Home Visit Eye Tests: Who Qualifies and How to Arrange One for a Family Member
19 August 2026
13:32
Every summer, the same question comes up in the dispensing chair: “Are prescription sunglasses actually worth it, or should I just get clip-ons?” It’s a fair question. Prescription sunglasses aren’t cheap, and if you’re already spending on your main pair, the idea of a second set can feel like overkill. So here’s the honest answer.
Clip-Ons and Fit-Overs
The budget option. They work – they darken the view and provide UV protection – but the optics are never as clean as a dedicated lens, they sit further from your eyes which lets light leak around the edges, and if we’re being frank, most of them don’t look great. For occasional use on holiday they’re perfectly fine. For everyday driving or regular outdoor wear, they’re a compromise.
Contact Lenses + Off-the-Shelf Sunglasses
A good option if you’re already a comfortable contact lens wearer. You get the full range of non-prescription sunglasses to choose from, and optically it works well. The downside is that it only works if you wear contacts regularly anyway – putting lenses in purely to wear sunglasses for a weekend isn’t practical for most people, and contact lenses come with their own running costs and care routine.
Dedicated Prescription Sunglasses
A second pair of glasses made up specifically as sunglasses, with your prescription built into tinted or polarised lenses. Optically the best solution – no compromises on clarity, full UV protection, no light leak, and you can choose frames that actually suit you as sunglasses rather than bolting something onto your existing pair.
The honest take If you drive regularly, spend meaningful time outdoors, or simply find yourself squinting through bright conditions several times a week, prescription sunglasses pay for themselves in comfort and safety. If you only need them for a week in Spain once a year, clip-ons do the job. |
Frame selection matters just as much as the lenses – our curated frame collection includes styles specifically suited to sunglasses, and our state-of-the-art lens range covers every tint, polarisation, and coating option worth considering
If you’re entitled to an NHS optical voucher, it can be put towards prescription sunglasses as a second pair. We’ll check your NHS eligibility and explain what the voucher covers when you come in.
The easiest way to know whether prescription sunglasses are worth it for you is to try a pair on. Get in touch or call 0141 427 4040 – we’ll talk through the options, show you the lens and frame choices, and be honest about whether it’s the right spend for how you’ll actually use them.
Book your comprehensive eye examination or eyewear styling consultation with
Mosspark Opticians today.
Optically, yes - prescription sunglasses offer better clarity, full UV coverage, and no light leakage around the edges. Clip-ons are fine for occasional use but aren't as effective for regular wear or driving.
Yes - polarised lenses can be made up in your prescription, combining glare reduction with your correction in a single lens.
It depends on the frame and lens options you choose. We'll always talk through options at different price points and explain what each upgrade actually does for you.
Yes - where eligible, an NHS voucher can be put towards prescription sunglasses as a second pair.
No - your existing prescription works for sunglasses too. If it's been a while since your last test, we'd recommend updating it before ordering a new pair.
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