Blog Hero

How Do I Get a Prescription for Sunglasses?

Request Appointment
Young man wearing sunglasses smiling in a car.

Sunglasses are a great (and fashionable) way to protect your eyes from harmful UV rays. Getting yourself a pair of regular sunglasses is easy enough, but what if you need prescription sunglasses?

The process to get prescription sunglasses is similar to getting regular eyeglasses. Schedule an eye exam, let your eye doctor know you want prescription sunglasses, and they can write you an updated prescription for your eyeglasses and sunglasses. Then, it’s as simple as ordering a pair of prescription sunglasses.

Eyesis Eyecare Center is here to help make the process of getting prescription sunglasses as smooth and effortless as possible.  

Schedule an Eye Exam

The first step in obtaining a prescription for sunglasses is to schedule an appointment with an eye doctor or an optometrist. During the eye exam, your eye care professional will assess your vision and eye health to determine if you require corrective lenses.

What Are Prescription Sunglasses?

Sunglasses are a good way to protect your eyes from sun damage. They can provide comfort for your eyes when outdoors, especially if you are sensitive to light. Since headaches and migraines can be caused by light sensitivity, a pair of sunglasses can also prevent these headaches. 

In addition to the protective benefits of regular sunglasses, prescription sunglasses also address your specific vision correction needs, such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. These tailored lenses allow you to see clearly while shielding your eyes from harmful UV rays and bright sunlight, making them a practical and convenient solution for people who want to protect their eyes from the sun while also requiring corrective lenses.

Discuss Your Needs

Informing your eye care provider that you want prescription sunglasses allows them to tailor the examination for your outdoor vision needs. This customized approach involves specialized tests to assess how your eyes perform in different light conditions like sunlight and glare. 

Engaging in a dialogue about UV protection lets your doctor give you personalized recommendations that enhance your visual comfort and eye health outdoors.

A man and woman smiling while trying on sunglasses together.

Choose Your Frames

Once you have your prescription, you can choose from a wide variety of frames that can accommodate prescription lenses. There are numerous styles and brands available, so take your time to select a pair that suits your face shape and personal style.

Select Lens Options

When selecting lenses for your sunglasses, consider options like tinted lenses, polarized lenses, and photochromic lenses to enhance your visual comfort in different lighting conditions. Your eye care provider can help you decide on the best lens options based on your lifestyle and activities.

Tinted Lenses

Different tints offer different ways of filtering light. Some tints block light better than others, while some tints can enhance your vision in low-light conditions. Depending on the situation, tints help improve visibility, reduce eye strain, and offer sun protection.

Polarized Lenses

Polarized lenses are tinted lenses that also provide shade, but polarized lenses are specifically designed to reduce glare from reflective surfaces by blocking intense reflected light. These lenses are ideal for activities like driving and outdoor sports. They minimize eye strain, offer UV protection, and improve overall visual comfort in bright conditions.

Photochromic Lenses

Photochromic lenses, also known as transition lenses, darken in sunlight and clear up indoors. They adjust to light changes, offering vision correction and UV protection without needing two different pairs. This versatility makes them a convenient choice for people moving between indoor and outdoor settings, providing consistent eye comfort and protection throughout the day.

Get Your Prescription

After selecting your frames and lens options, your eye care provider will provide you with a prescription specifically for sunglasses. This prescription will include details such as the lens power needed to correct your vision and any additional features or coatings.

Regular Eye Exams

Regular eye exams help maintain both the accuracy of your prescription and the health of your eyes. By scheduling routine appointments with your eye care provider, you can make sure that any vision changes are promptly identified and addressed. 

Additionally, these exams enable your eye care professional to screen for potential eye conditions or diseases and adjust your prescription regularly to optimize your visual clarity and comfort. Prioritizing regular eye exams is key to preserving good eye health and ensuring that your vision remains clear and consistent.

Order Your Prescription Sunglasses

Getting a prescription for sunglasses is a straightforward process that involves scheduling an eye exam, discussing your needs with your eye care provider, choosing frames and lens options, getting your prescription, and ordering your customized sunglasses. Remember, protecting your eyes with proper eyewear is essential for maintaining good eye health and enjoying clear vision outdoors.At Eyesis Eyecare Center, our team can help you choose customized lens types to meet your vision and style needs. Trust our expert team to provide personalized attention and top-notch services tailored to your needs. To add a prescription to your sunglasses or address other vision concerns, book an appointment now to get started.

Written by
Dr. Kam Dhiman

More Articles By
Dr. Kam Dhiman

Protecting Your Eyes & Vision Is What We Do

Our clinic is fully equipped with modern technology used to manage eye conditions, such as macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataracts, diabetes, and retinal diseases. We’re ready to support your eye health.

When it comes to keeping your eyes safe at work, we value providing safety glasses that meet your needs. No matter your field of work, we can help give your eyes the protection they deserve.

Why Choose Us?

We have been serving Calgary families for decades.

Routine eye exams for children & seniors with a valid Alberta Health Care card are fully covered in our clinic.

We provide eye exams for children with disabilities & special needs.

We welcome emergency eye care patients. Visits are covered under Alberta Health Care.

Our expertise & knowledge always shine through.

We pride ourselves on providing full, comprehensive eye exams without hidden charges.

Our clinic can provide services in both Spanish & Punjabi in addition to English.

Direct Billing

Come Visit Us in Southeast Calgary

How to Find Us

Eyesis Eyecare is located in the Riverbend Shopping Centre on 18th Street SE, near the VCA Canada Riverbend Animal Hospital.

Our Clinic can accommodate wheelchair patients who can safely transfer themselves (or with their own assistant). We are unable to assist in transfers as we do not have a fully wheelchair equipped exam room/bathroom.

Where to park?

We are located in the Riverbend Shopping Centre, so there is plenty of parking available in front of the clinic. We look forward to welcoming you.

Our Address

  • #346, 8338 18 St.
  • SE Calgary, AB T2C4E4

Contact Information

Hours of Operation

  • Monday: 9:00 AM 5:00 PM
  • Tuesday: 9:00 AM 5:00 PM
  • Wednesday: 9:00 AM 5:00 PM
  • Thursday: 9:00 AM 5:00 PM
  • Friday: 9:00 AM 5:00 PM
  • Saturday: 9:00 AM 3:00 PM
  • Sunday: Closed

*Closed daily from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM on all weekdays

*Closed on all statutory holidays

Our Blog

A little girl smiling while an out-of-frame optometrist examines her eyes during an eye exam.

Your child’s vision is just as important as their overall health, and regular children’s eye exams are an easy way to stay on top of their eyesight. These exams aren’t just about checking their prescription—it’s about catching potential issues before they cause your child any inconvenience. You should be scheduling your child’s first eye exam […]

Read More… from How Often Should My Child Have an Eye Exam?

A little boy smiling in front of an eye chart while trying on myopia control eyeglass lenses.

Myopia, commonly known as nearsightedness, is a growing concern for parents across the globe. Children are developing myopia at a higher rate than ever, but fortunately, there may be an answer: myopia control. Through specialty lenses, you can slow how your child’s eye grows, preserving more of their vision. Myopia control lenses can come in […]

Read More… from Are Glasses a Myopia Control Option?

A child sitting with homework on a table rubbing their eyes with both hands.

Myopia, or nearsightedness, is becoming increasingly common in today’s digital age. Children may not be aware they have myopia. However, regular children’s eye exams can diagnose myopia.   While you can’t cure myopia, myopia control measures can help prevent progression. With the rise in screen use and indoor activities, especially among children, understanding myopia and its […]

Read More… from Can Myopia Be Cured?

instagram facebook facebook2 pinterest twitter google-plus google linkedin2 yelp youtube phone location calendar share2 link star-full star star-half chevron-right chevron-left chevron-down chevron-up envelope fax