Sunglasses

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?

  • I too have a problem with lights, and I always wear shades outdoors. I also wear them in supermarkets because their lights can be glaring. I think it's a good plan for everyone to wear them outdoors as the UV light from the sun can damage the macular at the back of the eye which can lead to serious ere problems in later life. https://www.macularsociety.org/sun-protection

    It's also a good idea to wear them when exercising outdoors, especially cycling, as they offer some protection from things that might cause eye injury. 

  • I often wear my sunglasses indoors. Occasionally people comment on it but I just say "My eyes are sensitive to bright lights," and people are always happy to accept that.

    I would recommend you find a small independent opticians rather than a large chain. They tend to be a lot quieter and have more time to spend with you if you need extra time, for example when booking an appointment. It may help to explain that you are uncomfortable with strangers and unfamiliar places.

  • Hi California, I wear sunglasses all the time when driving (except at night although I do struggle with car headlights).  I also wear them most times when outdoors as the light can affect me on a cloudy day.  Best part is, my sunglasses were super cheap - £1.50 from a bargain shop.  I don't need prescription sunglasses, but I know an optician can help with this if you do need specialist lenses. 

    Luckily interior lighting is improving so I don't usually wear them indoors, although people still insist on fitting those god awful spotlights, which give off so much glare!  I find these terrible to be around along with lights that flicker, such as fluorescent lighting.

  • My partner has light sensitivity secondary to measles ass kid. As well as wrap around glasses he wears a lot of the time he always wears a baseball cap outside and in badly lit inside areas.

    It sucks but assessment for first glasses should be done via an optometrist. But ask for the prescription and buy online. Many optometrists are good at understanding photosensitivity

  • 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!

  • I can recommend 'Glasses Direct' they do a virtual fitting service too. 

  • 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. 

  • 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.

  • 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.