prescription sunglass questions (again)

[azfiddle]

Hi all

I would like to get some prescription sunglasses, and have read through several threads on TE but I'm still a little confused about what I want and need....

I have a progressive bifocal, so not all styles can be adapted to my prescription.

I don't want to spend a huge amount of money, and would like to be able to use my medical flexible spending account to reimburse me, if possible. Any experience with that?

How important is it to get a wrap style?

I looked at Performance and they have a style that takes a prescription lens insert, it's not too expensive but it's not that attractive, and a little large for my smallish face.

I tried on the Oakley half-flak style at Lenscrafters and it didn't look too bad on me, but they don't apply any discounts at all on Oakley products, so I think it would be too expensive.

I would like to try the style on before I purchase anything.

Thanks for any thoughts and suggestions.

Sharon

[Zen]

Wouldn't you be able to use a single lens type in these?
That would lower the price.

Keep shopping. I wanted to try mine on too.
I ended up with a pair of Maui Jim's from Sterling Optical

[jessmarimba]

I think Optic Nerve has a few styles that work well with prescription lenses. I picked out some that were very cute but my vision is so bad that no athletic sunglasses are going to work for me.

I don't know if you can try any on near you but they are frequently at bike events here with trial pairs.

...and I don't know anything about medical spending accounts so I don't know if they'd work for you. Sorry

[beccaB]

I have progressive bifocals, and I could not make a wrap around style work for me. My eye doctor carries a brand of sport glasses that have a lot of plastic around the edges to keep the wind out(and bugs) I got them in transitions lenses and I love them! They have a strap that fastens on the side bars to hold them on my head better. The only thing is I couldn't afford to have them made with my bifocals, so I can't read a map while I'm riding, but I can see everything else.

[Tokie]

I had a pair from Rudy Project that I loved except that my eyes are VERY close set, and they had to put my pupil distance offset from my actual pupil distance. It was weird, but I got used to it. the optician sent the Rudys frame to Rudy Project and their optical dept made my progressive bifocal prescription with the Rudy lenses. (I had tried the lens insert that they sell for the frame, but my eyelashes touched the lens, not good) You can get discontinued frames on the rudy project website, (usu discontinued colors, often at a great discount) I eventually switched to a pair of Maui Jims myself (with my progressive Rx made for them) they don't keep the wind out of my eyes nearly as well as my rudys did, but I eventually couldn't stand my pupillary distance being off-center. tokie

[Owlie]

I'm looking at Oakleys as well, because I like the styling. No bifocals, but I have an odd prescription (I'm very nearsighted and have astigmatism), so it limits my options. I love the Pace frames, but I think that 'scrip would render it nasty-looking.

I agree with you on the Performance ones. Cheap, but...ugh.

I'm interested to find out what works for you.

[badgercat]

I'm definitely interested in what you end up doing, too, Sharon. Especially if you end up having good luck somewhere local in Tucson. I definitely need to invest in some Rx sunglasses, I'd like for them to be athletic oriented (rather than just throwing tinted lenses in any ol' frame), and I didn't really care for the (limited) selection at my regular optometrist's office (other than some $500+ Maui Jims, which weren't in the budget) when I checked a few months back. I don't have bifocal needs, but I do have a moderately-strong prescription that I know will limit my wrap-around choices.

[Zen]

I got Maui Jim's and I love them. They were only about $300

[Pedal Wench]

I used Maui Jims for a while, but wanted slightly more sporty ones with more wrap after getting a bug in my eye, so I also have the Rudy Projects. I ordered them from something I think called SportsRX. Nice guy, reasonable prices. I use the Maui Jims now as my regular all-around sunglasses and the RP's solely on the bike.

[roadie gal]

I have a pair of Zeals that I'm finally going to replace after 4 years. I've NEVER had a pair of glasses last this long. I've used these for biking, running, skiing, hiking... They're on my face almost every day.

Mine aren't bifocal, but they can make them. They also aren't wrap around, but I haven't noticed any problems because of that.

[malkin]

Do you need bifocals for riding? I only have my distance corrected in my sunglasses. Other times, I'm in bifocals, readers, bifocal contacts, or stumbling around in the blur.

Oakleys are pricey, but I had use it or lose it money in flexible spending at the end of the term.

[Zen]

The way I figure it, this is something that's on your face, like a good hairdo is on your head.

It's worth it to pay a little bit more, especially if you figure the cost over two or three years.

[Catrin]

I love my Oakleys, but the strength of your prescription can greatly limit your choice of frames. We had to tweak my prescript. slightly to be able to get them. They are very protective to the eyes and I do not regret the expense. I opted out of the bifocal as well though I do sort of regret that choice.

[JennK13]

I had a pair from Rudy Project that I loved except that my eyes are VERY close set, and they had to put my pupil distance offset from my actual pupil distance. It was weird, but I got used to it. the optician sent the Rudys frame to Rudy Project and their optical dept made my progressive bifocal prescription with the Rudy lenses. (I had tried the lens insert that they sell for the frame, but my eyelashes touched the lens, not good) You can get discontinued frames on the rudy project website, (usu discontinued colors, often at a great discount) I eventually switched to a pair of Maui Jims myself (with my progressive Rx made for them) they don't keep the wind out of my eyes nearly as well as my rudys did, but I eventually couldn't stand my pupillary distance being off-center. tokie

I also have Rudy Projects that I got from the eye doctor and used my flex account. Like Tokie, I had issues with the script because I have a really bad astigmatism. I actually had to send them back to have the inserts replaced because my optic centers were off. The way they fixed it was by removing the sunglass lenses, leaving the inserts in place, and marking the optic centers with the inserts on the frame - the inserts are flat when out, so the optic center is distorted when you put it in the frame and it bends. They replaced mine at no cost to me, but something to definately keep in mind if you go with an insert. My astigmatism is so bad, that inserts are the only way I can get a wrap lense.
By the way, love the glasses. I wear them for everything - softball to cycling, and they stay on, and keep the wind and crap out of my eyes.

[inspiredcyclist]

I just began wearing glasses last summer, and the are progressive lenses. I realized I would really benefit from having sunglasses too - for driving and riding. I was able to get a pair of RayBanns, with my progressive prexcription. I have only had them a few weeks, but just used them on a bike tour, and they were great! Oh, and I did use flex $ to purchase them.