Non-prescription sunglasses: What to know before you buy

What are non-prescription sunglasses?

Everybody loves wearing sunglasses — and most people choose non-prescription shades. Non-prescription means these sunglasses have lenses without vision correction.

Non-prescription sunglasses are sold almost everywhere. You can find them at doctors’ offices, high-end boutiques and even gas stations. Prices can range from very affordable to quite expensive. It depends on features, materials and whether they are generic or designer sunglasses.

Non-prescription sunglasses are more than fashion accessories. They protect your eyes from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays, which can cause major damage to your eyes. Choices of non-prescription sunglass frames and lenses are nearly limitless.

What are “plano” sunglasses?

Non-prescription sunglasses are sometimes also called “plano” sunglasses. Plano sunglasses do not contain lens powers. They’re not designed to correct near or distant vision problems. 

You don’t need a prescription from an eye doctor to buy this type of sunglass lens. You can buy them over the counter from countless retailers.

Non-prescription sunglasses when you need vision correction

If you have nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism, you likely need vision correction. Many people with one of these refractive errors choose to correct them with contact lenses. And they wear non-prescription sunglasses with their contacts.

An alternative to the contact lens-plano sunglasses combo is to wear prescription sunglasses. 

Have a pair of non-prescription sunglasses that you love? There’s a good chance your eye care professional can replace the lenses with prescription lenses of the same color.

Some people get LASIK or other vision surgery to correct a refractive error. With surgically corrected vision, you can wear non-prescription sunglasses without having to think about it.

Essential features for your sunglasses

It doesn’t matter where you choose to buy non-prescription sunglasses. But it’s important to only buy sunglasses that block 100% of the sun’s harmful UV rays. You can confirm this with the label of your sunglasses, which should state one of the following:

• 100% UV protection (both UV-A and UV-B rays)
• UV400 or UV absorption up to 400nm

The amount of UV protection has nothing to do with the color or darkness of the lens tint. A darker lens doesn’t guarantee UV protection. It’s the lens material and coatings on sunglass lenses that block UV rays.

Overexposure to UV rays can lead to serious eye problems over time. This can include permanent damage to the front surface of the eye (cornea). It can also include cataracts and certain cancers. 

What if your eyewear says “not for use as sunglasses”?

Eyewear that states it is “not for use as sunglasses” means that it does not have proper UV protection. This warning may appear on costume or 3D glasses, among other types. Remember that just because a lens is dark, it doesn’t mean it has UV protection.

Don’t rely on your eyewear to protect you from the sun’s harmful rays unless it’s labeled as such. Without this essential feature, you can damage the inner structure of your eyes. You can damage the front surface and the skin around the eyes, too.

Lens enhancements

For more comfort in non-prescription sunglasses, try an anti-reflective coating. This will cut glare from bright light reflecting off the back of the lenses.

Another option is to purchase glasses with photochromic lenses. These lenses are clear indoors and automatically darken outdoors in sunlight. However, most photochromic lenses will not darken in the car well enough to function as true sunglasses. Ask your optician to show you a demo of these sun-activated tinted lenses.

For optimal protection from glare caused by light reflections, consider polarized lenses. These lenses have a special filter in the lens material that eliminates bright reflections of light. Water, snow, wet roads, car windshields and many other surfaces can produce these bright reflections.

Polarized lenses reduce eye strain outdoors. They’re especially beneficial for seeing beneath the surface of water if you boat or fish. But polarized lenses don’t always have built-in UV protection. Be sure to verify this before buying and wearing them.

Does insurance ever cover non-prescription sunglasses?

In most cases, vision insurance does not cover non-prescription eyewear. Vision insurance mainly covers eyewear used for vision correction. 

You may be able to use your vision insurance for prescription sunglasses. It all depends on your plan. Contact your insurance provider for more information.

Consider having an eye exam first

Before purchasing non-prescription sunglasses, schedule an eye exam with an eye doctor near you. Your eye care professional can assess any vision problems you may have. They can also guide you through decision-making for any type of eyewear.

You may see well without an eye prescription. But you might be able to see even better with prescription sunglasses. Only your eye doctor can inform you after having a comprehensive eye exam.

READ NEXT: Non-prescription glasses: What to know before buying them