Power your style

It goes without saying that caring for your eyes is important. When your eyes feel irritated or itchy, you get them checked, right? After all, poor vision makes it harder to read, drive, cook and complete various tasks. That is why protecting your eyes is no joke and should be catered to immediately if any problem or disease is detected.

However, while many people rush to optometrists at the first sign of trouble, they tend to lapse on purchasing proper protective eye wear from the sun which in this part of the world is more than a necessity.

The sun’s bright rays can lead to long term eye damage and ultraviolet radiation from the sun can also cause sunburns on the eyes and over time, lead to diseases such as macular degeneration.

HealthWeekly has teamed up with Rivoli EyeZone, one of the region’s leading opticians, to highlight the importance of prescription sunglasses and eye protection throughout the sunny season.

Prescription Sunglasses

The first thing that comes to our mind when we think of sunglasses is fashion – style, colours, luxury and so on. But sunglasses actually play an important role in protecting our eyes against the sun’s harmful UV rays and providing clearer vision.  In this part of the world, sun light is at times bright and harsh. That is the norm throughout the year which is why sunglasses are essential parts of our daily wear. 

Direct sunlight can be a problem while driving, cycling, playing any sport or lounging outdoors at beaches and pools. For those who require wearing eyeglasses, the only way to protect their eyes from sunlight is by using proper prescription sunglasses.

Previously, eyeglass wearers with a prescription had problems securing a good pair of sunglasses since combining the fashion and style of shades with the functionality of specs was challenging.  Recent advancements have now ensured that getting crisp, clear vision outdoors with fashionable and cool sunglasses is easily achieved through the availability of a wide range of prescription sunglasses.

These are the benefits of wearing prescription sunglasses:

Protection from UV rays and glare

Prescription sunglasses with polarised lenses protect your eyes from harmful UV rays and harsh glare radiated from concrete pavement, water, sand, road surface, etc. Polarised prescription sunglasses also provide better vision due to enhanced colour and clarity.

Hassle-free eyewear

One cannot wear eyeglasses under sunglasses to ensure a clear vision when outdoors. There are instances when you do not want to wear contact lenses like on the beach where your eyes can become itchy and watery as you battle the effects of sand, sun, wind and water. Swimming with contact lenses comes with its own set of challenges in terms of eye health. At these times, your prescription sunglasses are essential to ensure perfect outdoor vision, while protecting your eyes.

Wide range of lens materials

Prescription sunglasses come in various optical lens materials such as polycarbonate, a durable, lightweight plastic; CR-39, a plastic used mainly in prescription grade lenses and Trivex, which has very high impact resistance. Choice of lens material is dependent on needs and lifestyle of the wearer.

When choosing the right lens material and vision-enhancing features like contrast, colour and so forth, it is important to consider the type of activities that you’ll be engaging in. For example, CR-39 lenses offer the clearest edge-to-edge optics.

If you’re the active type, you should choose polycarbonate or Hi-index lenses. They are lightweight, yet offer crisp optics. These are ideal when participating in sports such as football, running and golf, as they are scratch and impact resistance.

Lens tints for different activities

Various lens tints are available in prescription sunglasses to suit every hobby, sport or occupation. Grey lens tints reduce brightness and at the same time keep colours intact. Brown and amber tints reduce glare – including the glare created by the blue frequency in sunlight. Yellow lens tints reduce the haze from blue light, so they sharpen the view, whereas green-tinted lenses reduce glare and help filter out some of the blue light, providing good contrast between objects.

Wide range of prescriptions

Prescription sunglasses today come from low to high powers for both single vision and progressive customers. Age is no longer a barrier to a wider choice of prescription sunglasses that you can opt for.

Stylish options

Almost any sunglass can be fitted out with a customised prescription lens tailored to the wearer’s taste and choice, making it very feasible for continued usage of your favourite sunglass for perfect vision at all times.

Style quotient

Mirror coating on your prescription sunglasses can always up your style quotient. 

Across GCC, it is estimated that prevalence of refractive errors (short and long sightedness) is about 35 per cent of population and require vision correction aids such as eyeglasses and/or contacts while only a fraction of such people wear prescription sunglasses. 

Lack of awareness is an essential reason for non-usage of prescription sunglasses which offers many advantages highlighted above. Availability of extensive range of lens options to power your favourite branded sunglasses at very affordable prices ensures this essential wear is within easy reach.

Who is the right candidate?

• Anyone who requires a prescription (Myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism or presbyopia).

• Young or old as prescription sunglasses come both in single vision as well as progressive lenses.

• Anyone keen on having crisp and clear vision while outdoors or during activities like driving.

• Those that need freedom from squinting, glare, photophobia and protection from harmful UV rays.

Open your eyes to the whole new world of prescription sunglasses.  Visit Rivoli EyeZone stores in City Centre Bahrain, Oasis Mall Juffair and Seef Mall Muharraq for more details.