Prescription

What are RX prescription optical inserts and the benefits they provide

Shooting eyewear and most sports eyewear models have curved frames/lenses – in some cases very pronounced curves known as 10 Base. Many also have large, one-piece shield style lenses. Directly glazing the frames of these models with impact resistant polycarbonate prescription lenses is difficult, expensive and can have disappointing results such as visual distortion.

The prescription optical insert overcomes this problem. The insert clips behind the sunglass/eyewear lens, usually attaching to the nose piece.

The pros and cons of optical inserts

Pros

• The manufacturing optician can use their normal CR39 prescription material for the insert lenses – a material that’s easy to work with and accommodates a wide range of prescription strengths (thinner high index lenses available if required). The CR39 lens material is not impact resistant but the insert sits behind the sunglass lens and on sports models these will typically have impact resistant, polycarbonate lenses (check product description for details).
• Many optical insert models have interchangeable lenses coming with 3, 4 or even 5 different coloured lenses so the user gets the benefit of having multiple different lens colours to use.
• If the user also wears contact lenses the optical insert can be detached, and the sunglasses/eyewear can be used as normal.
• Optical inserts are a low cost, affordable way of providing prescription sunglasses and sports eyewear. It can be more cost effective to provide a multi lens set with 5 coloured lenses and prescription optical insert, than a single colour polycarbonate prescription lens glazed onto a pilot or aviator style frame i.e. non-curved frame.

Cons

• The optical insert can sit closer to the eyes than standard prescription glasses/spectacles and occasionally people may find it touches their eyelashes/eyebrows. This can take some adjustment to get used to, and models with adjustable nose pads can help overcome this problem.
• The optical insert frame can sometimes be seen in peripheral vision which some users dislike.