The answer to whether you can get prescription goggles is yes; they are widely available for nearly any activity requiring protective eyewear. Prescription goggles integrate corrective lenses directly into the protective frame, which is necessary for individuals with vision correction needs who participate in sports, work in industrial settings, or swim regularly. This specialized eyewear ensures clear vision, which is fundamental for both performance and safety. Prescription goggles are often a requirement to meet specific safety standards while ensuring the wearer can see clearly without the risks associated with wearing standard eyeglasses beneath protective gear.
Defining Your Goggle Needs
The first step in securing appropriate corrective eyewear is identifying the primary activity, as the goggle type dictates the necessary construction and performance features. Prescription goggles generally fall into three major categories based on their intended use.
Sports and Athletic Goggles
For sports and athletic activities, such as basketball or racquet sports, goggles must prioritize impact resistance and a secure fit. These athletic goggles often feature durable polycarbonate lenses and a padded frame designed to withstand high-velocity impact. The frame must remain securely on the face during rapid movement, typically achieved through adjustable straps.
Swimming Goggles
Swimming goggles are engineered to create a watertight seal and must feature anti-fog coatings to maintain clarity in aquatic environments. Since water changes how light refracts, the lens power sometimes requires a slight adjustment from a standard air prescription for optimal vision underwater. Polycarbonate lenses are standard and should offer UV protection, especially for outdoor swimmers.
Industrial and Safety Goggles
Industrial and safety goggles focus on durability and compliance with regulated safety standards, such as the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Z87.1 certification. This standard mandates rigorous testing to ensure the eyewear resists high-velocity impact, non-ionizing radiation, and liquid splash. Safety goggles may also include features like removable side shields or foam lining to protect against fine dust and debris.
Securing the Necessary Prescription Data
Ordering prescription goggles requires current optical data obtained from a recent comprehensive eye examination. A valid prescription must include the Sphere (S), Cylinder (C), and Axis values for each eye, which correct for nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. If you require correction for reading or near tasks, the prescription will also include an Add power, which may be incorporated into bifocal or progressive goggle lenses.
Pupillary Distance (PD)
The Pupillary Distance (PD) is the most important measurement for ordering custom eyewear, especially for goggles with a curved design. The PD is the distance between the centers of your pupils, ensuring the optical center of the corrective lens aligns precisely with your eye. An incorrect PD can lead to eye strain, headaches, and distorted vision.
While your optometrist takes this measurement during an eye exam, the PD value is not always written on the final prescription. You may need to request this measurement from your eye care professional or use an online tool to measure it yourself. For precision, the PD is often recorded as a dual measurement, giving a separate number for each eye’s distance from the center of the nose bridge.
Options for Purchasing Prescription Goggles
Once you have your complete prescription data, several channels offer options for purchasing prescription goggles.
Online Specialty Retailers
Online specialty retailers provide the broadest selection and are often the most cost-effective solution, carrying models for sports, swimming, and safety. These vendors allow you to upload your prescription and customize the lens and frame features directly on their website. However, purchasing online means you cannot physically try on the frame, making it challenging to ensure a proper, comfortable fit and seal before the final purchase.
Optometrists and Optical Shops
Traditional optometrists and optical shops offer professional assistance, which is particularly beneficial for complex or high-power prescriptions. Opticians can take precise measurements, handle complex lens types like progressives, and ensure the frame is properly fitted to your face. This route generally involves a higher cost but provides a higher level of personalized service.
Specialty Sports Stores
Specialty sports stores focusing on swimming or protective gear may also offer prescription goggle options, though their selection is usually more limited. These stores are helpful for physically trying on different frames to assess comfort and fit, particularly the crucial seal of a swimming goggle. While they may offer pre-made prescription goggles with a limited range of strengths, they often require you to send the frame out for custom lens installation.
Essential Features and Customization
Beyond the core prescription, several features enhance the performance and longevity of your goggles.
Anti-Fog Coatings
Anti-fog coatings are a valued feature, especially for swimming and high-exertion sports, as they prevent the condensation of water vapor on the lens surface that causes vision obstruction. Many high-quality goggles come with a factory-applied anti-fog treatment, which must be carefully maintained to preserve its effectiveness.
Protection and Safety
UV protection and lens tinting are important considerations for outdoor use. Polycarbonate lenses naturally block most UV radiation, but an added tint or mirrored finish can reduce glare and eye strain. For environments with potential hazards, ensuring the lenses meet impact resistance standards, such as the ANSI Z87.1 certification, is a safety feature.
Frame Design
Frame design elements like adjustable straps and cushioned nose bridges allow for a custom fit that prevents slippage. This ensures a tight, comfortable seal, which is necessary to keep water out of swimming goggles or debris out of safety goggles.