Given certain misconceptions around – and resistance to – prescription sunwear, it’s important to convey the advantages of prescription sunglasses to your patients.

 

The six most common objections to prescription sunglasses:

 

• Cost: The extra expense of a second pair of glasses may cause hesitation. Overcoming objections to Rx sunwear is simple when you reframe the value for the patient. A $400 pair worn for two years costs just 55 cents a day, which is an affordable investment in eye health and comfort.
• Luxury: Patients may see Rx sunwear as a luxury. However, many who “treat themselves” to prescription sunglasses ask their ECP, “Why didn’t you recommend this sooner?”
• Style: Patients may perceive the style of regular sunglasses as more fashionable than prescription sunglasses. This is why it’s again important to emphasize that patients can choose any frame style for their prescription lenses, and not just more expensive designer options (keeping in mind that larger frames offer added skin protection).
• Inconvenience: Carrying two pairs of glasses and switching them may be a hassle.
• Prescription changes: Patients may be hesitant to invest in prescription sunglasses if they have a rapidly changing prescription.
• Limited use: Patients likely spend more time inside than outside. So, they may be reluctant to buy a separate pair of glasses.
• Forgetfulness: Some patients may worry that they may not remember to bring their prescription sunglasses with them when they need them.

 

Sunglasses are a staple accessory for most people, especially during the summer months. Not only do they protect our eyes from the bright sunlight, but they also add a stylish touch. 

 

However, if your patients wear prescription eyeglasses, regular sunglasses do not correct vision problems, which can be a safety issue when driving or engaging in other activities that require clear vision.

 

This is where prescription sunglasses come in. They combine the benefits of regular sunglasses with the vision correction of prescription eyeglasses, making them an essential accessory for anyone with a vision problem. And as for patients concerned about style, they may not be aware of the advances in photochromic lenses, which is a solution you might also choose to introduce to them. In this blog post, we will explore the benefits and variety of HOYA’s prescription sunwear products to enable you as an eye care practitioner (ECP) to explain to your patients why a multi-pair solution is worth the investment.

 

Need a little help starting the conversation? Here’s how to communicate the value of prescription sunwear to your patients.

Benefits of prescription sunglasses

1. Disease prevention

Most patients aren’t aware that the sun can harm the eyes and the skin around the eyes. Use research to educate them during their visit. For example, the National Eye Institute has shown that UV rays can increase the risk of cataracts, and up to 20% of cataracts may be caused by overexposure to UV rays, according to the World Health Organization. 

 

2. Safety

Sunglasses protect the eyes and surrounding sensitive skin against sun damage and other elements when outdoors. Sunglasses guard against harsh wind, dust, sand, and other airborne debris that irritate the eyes or could scratch the cornea. 

Make this point with your patients: when the eyes are protected and you’re seeing at your best, you’re also protecting others. For example: when driving with polarized lenses, your reaction time is noticeably faster than when not wearing sunglasses. Sunwear reduces glare and keeps you safe when navigating situations that require full attention, such as driving or riding a bike.

 

3. Less strain, fewer headaches

Your patients probably know about the term “blue light” as it relates to working in front of a screen for hours a day — and that it can cause digital eye strain and several other symptoms, such as headaches, tired or burning eyes, and more.  

Your patients may not know that the number one source of blue light is the sun, and in fact, 15 minutes in the sun equals 12 hours in front of a screen¹. An estimated 25% to 30% of sunlight consists of solar blue light rays, so you can make an impression on your patients with this info while diving into the harm of solar blue light exposure. 

 

4. Improved dark adaptation

Sunglasses increase visual clarity by blocking UV rays and reducing glare during the day. They can also have a positive impact on sight at night.

According to the American Optometric Association (AOA), studies have shown that daytime exposure to ordinary sunlight can produce temporary but cumulative aftereffects on dark adaptation and night vision. In addition to daytime benefits of sunglasses, your patients should know that high-quality polarized sunglasses can also help reduce night vision loss.

 

5. A better outdoor experience, year-round

Non-wearers often rely on compensatory behaviors (some extreme) when outdoors. Through discovery, you may find that your patients squint, wear non-prescription sunglasses, or avoid the sun completely. Prescription sun lens users have a better outdoor experience – even in winter. They enjoy the comfort, clarity, protection, and emotional freedom that comes with prescription sunglasses or photochromic lenses. 

 

Helping your patient choose prescription sunglasses

Prescription sunwear is the best eye health solution to protect the eyes, eyelids, and skin around the eyes from sun-related damage. With so many advancements in lens technology over the last decade, patients should strongly consider revisiting the benefits of prescription sunglasses.

HOYA Polarized Lenses with Lumacore™ Mirrors

Experience unmatched cleanability and durability with HOYA Polarized Lenses with Lumacore™ mirrors. Traditional mirror coatings sit on top of the lens, and are more likely to scratch, peel, or wear off over time. That's why the first-to-market Lumacore™ embeds the mirror inside the lens for longer-lasting, more durable performance that's strong enough for everyday use.

• Embedded mirror technology 
• Long-lasting performance
• Scratch and peel resistant
• Enhanced clarity reduces glare, boosts comfort, and keeps vision sharp

 

HOYA Polarized HEV™

Polarized sunglass lenses that are darker than standard lenses and better for light-sensitive patients, HOYA Polarized HEV™ lenses filter out up to 97% of blue light.

 

• Improves contrast for better visibility
• Offers superior impact resistance 
• Available in impact-resistant material

 

HOYA Polarized Sun Lenses

Enjoy more time by the pool, in the mountains, or at the beach with HOYA’s Polarized Sun lenses.

 

• Three fashion-forward colors
• Available in a wide range of designs including iD Lifestyle 3 Sun
• Available with new HOYA mirror coatings
• Available for all ages

 

With HOYA’s polarized lenses, blinding reflections and visual discomfort are no longer an issue. Reduced glare and enhanced contrast offer improved visual performance, comfort, and protection.

 

HOYA Mirror Coating

Optimal sun protection reflects the light away from the lens surface.

 

• Offers optimal sun protection by reflecting light away from the lens surface
• Reduces discomfort and eye strain caused by glare
• Features a fashionable mirror finish

 

Available in both prescription and non-prescription, HOYA’s Mirrored lenses can now be part of the wearer’s personal lifestyle, accessorizing their everyday look and protecting against the sun’s harmful UV rays.

The full Sensity® family 

As an ECP, your core responsibility is the health and protection of your patient’s eyes against UV light. And with about 66% of patients claiming they have severe or moderate light sensitivity, you have an opportunity to address this issue directly.

 

By actively prescribing photochromic lenses, you can differentiate your practice from the commoditized clear lens market.

 

As you’re talking to your patients about sun damage and UV eye protection, key in on the benefits of the Sensity® family, such as the faster fadeback that HOYA provides patients.

 

Sensity® 2

Sensity® 2 provides all-day comfort for light-sensitive eyes, no matter the climate, season, or lifestyle. 

 

• Best balance of fadeback speed and darkness for most patients
• Darkens to a dark category 3 sun tint
• Extremely clear indoors
• 100% UV protection in all light
• Consistent, cross-climate performance
• Indoor and outdoor blue light protection 
• Excellent glare reduction 

  

​​

Sensity® Fast

Sensity® Fast is our fastest light-adaptive lens, rapidly fading back from dark to clear. It is now available in an expanding range of HOYA lens designs, including iD LifeStyle® 4, iD Single Vision®, and iD MyStyle® 3.

 

• Best balance of fadeback speed and darkness for most patients
• Darkens to a dark category 2 sun tint 
• Extremely clear indoors

 

Sensity® Fast greatly reduces the awkward in-between period that most other lenses have for a seamless experience moving from outdoors to indoors.

 

Sensity® Dark

Sensity® Dark lenses are engineered for outdoor activities and driving – ideal for an active lifestyle.

 

• Best for the most light-sensitive patients
• Our darkest Sensity lenses outdoors
• Lenses darken behind most car windshields
• Slight tint indoors for those sensitive to indoor light

 

Sensity® Dark lenses deliver extra darkness outside and behind the car window, offering the performance your patients require in their outdoor activities. Indoors, they quickly fade back again to exceptionally clear lenses.

 

Sensity® Shine

Sensity® Shine combines comfort, convenience, and fashion with a mirror coating on a photochromic lens.

 

• For wearers who want a fashionable mirror lens
• Fades back quickly to an attractive mirror shine indoors
• Lenses darken behind most car windshields

Sensity® Shine lenses give your customers an exclusive look thanks to a mirror coating that is more intense in the light yet subtle when indoors. Sensity Shine lenses also deliver extra darkness when outdoors.

Additional tips for the patient conversation

Start with your questionnaire or ask questions mid-exam.  

 

Getting the conversation started is often the hardest part for eye care providers. Add questions to your intake form to help initiate the conversation. Focus on family history, time spent outdoors, and time driving. Another tip: ask them to bring their prescription sunglasses to the exam during scheduling or when confirming their appointment.

 

If you don’t have a patient questionnaire, your second opportunity is during the slit lamp part of the exam. You’ll start to pick up on changes in the anatomy of the eye, including early signs of UV damage, which is a good moment to talk about the sun. This presents a natural segue into the topic of prescription sunwear and photochromic lenses, rather than feeling like a hard sell.

 

Talk about eye anatomy

You’re the eye health expert. To help your patients understand the danger of sun damage, start by breaking down the major structures of the eye, and use visual aids. Follow up with a brief explanation of how the sun can inflict damage on those parts specifically, from the eyelids, the skin around the eyes, and the front surface of the eye to the lens and retina.

 

Stay conversational 

As you discuss the importance of prescription sun lenses with your patients, keep it conversational and educational. Show concern and care rather than being too assertive or authoritative. This makes patients more comfortable opening up about their barriers to sun lenses. 

 

Put pricing into perspective  

People believe that prescription sun lenses are expensive and worry that they might invest in glasses that will get lost or broken. Help patients save by using insurance, maximizing benefits, and utilizing FSAs or BOGO half-off deals. Inform patients that because of the higher value, most people take better care of prescription sunglasses.

 

Keep the conversation going beyond sun season

Sunglasses and photochromic lenses can benefit your patients and your practice all year long. Use these tips and benefit breakdowns to offer your patients value and safety throughout the seasons.

 

For more information about products that qualify for Visionary Alliance™ points, contact your HOYA Sales Consultant.