Best glasses and sunglasses for cataracts
With an eye condition such as cataract, it is critical to protect your eyes from harmful bright lights and other various discomforts that may cause stress on your vision. Symptoms of cataracts can also disrupt your quality of vision, from blurriness and light sensitivity to experiencing glare or seeing yellow tints.
While eyeglasses and sunglasses do not have the power to treat cataracts, they can help to address the blurriness and discomfort associated with the condition. Sunglasses that provide complete UV protection have been found to decrease the risk of cataracts.
The following recommendations can help guide you in your decision when selecting a new pair of glasses or sunglasses to treat the symptoms of your cataract(s). These recommendations may be helpful to you, whether or not you’ve had special cataract treatment or undergone cataract surgery.
Cataract sunglasses
Protection from the sun is important for everyone’s vision — especially for those with cataracts. Sunlight can cause even more damage to eyes and worsen the side effects of cataracts. Fortunately, there are some sunglasses that are designed to help with this.
Note: The following protective features are recommended whether you have had cataract surgery or not.
Ultraviolet (UV) protection
For the best protection from the sun, make sure the label or online description for your sunglasses states that they provide 99-100% UV protection against UVA and UVB, or 100% protection against UV 400.
Polarized lenses
Polarization can reduce the intense glare projected by surfaces like water and pavement. This feature is especially beneficial for those who live an active lifestyle, and even for everyday activities such as driving.
Wraparound frames
Most sunglasses protect the front of your eyes, but it’s important to remember that sunlight can enter the sides of your eyes, too. With wraparound frames, sunlight is blocked from all entry points, giving your eyes full protection.
Best cataract sunglasses
With many models of cataract sunglasses to choose from, it can be hard to narrow down the best pair for you. Some of the highest rated cataract sunglasses, all of which are designed to fit over prescription eyeglasses include:
Optix 55 HD day/night driving glasses: These frames are popular thanks to the comfort and anti-glare clarity they offer, especially for activities such as driving.
LensCovers sunglasses: These frames are polarized, offer 100% UV protection, and come in a variety of sizes and colors.
Yodo sunglasses: These sunglasses are rated highly for cataracts, as well as for sports. They are polarized and include 100% UV protection as well.
These particular frames are also designed to prevent light from entering the sides of your eyes.
Cataract glasses
If a cataract is a primary concern for your vision, it should be treated quickly and appropriately. Though glasses cannot prevent or treat cataracts, certain features can help with the symptoms.
Anti-reflective lenses
Light sensitivity is a major concern for many cataract patients, which makes anti-reflective lenses beneficial. These lenses have the technology to prevent extra light from entering through the lenses, combatting some of the discomfort from brightness before it begins.
Blue light filtering
Blue light filtering glasses can reduce some of the blue light emitted from digital screens, which may provide relief for individuals with cataracts who spend a lot of time on devices.
Digital eye strain caused by prolonged viewing of electronic screens can be decreased with computer glasses with a prescription for intermediate-distance viewing. Blue light filtering can be added to these glasses to increase comfort.
Photochromic lenses
Photochromic lenses automatically darken when they are exposed to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which is another benefit for those who experience light sensitivity. Some photochromic lenses can also filter some blue light.
Note: If your condition worsens enough over time — to the point where a new prescription won’t help — your eye doctor may recommend cataract surgery. Should this be the case, be sure to take protective measures for your condition after surgery as well.
Based on your vision needs, some may opt for reading glasses or other special lenses like the ones listed above after surgery.
Best cataract glasses
So what are the best glasses for cataracts? Again, it’s important to remember that cataracts cannot be cured with eyeglasses — but they can temporarily help correct the blurriness and other impacts on vision that are associated with the condition.
Depending on your vision needs, some eyeglasses may serve you better than others. Discuss your symptoms with your eye doctor in order to determine which type of glasses will best help you.
Are glasses still needed after cataract surgery?
The vast majority of cataract patients will see a significant improvement in their vision after surgery, but some may still need corrective lenses to see with full clarity. This depends on the type of artificial lens implanted during your cataract surgery, in addition to your visual requirements.
Should you still require additional vision correction, your eye doctor or cataract surgeon will be able to recommend the best glasses/sunglasses features (likely including one or two from the lists above), as well as the recommended power for your lenses after surgery.
Can you wear old prescription glasses after cataract surgery? You may no longer need a prescription, or your prescription will have changed after cataract surgery. Although you will most likely not be able to use the same lenses, you will not harm your eyes by wearing your old frames.
How to get cataract glasses
Ultimately, your eye doctor will be able to recommend the best product for your individual condition, based on your medical history and your general lifestyle, as well as whether or not you have had cataract extraction surgery.
After discussing your needs with your eye doctor, and weighing the pros and cons among features, we’re confident that you’ll find a great pair of eyewear to help treat the side effects of cataracts, before and/or after surgery.
Page published on Friday, August 21, 2020
Medically reviewed on Monday, July 17, 2023
