Heading to the Beach this Summer? The Best Eyewear Options for Those Who Need Prescription Glasses
Figuring out the best beach eyewear options can be stressful, and getting it right (or not) can significantly impact our much-anticipated vacation. Should you splash out a dedicated pair of prescription sunglasses for your trip or opt for a single pair of transition lenses? Or would contact lenses be an all-around more convenient option? Stress no more, as we’ve got all the information you need to choose below.
Prescription Sunglasses
Whereas not so long ago, there was a minimal choice of prescription sunglasses available, now, many high street and designer shades can be quickly and easily fitted with corrective lenses, so there’s no need for your prescription to get in the way of your style.
For most wearers of eyeglasses, prescription sunglasses are the best choice for the beach, providing the clearest vision possible and a choice of tints or polarization options so that you can get the very best eyewear for your needs.
Prescription sunglasses are available for virtually all prescriptions, even extreme ones, and the lenses can usually be thinned if necessary to help them fit as well as possible into the chosen frames. A major bonus of this option is that you get – with the right pair of shades – protection from the sun’s harmful UVA and UVB rays while relaxing on the beach.
When thinking about your options, remember that larger styles provide more coverage, hence more protection for both your eyes and the delicate skin around them. It’s best to avoid particularly small or ‘micro’ styles for this reason, whether or not they happen to be trending.
Photochromatic Lens Options
One of the beauties of prescription sunglasses is that you have a variety of lens options available to you. Choose the tint color that suits your style, or add polarization to increase clarity.
Alternatively, you could opt for prescription glasses incorporating photochromic lenses (also known as transition lenses), a tint that automatically darkens in sunlight, making them potentially perfect for the beach – although check that the UVA and UVB protection they offer is adequate.
Fans of this sort of eyewear love the convenience they provide – only one pair of eyeglasses are required, rather than two – and, by association, their cost-effective nature. Be aware, however, if you’ll be driving to and from the beach, that some transition lenses are less effective behind a windshield, and the transition time can be longer than you’d expect, especially in less sunny weather.
How About Contact Lenses?
Even if you usually wear contact lenses, having a backup pair of prescription eyeglasses in your beach bag is a good idea. If your eyes become dry, tired, or irritated (by a pesky grain of sand flying into your eye, for example), you can switch to your shades – while still seeing well enough to read your book.
It’s also essential for contact wearers to remember that swimming in your lenses is not recommended – there’s a chance that this could lead to a nasty eye infection. If you have no option but to wear your contact lenses in the water, then wear a pair of tight-fitting goggles for protection from nasties.
There are a few tips to consider if you’ll wear your contact lenses to the beach. Be aware that without a regular pair of shades, your eyes will not be protected from the sun’s harmful rays. The heat, too, may cause your eyes to dry out more than usual, so it’s important to keep your contact lens supplies in your beach bag so that you can remove your lenses or reapply wetting drops as necessary. And take extra care to stay hydrated – which your eyes will thank you for every bit as much as the rest of your body.
Hottest Sunglass Styles of 2023
So now we’ve talked about lens options; how about the hottest sunglasses trends in 2023? This year’s all about bold, fun styles and oversized, colorful frames. Tinted lenses and a seventies vibe are where it’s at. Inflated frames were the most significant news at London Fashion Week earlier this year, in bright yellows and bold reds. This style takes some confidence, but those willing to try it will undoubtedly turn heads. And if you like the frame shape but aren’t keen on the eye-popping colors? Dior’s collection currently features inflated frame shades in black.
Regarding tinted lenses, reds, oranges, and yellows are the most on-trend options and embody that seventies look we mentioned. Gigi Hadid, Victoria Beckham, and Hailey Bieber are just a few fashion-forward celebs recently spotted sporting tinted sunnies in these shades. They’re a great way to add color and personality to your eyewear look.
Ethical eyewear options are taking over the catwalk and the high street, with more buyers opting for shades made from recycled materials and using sustainable practices. If this is important to you, check the brand’s websites – those with rock-solid enviro-credentials will be keen to tell you all about them.
Finally, futuristic-look sunglasses dominate the beach, and the trend shows no sign of slowing. Visors and wraparound sports glasses are extremely popular for those wanting to rock this fashion.
Final Thoughts: Best Eyeglasses for the Beach
If you’re planning a beach vacation, thinking ahead to the eyewear you’ll need to pack can save you time and hassle once you arrive. While prescription sunglasses are generally a great choice, you may also want to consider transition lenses, especially if you’re looking for eyewear specifically for the beach that you won’t need to use for driving.
Whichever option you choose, a wide range of styles and designs are available that your prescription will only uplevel your holiday beach look!
Heading to the Beach this Summer? The Best Eyewear Options for Those Who Need Prescription Glasses
Figuring out the best beach eyewear options can be stressful, and getting it right (or not) can significantly impact our much-anticipated vacation. Should you splash out a dedicated pair of prescription sunglasses for your trip or opt for a single pair of transition lenses? Or would contact lenses be an all-around more convenient option? Stress no more, as we’ve got all the information you need to choose below.
Prescription Sunglasses
Whereas not so long ago, there was a minimal choice of prescription sunglasses available, now, many high street and designer shades can be quickly and easily fitted with corrective lenses, so there’s no need for your prescription to get in the way of your style.
For most wearers of eyeglasses, prescription sunglasses are the best choice for the beach, providing the clearest vision possible and a choice of tints or polarization options so that you can get the very best eyewear for your needs.
Prescription sunglasses are available for virtually all prescriptions, even extreme ones, and the lenses can usually be thinned if necessary to help them fit as well as possible into the chosen frames. A major bonus of this option is that you get – with the right pair of shades – protection from the sun’s harmful UVA and UVB rays while relaxing on the beach.
When thinking about your options, remember that larger styles provide more coverage, hence more protection for both your eyes and the delicate skin around them. It’s best to avoid particularly small or ‘micro’ styles for this reason, whether or not they happen to be trending.
Photochromatic Lens Options
One of the beauties of prescription sunglasses is that you have a variety of lens options available to you. Choose the tint color that suits your style, or add polarization to increase clarity.
Alternatively, you could opt for prescription glasses incorporating photochromic lenses (also known as transition lenses), a tint that automatically darkens in sunlight, making them potentially perfect for the beach – although check that the UVA and UVB protection they offer is adequate.
Fans of this sort of eyewear love the convenience they provide – only one pair of eyeglasses are required, rather than two – and, by association, their cost-effective nature. Be aware, however, if you’ll be driving to and from the beach, that some transition lenses are less effective behind a windshield, and the transition time can be longer than you’d expect, especially in less sunny weather.
How About Contact Lenses?
Even if you usually wear contact lenses, having a backup pair of prescription eyeglasses in your beach bag is a good idea. If your eyes become dry, tired, or irritated (by a pesky grain of sand flying into your eye, for example), you can switch to your shades – while still seeing well enough to read your book.
It’s also essential for contact wearers to remember that swimming in your lenses is not recommended – there’s a chance that this could lead to a nasty eye infection. If you have no option but to wear your contact lenses in the water, then wear a pair of tight-fitting goggles for protection from nasties.
There are a few tips to consider if you’ll wear your contact lenses to the beach. Be aware that without a regular pair of shades, your eyes will not be protected from the sun’s harmful rays. The heat, too, may cause your eyes to dry out more than usual, so it’s important to keep your contact lens supplies in your beach bag so that you can remove your lenses or reapply wetting drops as necessary. And take extra care to stay hydrated – which your eyes will thank you for every bit as much as the rest of your body.
Hottest Sunglass Styles of 2023
So now we’ve talked about lens options; how about the hottest sunglasses trends in 2023? This year’s all about bold, fun styles and oversized, colorful frames. Tinted lenses and a seventies vibe are where it’s at. Inflated frames were the most significant news at London Fashion Week earlier this year, in bright yellows and bold reds. This style takes some confidence, but those willing to try it will undoubtedly turn heads. And if you like the frame shape but aren’t keen on the eye-popping colors? Dior’s collection currently features inflated frame shades in black.
Regarding tinted lenses, reds, oranges, and yellows are the most on-trend options and embody that seventies look we mentioned. Gigi Hadid, Victoria Beckham, and Hailey Bieber are just a few fashion-forward celebs recently spotted sporting tinted sunnies in these shades. They’re a great way to add color and personality to your eyewear look.
Ethical eyewear options are taking over the catwalk and the high street, with more buyers opting for shades made from recycled materials and using sustainable practices. If this is important to you, check the brand’s websites – those with rock-solid enviro-credentials will be keen to tell you all about them.
Finally, futuristic-look sunglasses dominate the beach, and the trend shows no sign of slowing. Visors and wraparound sports glasses are extremely popular for those wanting to rock this fashion.
Final Thoughts: Best Eyeglasses for the Beach
If you’re planning a beach vacation, thinking ahead to the eyewear you’ll need to pack can save you time and hassle once you arrive. While prescription sunglasses are generally a great choice, you may also want to consider transition lenses, especially if you’re looking for eyewear specifically for the beach that you won’t need to use for driving.
Whichever option you choose, a wide range of styles and designs are available that your prescription will only uplevel your holiday beach look!
