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.
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'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.