Published on 12, July, 2020
As I recently discovered that I am autistic and lights have always been a problem for me, I would like to get sunglasses and wear them everywhere.
Do you wear sunglasses indoors?
Where would be the best place to get them? I do not like shops and meet strangers, so the best way would be online.
If, I buy them online how can I know that they will fit me?
Hi California,
I wear glasses all the time (varifocals), so I have transition lenses that darken naturally in the light. They're a pain when I come from the light to the shade, though, because they take a while to return to normal. I'd suggest maybe speaking to an optician about special glasses - that's if you want to spend a bit more money - or maybe speak to your GP. I don't know - maybe you could get something prescribed if you're light-sensitive.
Some websites for glasses companies have a facility where you can upload a passport photo and 'try' various glasses on - but that's more for style rather than fit. To be honest, I've never had a problem with fit with any bog-standard sunglasses I've bought. Many of the better quality ones are adjustable, too. Maybe just buy a cheap pair online first to see how you get on. You can always grade up.
Thank you very much, Martian Tom, for the information and the advice!
I did not know that there are transition lenses that darken naturally in the light.
When I asked my GP about noise cancelling headphones, said that they cannot prescribe them and I should look around myself.
Can GPs prescribe sunglasses? I would prefer special glasses but I cannot really afford them as they cost hundreds of pounds.
I'm not sure about prescribing glasses - it was just a thought. But if someone is severely debilitated with a condition such as hypersensitivity, it might be worth a look. As you say, though - probably not.
You might be able to get plain transition lenses - that's if you don't normally need glasses. They are expensive, though, as you say. Mine came to just over £300 - but then the frames were about £100 of that, and you could get cheaper frames. Also, my lenses are varifocals - for distance, mid-range and close (reading), so they're not cheap. Plain glasses would be cheaper. I'd probably just go for a pair that look like ordinary glasses rather than beach glasses - except darkened. The more you pay, the better the lenses will be at filtering out harmful UV rays, too.
Here's some info from the Royal National Institute for the Blind. Partially-sighted people may be extremely light-sensitive. Also, people with glaucoma. It might help...
http://www.rnib.org.uk/5-steps-getting-right-sunglasses-light-sensitivity
Thank you very much for this valuable information!