Prescription Sunglasses um... for WDW of course!

[nicknamy1996]

Yep, I guess this is OT... but someday I'll wear my sunglasses to WDW... so we're back OnT.

Any advice on this? When I got my new glasses they said I could add a pair of prescription sunglasses "that day only" for 40% off, that brought it down to around $350 if I recall correctly! I would like a pair for vacation (especially the beach) but for driving also. I'll do some looking online, but does that seem right? Does anybody have any recommendations?

Again I know OT, but thanks in advance!

 

[patsal]

Do you have an America's Best--take your prescription with you and for two pairs of glasses, one sun and one regular I paid around $165. They will even change your prescription once during a two year period for no additional charge. The frames are designer as well. I'm going back to get new ones since I'd like to update my frames.

 

[pamlet]

You know - I've tried prescription sunglasses and never did enjoy "swapping" them out... I guess I need my glasses so much that the swap always threw me off..

I started wearing "clip ons" from Walmart.... used to the the ones that clip in the middle - but now have the ones that sort of stretch and grab the sides of the lenses - and really unless you're really studying them they don't look like "clip ons". I LOVE them!

Just a thought..

 

[Local_Girl]

Thanks for this info, Pamlet! We just got back from WDW and I HATED having to "swap out" the glasses/sunglasses constantly! I'm going to check into these clip ons at Walmart. Actually, I need an exam and a new prescription anyway...and am interested in (I think they are called this...they darken in bright light) photo grade lenses. Does anyone have experiences/comments on these? Thank you!

 

[pamlet]

You know I'm curious about the changing ones too! Years ago when they first came out I know that they "darkened" over time... that's what kept me from getting them. I wonder if they've advanced the technology enough that they don't darken up...

The thing I like best about the clippies is that if you lose them - it's under 10.00 to replace ... laugh. I tend to misplace them - tho' the latest ones I got have a sort of "harder" case.. and I TRY to put them back in the case when I take them off... If I don't ... and just throw them in the purse they can get a little bent up..

 

[Rhonda922]

I recently broke my regular eyeglasses so I had to replace them. When I was at the store, they mentioned the Transitions lenses that darken when you go outside in the sun. I ended buying them and while my eyeglasses cost alot, I am SO glad that I got the Transition lenses. Its funny to look at them inside when they are so clear and then when I go outside they darken up so much. When I first got them, I forgot that they darken up when I go outside and I was ready for my eyes to start tearing like they always do in the sun. The lenses instantly darken -- there's no waiting. Boom, they darken right up. It's amazing. I wish I had these a long time ago. I'm not even going to bother bringing my prescription sunglasses with me to WDW. I hate having to carry them anyway.

 

[thelittlemermaid]

I have the transitions lenses and wish they would become darker when out in the sun. That's what I like about sunglasses, you can try them on and see if they are dark enough for you. When I got my glasses I even told them I wanted as dark as they could get. If this is it, next time I go in for an exam, I am going to ask about contacts so I can start wearing sunglasses again.

When we were at Disney I had to take Aleve everyday because of headaches from being in the sun because of my glasses not being dark enough. On our next trip, things will be different.

Funny thing is when walking from outside to inside, the transitions lenses don't lighten quick enough for me to see. I have walked around a store for about 3 minutes holding on to DH or DS waiting for my glasses to lighten so I could see where I'm going. LOL!!!!

 

[powellrj]

Do you have an America's Best--take your prescription with you and for two pairs of glasses, one sun and one regular I paid around $165. They will even change your prescription once during a two year period for no additional charge. The frames are designer as well. I'm going back to get new ones since I'd like to update my frames.

I have seen their commericals on TV and wondered if there was a "catch" I maybe heading there for my new glasses!

 

[nicknamy1996]

Thanks all!

I know I wonder what the catch is too. We have insurance and every year we use it and it still costs us a lot for glasses and every year I say to my wife "lets go to the mall this year" but "they don't take our insurance" she says. Well if we can get even 1 pair for 150, it will be cheaper then the place we go every year that does take it.

 

[disneygirl1977k]

I got the transition lenses glasses last year and I am so not impressed......does anyone know if they have changed them at all.....because they do not work at all unless I am directly in the sun....they don't work in the car because I am not directly in the sunlight and I just don't like that....if they are going to work like sunglasses well then they need to work in the car during the day, you know.....has anyone else had this problem or know if you can get a different kind of lenses that work better??? I will stick to my contacts and sunglasses for now.
Kristy

 

[mareed]

I have transitions lenses, but I was specifically told when I purchased them that they would not darken while driving a car because they're not in direct sunlight then. I don't wear my all the time, but 2 members of our group had them on a Disney trip, and also had the problem where they wouldn't be able to see inside of any of the "dark" rides in MK because their glasses were still dark! I like the idea of the non-clip type of clip-ons over prescription glasses.

 

[Pinnie]

Dh has the transitions and they do NOT darken in the car and he still had to buy another pair of sunglasses to drive.

I tried the magnet clip ons and they were OK. I am back to using regular and prescription sunglasses since my cataract surgery.

pinnie

 

[scootersmom]

I had the transitions and they didn't darken in the car.

Then tried the regular glasses and prescription sunglasses. They worked much better but it was especially bad switching them all the time at Disney where it seems you're in and out of the sun so frequently.

Now I have the regular glasses with the magnetic clip on sunglasses. I like these better so far. Have only had them about a month or so.

 

[macs4us]

My eye doctor told me to not get the transitions lenses and only wear sunglasses with polarized lenses - especially since I live in Southern California The polarized lenses make a huge difference!!!

I too bought my glasses at WalMart with the magnetic clip. They are actually sold with the specific clip so you are not trying to find one that "kind of" fits (you can buy generic clips). I also had one where the clip was a cool color of plastic so that when I wore the clip it really looked like sunglasses. You can ask the optometrist - or salesperson - for glasses that come with a clip and they will help you out. I know that Target has them as well.

 

[ncbyrne]

I have transistions and wore them last year in WDW. They worked great for me! No more having to carry around another pair of glasses and switch them on and off. I find that as long as I wear a hat with a visor to block the sun from coming in from the top I fare much better - even with regular sun glasses. In the car I keep a pair of the big sunglasses that fit over your regular glasses. I wouldn't dream of wearing them anywhere but in the car, but they work great since the transitions don't darken enough in the car.

 

[Marseeya]

I lost my prescription sunglasses last fall and didn't have the money to get a new pair, so I found a pair of wrap around sunglasses at Walmart that go OVER your regular glasses. You can buy them small, medium, or large. I have the small ones and you can't even tell I'm wearing glasses underneath!

I think they cost $20. Instead of swapping them, I just wear them up on my head like a head band. The ones I have are black and the lenses are really dark.

Here are some pictures of them: Fitover sunglasses

 

[swilshire]

I've tried prescription sunglasses and never did enjoy "swapping" them out

For this reason, I switched years ago to the kind of eyeglasses that darken when you're in the sun. I wouldn't buy anything else now. Just bought the same for DS17 and he loves them too. DD19 especially likes hers because she works outdoors and is not allowed to wear "sunglasses", but they let her wear her regular prescription lenses that get dark. If I were another employee, I would argue that they look the same in the end, but it works out well for her.

I stick with real glass because they get darker than the plastic. I've never had a problem with them not getting dark enough in the car or anywhere else.

The only time they are a bit of a disadvantage is when you go from direct sun to a very dark place like a movie. It takes a minute for them to lighten up.

Sheila

 

[swilshire]

You know I'm curious about the changing ones too! Years ago when they first came out I know that they "darkened" over time... that's what kept me from getting them. I wonder if they've advanced the technology enough that they don't darken up...

This continues to be a problem, at least with the glass ones I buy. I've been told that you can put them in the freezer overnight and it will "reset" them, but you have to be very careful when removing them the next morning to make sure you don't break the frames.

The only real problem this has caused for me is that it makes it harder to read the newspaper in low light when I really needed stronger bifocals.

Sheila

 

[poohj80]

Another option besides having transition lenses or two pair of prescription glasses is to get a pair that comes with the magnetic darker lenses. I have a pair and they are great! Yes, you have to carry the clip-on sunglass part with you but it's much better than having two separate pair and MUCH more stylish than normal clip-ons.

Also, anyone who works for the federal govt (don't know about state govt) gets up to 50% off at Lenscrafters. We got DH some Rayban sunglasses and had presciption lenses put in for less than $100 total.

 

[dizneenut]

I had transitions a few years ago and they just didn't get dark enough. I have prescription polarized sunglasses now and they are wonderful. I do hate having to swap them out all the time, though. I am trying to get used to my contacts again so I don't have to always switch my glasses out.