I found out today that I have an astigmatism and need glasses. My left eye isn't bad at all so my optometrist recommended glasses rather than contacts. Anyway I am trying to figure out if I should get a set a clear lenses and a separate set of prescription sunglasses or if I should get a single pair of glasses with transition lenses (the kind that go from clear to tinted based on UV rays).

As much as I hate the thought of glasses I'm glad I can finally get rid of the headaches I've been getting lately.

 

I've never had or worn transition lenses. Just this past winter I got my second pair of glasses. I got a pair when I first found out I needed them in 5th grade and then wore contacts from the 7th grade until I was 22 without ever using glasses. I only wear my glasses in the afternoon or when I'm not going anywhere. I don't like to drive in them, plus I don't have perscription sunglasses.

Honestly, I'd try the transition lenses. My Dad has seperate sets of prescription glasses and sunglasses and it seems to be a hassel. Plus if you go somewhere in them what do you do, wear sunglasses inside, bring your regular lenses with you. Sounds like a PITB. If you can wear contacts you need to have a set of glasses and contacts. I went so long without having glasses and really enjoy being able to take my contacts out after wearing them all day and still be able to see in the afternoon, or earling in the morning before I put in my contacts.

 

The thing that really turned me away from the transition lenses is that ,from what I was told, they won't activate while you're driving. Something about the windshield blocks the UV rays that would activate the lens. I always use sunglasses while I drive so I might end up needing two pairs even if I paid the extra money for the transition lenses. This **** is so confusing LOL

My left eye is not perfect but my Doc said they don't make contacts for that minor an improvement.

 

I only wear mine like if at night, since they have a glare protection to them so it helps with on coming traffic headlights and when it rains.

My dad had the transition ones yrs ago, and would drive him nuts...

 

I just went through the same thing as you last year. My whole life never wearing glasses but started getting headaches and it my right eye. I just use sunglasses when I'm out and about and just keep my glasses with me but they have some oakley glasses that are prescription that have interchangeable clear and tinted lenses that are the bees knees.

 

I wore glasses to drive from 2008-this march. I hated it, now I wear contacts. Much nicer IMO.

 

this is true because ive had them before and also as the glasses get older they tend to get air bubbles in between the lense and the tint

i just stuck with regular lenses, all these other "special lenses" are too damn expensive and not worth it because something always ends up happening to them

 

This is funny. I just found out i needed them about a week ago, and got my glasses yesterday.

 

Same here, the glare really bothers me. I had a pair of the transition ones about 20 years ago and they were very very slow to change and the darkness was'nt dark enough. They may have gotten better over the years. IDK

 

I've worn glasses for 23 years. I have an astigmatism in my left eye that I've probably had for years but didn't know about until last year. I was told that it wasn't bad and that's probably why it was never mentioned before. This is when I got my first pair of transitions lenses in a titanium semi-rimless Ray-Ban frames with the plastic covered arms. Most comfortable glasses I have ever owned.
The transitions darken up quicker than they lighten. I have the grey shade which is darker than the brown. It takes about a minute for mine to totally darken and several minutes for them to lighten up. No, they aren't as dark as the sunglasses that I wear with my contacts but they are so much better than nothing at all which I am far too used to having. I did notice that what you said about the lense not activating through the windshield is correct. I stuck them outside the window for a minute then put them back on. If you mainly only want them for driving then you should probably get prescription sunglasses and keep them in your car because it is a pain in the *** to haul around two sets of glasses.
If you really want something dark and don't mind shelling out the extra money for a second pair of prescription sunglasses, then go ahead but, my glasses cost almost $700 and my insurance only covers one pair at a time OR one set of contacts. Only one pair for me. That's why I loaded them with every feature offered.
If you want to stick with contacts, try the Acuvue Oasis for astigmatism. I have always had problems with contacts but these things feel like there's nothing there at all. I was given another type of lens as well that was a tiny amount clearer than the Oasis on that one eye but, like I said, the comfort level was the best I've ever felt with the Acuvue.

 

Transitions are teh gayness. They take forever to adjust, don't work inside of cars or even when you get under a tree or something they start to change back.

I say just get contacts and **** glasses all together. I hated my glasses, and I was in the same boat as you. Just astigmatism in one eye, and not really in the other. But my other eye is bad otherwise.

 

Wow, I didn't expect to get this much of a response. Thanks for all the input guys. I have decided to get just a regular set of glasses for now and I'll probably get a nice set of prescription sunglasses in a few months if I need them. I am getting a pair of TiFlex (damn near indestructible) frames with polycarbonate lenses. I figure this is the most durable setup I can get. I will probably have to get the sunglasses though because I do a lot of driving for my job.

As for the few comments about contacts, I wish I could get them. From what I understand I they don't make contacts for how minor a correction my left eye needs. My optometrist said if it gets worse later then I could get contacts but that glasses were definitely the way to go for now.