Time for me to get new prescription sunglasses for fishing. I have had cataract surgery in both eyes done a couple of years ago. What is your favorite brand? Pros and cons of them? Thanks for information. Paul
Hi Paul. Welcome to the forum. A lot of knowledgeable, passionate, nice people.
Unsure about providing an answer to your question. In Canada, prescription sunglasses are typically two separate units - frames and lens. Also, both are totally personal preference. I typically get prescription lens placed into Ray-Bans.
Good luck on your hunt.
Jason
I have been using “Drivewear” by “Transitions” polarized photochromic (amber-copper-brown) progressive lenses for at least 15 years. They also work real well for driving; go figure 
. I do find it amazing how much glare there is in rain that the amber polarized lens removes and improves contrast in flat light on cloudy days.
They are sunglasses and do not lighten as much as I want for photochromic indoor-outdoor daily wear.
I put them in relatively flat (to avoid spherical aberration) titanium (durable-rugged) frames that last many-many years and just get the lenses replaced whenever my prescription changes. Up until about 5 years ago insurance would typically fully cover a pair of daily wear and new sunglasses lens replacements. VSP just prior to retirement, and now Medicare Advantage has nixed that.
They darken to both UV and visible light so they darken behind UV treated windshields.
I have presbyopia, and get progressive lenses. I tell my optician I fly fish and need to be able to focus at about 8" to thread flies onto gossamer tippet.
I used Smith’s photochromic prescription sunglasses in the distant past and the fact Drivewear darkened to visible light back then and the amber-copper-brown tint progression prompted me to switch. I haven’t compared them to Costa’s so I don’t know if spending the big bucks makes a difference.
No real cons I can think of.
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I use Oakley progressives. Metal frames, mirrored finish with their polarized coating. They’re expensive even with my vision insurance but they get the job done very well and take an absolute beating. Great for fishing, too.
Hello @Lengepam and welcome to the forum. Thanks for joining us.
Personally, I use zennioptical.com for all of my glasses. If you know your Pupillary Distance (PD) and can transcribe from your optometrist’s prescription, you won’t have a problem. My partner and I have been buying from them for a decade and never once had a problem.
I have a pair of prescription sunglasses from them that I love and they compare to many name brands out there. A few points:
- They are sunglasses
- They are polarized
- They have UV/blue light protection
- They are mirrored
- They have an oliophobic & hydrophobic coating on the lenses
I paid $72 for them. Yes, that cost included the lenses and frames. They only minor downside, they take 2-3 weeks to arrive. Honestly, I tell everyone I know to buy their glasses from Zenni Optical. In ten years and probably 60 pairs of glasses (that’s both my partner and me) we have only had a problem once and it was completely my fault. Customer service is great, website is easy to use, and they have thousands of pairs to choose from. Last but not least, you don’t have to only pick a pair from the “sunglasses” category. Because of how they have it setup, you can turn any pair into sunglasses. I also nearly forgot, you can buy sunglasses from them without a prescription.
I can buy 4 or 5 pairs from them for the price of a Costa or Smith or Oakley. At least for me, it’s a lot easier pill to swallow losing a $75 pair of glasses than a $250 pair.
Hope this helps.