Clip-on glasses

Prescription clip-on glasses with a polarized magnetic sun clip

Clip-on glasses are prescription glasses that come with a polarized magnetic sun clip made to fit the frame exactly. You wear them as everyday glasses, and when the sun comes out you bring the clip close and the magnets hold it in place in front of your lenses. At Lens4Glasses you can choose from 17 clip-on frames and order them as a frame only or with your prescription lenses fitted by registered opticians-optometrists.

How the magnetic clip for prescription glasses works

Each frame has small magnets built in, and the sun clip has matching magnets in the same spots. Bring it close and it snaps on securely, with no clamps that scratch the lenses and nothing to adjust. To take it off, simply lift it away by hand. Because each clip is designed for its own frame, it has the same shape and size: it doesn't stick out or leave gaps at the sides, so your glasses still look like one piece.

A polarized sun clip: less glare

All our sun clips are polarized. A polarized filter blocks the light that bounces off flat, shiny surfaces, which is the light that dazzles you most. So with the clip on you will notice less glare from the road, the bonnet and the windscreen when driving, from water at the beach or on a lake and from snow, and you will see colours with more contrast and less eye strain.

Why choose clip-on sunglasses instead of two pairs or prescription sunglasses

• One pair in your pocket: no need to carry your regular glasses and your sunglasses, or to swap pairs every time you go in or out.
• One set of prescription lenses: your lenses are fitted once, and the sun clip already comes with the frame.
• Switch in a second: put the clip on or take it off without removing your glasses, which you can't do with prescription sunglasses.
• Two looks in one frame: with or without the clip, your glasses take on a different style.

Who are magnetic clip-on sunglasses for?

For anyone who wears a prescription and spends part of the day outdoors: people who drive every day and get in and out of the car, people who walk around town and pop into shops or offices, travellers who don't want to carry two cases, or anyone who keeps leaving their sunglasses at home. They are also a smart choice if you wear progressive lenses and don't want a second pair of progressive sunglasses.

How to choose your model and size

There is a shape for every taste: cat eye (Vega, Atria, Libra, Luna and Lyra), butterfly (Carina, Cassiopeia and Irene), round (Alcor, Antares and Perseus), square (Adhara and Cygnus), hexagonal (Borea), rectangular (Lynch) and aviator (Markus and Max). Most are made of TR90, a light, flexible material that stands up well to everyday wear; Alcor, Perseus, Markus and Max are metal, and Irene is acetate.

To get the size right, check the measurements shown on each product page, for example 51-17-140:

1. Lens width (51): the width of each lens in millimetres.
2. Bridge (17): the distance between the two lenses, the part that rests on your nose.
3. Temple length (140): the length of the arm.

The most reliable trick is to compare them with your current glasses: these three numbers are usually printed on the inside of the arm. If the lens width and bridge are close to yours (within about 2 mm), the new frame will fit in a similar way. Each product page also tells you whether the size is medium or wide.

A few examples: the Vega clip-on glasses (cat eye, 51-17-140, in black, red and brown), the Antares clip-on glasses (round, 48-17-140), the Cygnus clip-on glasses (square, in black, blue and havana) or the Max clip-on glasses (metal aviator, 50-19-140).

Prescription glasses with a magnetic sun clip: lenses and price

When you choose your model you can add the frame only or the frame with prescription lenses. Our registered opticians-optometrists fit the lenses to your prescription and send you the glasses ready to wear:

• Single vision lenses, for distance or for reading.
• Progressive lenses, including Varilux progressive lenses.
• For stronger prescriptions you can choose thinner lens indices and a premium anti-reflective coating.

You'll see the price of each option in your own currency on the product page as you build your glasses. Every pair comes with a three-year warranty on frame and lenses and a 14-day return period. Shipping costs for your country are shown in the cart.

Caring for your magnetic clip

Most models come with a case: keep the clip in it when you're not using it, so it doesn't get scratched or knocked about in your bag. Keep the clip away from cards with a magnetic strip and clean it with a microfibre cloth, just like your glasses. If the clip loses a magnet or breaks, get in touch and we'll help you.

Clip-on glasses FAQ

Can clip-on glasses take a prescription?

Yes. Every frame accepts single vision and progressive lenses. Choose "Add prescription lenses", give us your prescription and we'll send you the glasses fitted.

Is the sun clip polarized?

Yes, the clips on all our clip-on glasses are polarized.

Does the magnetic clip fall off?

Not with normal use: the magnets hold it firmly to the frame. Just avoid pulling on the clip to take your glasses off; hold them by the frame instead.

Are clip-on sunglasses good for driving?

Yes, during the day they are very practical: you keep your prescription and put the clip on or off as the light changes, for example when entering a tunnel. And because the clip is polarized, it cuts glare from wet roads and the windscreen. Always drive without the clip at night.

What if my prescription changes?

You don't need new glasses: you can replace just the lenses in the same frame and keep using the same clip.

Can I buy the frame only?

Yes. Click "Add frame only" and we'll send it to you with its clip, for example to take to your local optician.

How much do prescription glasses with a magnetic clip cost?

It depends on the model and the lenses you choose. The product page shows the price of the frame with clip and of each lens option in your currency.

Are there models for men and women?

Yes. There are models designed for women, such as Vega or Cassiopeia; for men, such as Antares or Lynch; and unisex styles, such as Alcor, Borea or Max.