you order the frame and lenses together.
Can I drive in prescription sunglasses?
Yes, during the day with category 2 or 3. Category 4 is not suitable for driving, and sunglasses do not belong at the wheel at dusk or at night. Photochromic lenses barely darken behind a windscreen.
Prescription sunglasses or contact lenses?
Both work: with contact lenses, you can wear any non-prescription sunglasses. If you would rather not wear contact lenses, prescription sunglasses are the alternative. That is why many people have both: regular glasses and a pair of prescription sunglasses.
