Prescription Sunglasses & Custom Tinted Lenses
in Ilkeston
Protect your eyes without compromising your vision or style. At Ilkeston Factory Specs, we create bespoke prescription sunglasses and professionally tinted lenses using our onsite optical laboratory. Whether you need prescription or non-prescription sunglasses, replacement tinted lenses or custom lens colours, we can produce eyewear tailored to your exact prescription, lifestyle and personal preferences.
We welcome customers from Ilkeston, Derby, Nottingham, Leicester, Long Eaton and across the East Midlands looking for high-quality prescription sunglasses with expert fitting and fast turnaround.
Why choose us?
-
Prescription and non-prescription sunglasses
-
Bespoke lens tinting
-
Same day service available on many single vision prescriptions
-
UV protection included
-
Onsite optical laboratory
-
Walk-ins welcome
Can Prescription Glasses Be Tinted?
Yes. Most prescription and non-prescription lenses can be professionally tinted to create customised sunglasses.
Tinted lenses offer much more than cosmetic appeal. They can:
-
Reduce glare
-
Improve visual comfort
-
Protect your eyes from bright sunlight
-
Enhance contrast
-
Reduce eye strain
-
Create a personalised appearance
Our experienced dispensing team will recommend the most suitable tint colour and darkness depending on how and where you use your glasses.
Choose Your Perfect Lens Tint
Every pair of sunglasses is made to suit your requirements.
Solid Tints
Traditional sunglasses available in:
-
Grey
-
Brown
-
Green
These provide natural colour perception and excellent everyday sun protection.
Gradient Tints
Graduated tints are darker at the top and lighter towards the bottom, making them ideal for driving and everyday outdoor use.
Two-Colour Tints
Blend two complementary colours to create completely bespoke sunglasses with a unique appearance.
Fashion Tints
Choose from a wide selection including:
-
Red
-
Blue
-
Yellow
-
Pink
-
Purple
-
Rose
-
Amber
Light cosmetic tints are suitable for indoor wear, while darker tints provide effective outdoor sun protection.
Types of Prescription Sunglasses
Prescription Sunglasses
Enjoy clear vision outdoors with prescription lenses customised to your eyesight and chosen tint.
Ideal for:
-
Everyday wear
-
Driving
-
Holidays
-
Walking
👉 Polarised lenses significantly improve clarity in bright conditions
Non-Prescription Sunglasses
We also supply plano sunglass lenses for customers who simply want stylish sunglasses and UV protection without prescription lenses.
Photochromic Lenses
Photochromic lenses automatically darken in sunlight and become clear indoors.
Ideal for people who regularly move between indoor and outdoor environments.
Polarised Sunglasses
Prescription polarised lenses reduce reflected glare from:
-
Wet roads
-
Water
-
Snow
-
Vehicle windscreens
They are particularly popular with:
-
Drivers
-
Cyclists
-
Golfers
-
Anglers
-
Sailors
-
Outdoor sports enthusiasts
Polarised lenses provide noticeably clearer, more comfortable vision in bright conditions.
Same Day Prescription Sunglasses
Because we have our own onsite optical laboratory, many single vision prescription sunglasses can be produced within one hour.
More complex prescriptions, bifocal lenses and varifocal sunglasses normally require several working days.
Available options include:
-
Grey tints best for natural colour perception and everyday use.
-
Brown tints best for driving and improving contrast
-
Green tints great for general outdoor wear
-
Rose tints best for enhanced contrast and comfort
-
Yellow tints low-light conditions
-
Blue tints for Fashion and cosmetic styling
-
Mirror coatings for fashion
-
Gradient tints
-
Two-colour tints
-
Bespoke fashion colours
-
Anti-reflection coatings
Reglaze Your Existing Sunglasses
Already own frames you love?
Our reglazing service allows you to replace your existing lenses with brand new prescription or non-prescription tinted lenses.
We can:
-
Add prescription sunglasses lenses
-
Replace scratched sunglass lenses
-
Convert ordinary glasses into sunglasses
-
Fit updated prescriptions
-
Upgrade lens coatings
Many single vision reglazing jobs can be completed on the same day.
Why Our Onsite Optical Laboratory Makes a Difference
-
Faster turnaround
-
Same-day services
-
Better quality control
-
Custom tint matching
-
Immediate adjustments
-
Specialist reglazing
-
Personal service
Choose the Right Lens Material
-
Depending on your prescription and lifestyle we can supply:
-
Standard plastic lenses
-
High-index thin lenses
-
Polycarbonate impact-resistant lenses
-
Lightweight lenses
-
Prescription sunglass lenses for strong prescriptions
Who Are Prescription Sunglasses Suitable For?
-
Perfect for:
-
Drivers
-
Golfers
-
Cyclists
-
Walkers
-
Anglers
-
Outdoor workers
-
Holiday travel
-
Everyday wear
-
Water sports
-
Sensitive eyes
How We Make Your Prescription Sunglasses
-
Bring your prescription or current glasses.
-
Choose your frame.
-
Select your lens material.
-
Choose your tint colour and density.
-
Add optional coatings such as polarised or anti-reflection.
-
We manufacture your lenses in our onsite laboratory.
-
We fit and adjust your glasses.
-
Collect your finished prescription sunglasses.
Feature | Standard Sunglasses | Prescription Sunglasses |
|---|---|---|
Lens Replacement Available | No | Yes |
Made to Prescription | No | Yes |
Corrects Vision | No | Yes |
Same Day Availability | No | Many Prescriptions |
Custom Tint Colours | Limited | Yes |
Photochromic Option | No | Yes |
Polarised Option | Yes | Yes |
UV Protection | Yes | Yes |
Prescription Lenses | No | Yes |
Clear Vision | No | Yes |
Related Services
You may also be interested in:
-
Replace Prescription Lenses
-
Reglaze Glasses
-
Prescription Lens Replacement
-
Same Day Glasses
-
Frame Styling Consultations
-
Photochromic Lenses
-
Polarised Lenses
Prescription Sunglasses Across the East Midlands
Customers regularly visit us from:
-
Ilkeston
-
Derby
-
Nottingham
-
Long Eaton
-
Beeston
-
Heanor
-
Ripley
-
Mansfield
-
Belper
-
Burton upon Trent
Many travel specifically for our onsite lens tinting service and specialist prescription sunglasses.
Clip-On Polarised Sunglasses
For customers wanting greater flexibility, we also supply bespoke clip-on polarised sun lenses.
Simply attach them when outdoors and remove them indoors to continue wearing your everyday prescription glasses.
Why Choose Ilkeston Factory Specs?
Unlike many high street opticians, we tint lenses in our own onsite laboratory, allowing us to provide greater flexibility, faster turnaround and more personalised service.
Our customers choose us because we offer:
-
Prescription sunglasses
-
Custom lens tinting
-
Same day services
-
Reglazing
-
Professional fitting
-
Expert dispensing advice
-
Thousands of frame styles
-
Established independent practice since 1991
FAQs
What tint colour is best for sunglasses?
Grey, brown and green remain the most popular because they provide natural colour perception while reducing glare.
Can I have lightly tinted lenses?
Yes. Light cosmetic tints are popular for everyday wear and can also improve comfort when using digital screens or under bright indoor lighting.
Do all tinted lenses include UV protection?
Yes. All of our professionally tinted sunglass lenses include UV protection.
Can you tint my existing glasses?
If your current lenses cannot be tinted, we can usually replace them with new tinted prescription lenses while keeping your existing frames.
Can you make prescription sunglasses the same day?
Many single vision prescriptions can be completed within one hour using our onsite laboratory.
Are polarised lenses worth it?
For driving, fishing, watersports and outdoor activities, polarised lenses significantly reduce glare and improve visual clarity.
Are photochromic lenses the same as sunglasses?
No. Photochromic lenses automatically darken outdoors and clear indoors, whereas prescription sunglasses remain permanently tinted.
Polarised Prescription Sunglasses Explained
Polarised lenses are one of the best choices for reducing glare and improving visual comfort in bright outdoor conditions. Unlike standard tinted sunglasses, polarised lenses contain a specialised laminated filter that blocks horizontally reflected light from surfaces such as wet roads, water, snow and vehicle bonnets.
This significantly reduces glare while improving contrast, clarity and visual comfort without simply making everything appear darker.
Benefits of Polarised Lenses
Polarised prescription sunglasses can help:
-
Reduce glare from roads, water and reflective surfaces
-
Improve contrast and colour definition
-
Reduce eye strain in bright sunlight
-
Enhance visual comfort during prolonged outdoor activities
-
Provide clearer vision for driving and sports
-
Offer full UV protection when supplied as prescription sunglasses
Who Are Polarised Sunglasses Best For?
Polarised lenses are particularly popular with:
-
Drivers
-
Cyclists
-
Anglers
-
Golfers
-
Sailors
-
Skiers
-
Walkers and hikers
-
Watersports enthusiasts
-
Anyone who spends long periods outdoors
They are especially beneficial when glare from reflective surfaces makes vision uncomfortable or reduces visibility.
Available Polarised Lens Options
At Ilkeston Factory Specs, we supply prescription polarised sunglasses and non-prescription polarised sunglasses in high-quality Grey and Brown lens colours. These colours provide natural colour perception while delivering excellent glare reduction for everyday outdoor use, driving and sports.
Our polarised lenses are available in many frame styles and can often be fitted to both new frames and suitable existing frames through our professional reglazing service.
Is Polarisation a Lens Coating?
No. Polarisation is not a surface coating.
Instead, a specialised polarising filter is permanently laminated within the lens during manufacture. This filter is precisely aligned to block horizontally reflected light while allowing useful light to pass through, producing clearer, sharper vision and significantly reducing glare.
Because the polarising filter forms part of the lens itself, it provides long-lasting glare reduction rather than a temporary surface treatment.
Ready to Create Your Perfect Prescription Sunglasses?
Whether you're looking for prescription polarised sunglasses, bespoke tinted lenses, photochromic lenses or custom prescription sunglasses, our experienced dispensing team is here to help.
Visit Ilkeston Factory Specs to explore thousands of frames, compare lens colours, choose the right lens material and coatings, and receive expert advice tailored to your prescription and lifestyle.
Many single vision prescription sunglasses can be manufactured in our onsite optical laboratory within as little as one hour, with no appointment necessary.
Get Your Custom Prescription Sunglasses Today
Going on holiday, replacing old sunglasses or simply ready for clearer vision outdoors? Our experienced dispensing team can help you create the perfect pair of prescription sunglasses tailored to your prescription, lifestyle and personal style.
Many single vision prescription sunglasses can be manufactured in our onsite optical laboratory within as little as one hour, making us one of the few independent optical specialists in the region able to offer a genuine same-day service.
Visit our Ilkeston eyewear boutique today to:
-
Choose from thousands of frames
-
Select your perfect lens tint and coatings
-
Add your prescription to new or existing frames
-
Enjoy expert fitting and personalised advice
-
Leave with your new prescription sunglasses the very same day on many single vision prescriptions
No appointment needed – simply walk in with your prescription and let us create sunglasses that look great, feel comfortable and provide exceptional vision.
Some of the Colour Tints We supply In-store.
Graduated tints show best from grade 3 to 5
Grade 1
Grade 2
Grade 3
Grade 4 Abs 75%
Grade 5
Abs 85%
Green
Grey
Blue
Yellow
Pink
Brown
Red
Purple
Dark Sunglasses
