Eyeglasses and Eyewear
Prescription Sunglasses
Prescription sunglasses combine vision correction with UV protection and glare control. In Arizona they are closer to essential equipment than an accessory, given the year round sun intensity.
Arizona sun makes prescription sunglasses a practical necessity rather than a luxury. UV exposure here is high year round, and cumulative UV exposure is associated with cataract formation, macular degeneration and growths on the eye surface such as pterygium.
Polarisation is the upgrade that changes daily driving. A plain tint reduces overall brightness, which helps a little. Polarised lenses specifically eliminate reflected glare bouncing off road surfaces, car bonnets and water, which is what actually makes you squint.
Wraparound designs give better protection because they block light entering from above and the sides. Curved lenses used to distort prescriptions badly, but modern digitally surfaced lenses have largely solved that, and both Oakley and Maui Jim make wrap designs that take prescriptions properly.
What is included
- Prescription sunglass lenses in polarised and tinted options
- Full UV protection
- Maui Jim, Oakley and Ray-Ban among the brands stocked
- Professional fitting and adjustment
- Free adjustments and repairs, plus the WOW Warranty
Questions and answers
Are polarised lenses worth the difference?
In Arizona, for most people, yes. Reflected glare from road surfaces is the main source of driving discomfort and polarisation eliminates it rather than just dimming everything.
Can I get a wraparound style with my prescription?
Usually. Modern digitally surfaced lenses handle the curvature that used to distort vision in wrap frames. Very high prescriptions still have limits.
Do Transitions lenses work instead?
They are a good compromise for one pair covering everything, though they darken less in the car because windscreens block most of the UV that activates them. Dedicated sunglasses go darker and can be polarised.
Do my sunglasses actually block UV?
Bring them in and it can be checked. Not all sunglasses do, and a dark lens without UV protection is worse than none, because the pupil dilates behind it and admits more UV.
Talk to someone about prescription sunglasses
Appointments are scheduled two per hour, so there is time to answer questions properly. Call (480) 706-3937 or request a time online.