Prescription sunglasses

Prescription sunglasses combine vision correction with full UV protection, giving you clearer sight and safer eyes when you're outdoors. Whether you're driving, walking, enjoying a sunny holiday, or simply spending time outside, these lenses are tailored to your exact prescription while keeping your eyes shielded from harmful rays.

Having the right pair of prescription sunglasses isn’t just about style, it’s an essential part of protecting your long-term eye health. Ready to get started? Book your eye test today to make sure your prescription is up-to-date.

Book an appointmentFind a Leightons branch

Why choose prescription sunglasses?

Standard sunglasses may look the part, but if you wear prescription glasses, they won’t correct your vision. Prescription sunglasses offer both vision correction and sun protection in one easy pair.

Wearing prescription sunglasses can improve your quality of life significantly. Here's all the benefits of wearing prescription sunglasses:

UV protection

100% protection from UVA and UVB rays, which can contribute to cataracts and other eye conditions.

Glare reduction

Polarised options reduce glare from reflective surfaces like roads, water, and snow.

Comfort & clarity

Prevents eye strain, watering, and discomfort caused by squinting in sunlight.

Customisation

Tailor your lenses with tints, mirror coatings, or transitions to suit your needs.

All-day use

Ideal for walking, working outdoors, and driving, especially during long summer days.

Who should wear prescription sunglasses?

Prescription sunglasses are ideal for anyone who needs vision correction, such as those with nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism, and wants clear, comfortable vision outdoors. They are especially recommended for:

  • Individuals with light sensitivity, who benefit from reduced glare and enhanced comfort in bright conditions.
  • Drivers, holidaymakers, and outdoor enthusiasts
  • Children, since protecting young eyes from harmful UV rays is crucial for long-term eye health.

For those who do not require vision correction, wearing regular sunglasses with 100% UV protection is equally important to safeguard your eyes from harmful sun damage.

Update my prescription

How much do prescription sunglasses cost?

The cost of prescription sunglasses depends on the frame, lens type, and any added features.

At Leightons, prices start from just £159 with our exclusive Yesterday. Today. Tomorrow (Y.T.T.) collection. This includes both the frame and prescription lenses with UV protection as standard. Non-prescription sunglasses from the same collection are available from £99.

For those after designer options, we offer brands like Ray-Ban, Oakley, and Maui Jim. Prices may vary based on your frame choice and optional upgrades such as polarised lenses, and specialist coatings

For a personalised quote, simply ask your optician during your appointment.

Browse all our designer brands
Blackfin Glasses LogoBlackfin Glasses Logo
Blackfin Glasses LogoBlackfin Glasses Logo

Kids sunglasses

Children’s prescription sunglasses are essential for protecting young eyes from harmful UV rays. At Leightons, we offer a wide range of kid-friendly brands, including Mr Men & Little Miss, Lazer Junior, Nike Kids, and Charles Stone New York.

Prescription sunglasses may be free with an NHS voucher, depending on your child’s eligibility.

To get the whole family summer-ready, book eye tests for everyone. This ensures you all benefit from up-to-date prescriptions, expert guidance, and a broad choice of frames and lenses.

Book a style consultation
Close-up of modern black sunglasses with a sleek design.
Stylized purple heart shape with a loop design at the bottom.
See Now, Pay Later payment plan
Looking for some sunglasses with that extra wow factor but without the expense all in one go? Spread the cost of your purchase over 10 monthly payments with 0% interest and only a 10% deposit.
More about See Now, Pay Later
A pair of stylish Oakley sunglasses with brown lenses and unique frame design.
Save 20% off your glasses with MyLeightons
With the MyLeightons Care Plan, you’ll enjoy regular eye examinations to keep your prescription up to date, exclusive discounts on glasses, lenses and accessories, and breakage cover.
Discover all the benefits of MyLeightons

Why choose prescription sunglasses from Leightons?

At Leightons, we believe sunglasses should do more than block the sun, they should enhance your vision, complement your style, and fit seamlessly into your lifestyle all year round.

Our Dispensing Opticians are here to guide you through every step of the process, from selecting lens options to finding frames that suit your face shape perfectly. Every pair of prescription sunglasses we dispense is tailored to your exact prescription needs, ensuring clear, comfortable vision without compromise.

Plus, our collection includes only CE-marked and UV400-rated options for maximum eye health protection.

Book an appointment

How NHS-funded prescription sunglasses work

NHS-funded glasses can help take the pressure off the cost of your eyewear, but it’s not always clear how the funding works. In our guide, we’ll walk you through who’s eligible for an NHS optical voucher, what it can contribute towards, and how to use it in practice.

Whether you’re buying your first pair or upgrading, we’ll help you understand your options and make the most of the support available.

Explore NHS funded glasses

See what our patients are saying

Trustpilot
Book an appointment

Booking an appointment is easy - choose a time that works for you with our simple online system. Prefer to speak to someone? Call us on 0800 40 20 20 (lines open Mon–Sat, 8.30am – 5pm).

Book an appointmentCall us: 0800 40 20 20
Find your nearest branch

Whether you need expert optical or hearing care, our friendly teams are here to help. With 37 branches across the South of England, finding your local Leightons is just a click away with our branch finder.

Find a Leightons branch

FAQs About Prescription Sunglasses

Not all sunglasses provide UV protection. To ensure your sunglasses protect your eyes from harmful ultraviolet rays, look for the CE mark, UV400 rating, or British Standard BS EN ISO 12312-1:2013 on the frame or packaging. These marks guarantee a safe level of UV protection. If you are not sure, ask your opticians.

Yes, you can usually use your current prescription to order prescription sunglasses, provided it is still valid and up to date. For the best vision and comfort, it’s recommended to have an eye test if your prescription is more than two years old or if you notice changes in your vision.

Absolutely, prescription sunglasses are available in a wide range of designer frames from popular brands, so you can combine vision correction, UV protection, and personal style.

Children and some adults eligible for NHS optical vouchers can use them towards the cost of prescription sunglasses. This can make prescription sunglasses more affordable, especially for children, who are more vulnerable to UV damage.

Yes, most prescription sunglasses are suitable for driving, especially those with category 2 or 3 lenses that provide adequate glare reduction and UV protection.

You should replace your sunglasses if they become scratched, damaged, or if the UV protection coating wears off. It’s also wise to update your sunglasses whenever your prescription changes or at least every two years, in line with regular eye test recommendations, to ensure optimal vision and protection for you and your family.