We have all seen them - people wearing those ugly, huge, cheap plastic sunglasses over their prescription glasses. The kind of sunglasses the doctor gives you after you have undergone cataract surgery. Now, there is an Australian company that provides you with the opportunity of wearing fashionable sunglasses under your own prescription lenses.

The advantage of owning a pair of Cocoons sunglasses versus other brands is like comparing night and day. Cocoons sunglasses offer you features such as superior polarized lenses, flex2fit temples, 360 degrees of sight protection and different frames and size options, which most other brands do not.

Also, Cocoons sunglasses offer you several different options, besides the regular sunglasses' designs such as clip-ons, flip-ups, snap-ons as well as low vision Cocoons and Sidekicks.

(Photo courtesy of Cocoons Sunglasses.)

"Polarized lenses act as a chemical "venetian blind" that eliminates blinding glare by channeling the reflected light before it reaches the eyes." (www.cocoonseyewear.com)

The lenses brand Polare ensures that your eyesight does not strain by eliminating the glare, which results in the improvement of your visual acuity and depth perception. Also, visual distortion is eliminated. "Polare lenses are optically correct, meaning that there is no visible distortion. It is extremely important when wearing sunglass lenses over prescription eyewear that the lenses are distortion free." (www.cocoonseyewear.com)

Lastly, "Polare lenses are scratch resistant and deliver 100% UVA and B protection, exceed ANSI Z80.1 safety standards (the Australian sunglass standards) and all FDA impact resistance standards." (www.cocoonseyewear.com)

(Photo courtesy of Steve Took It - Steve Wall, Flickr.)

Cocoons polarized lenses come in different shades such as gray "that delivers natural color definition and contrast. Ideal for everyday use in bright light conditions where enhanced contrast is not required." (www.cocoonseyewear.com), copper tint "that heightens depth perception and object definition by effectively filtering scattered blue light to improve contrast. Ideal for skiing, fishing and all flat light conditions. (16% LT)" (www.cocoonseyewear.com), amber tint which " is effective at absorbing most blue light waves which sharpens visual acuity, improving depth perception and contrast in variable light conditions. Amber is popular for fishing, driving, and general use. (14% LT)" (www.cocoonseyewear.com). The yellow tint "provides excellent depth perception and dramatic contrast in low light. Improves contrast and gives a sensation of heightened visual acuity in low light conditions. (27% LT) "www.cocoonseyewear.com)

(Photo courtesy of schmarian, Flickr.)

The Flex2Fit Temples' manual adjustment capabilities provide you with an exact fit according to the shape of your ear thanks to a wire cord contained inside the legs - not just by bending the plastic legs like with most other sunglasses.

The adjustment instructions are so simple a child can do it. "By manually applying inward pressure (see illustration A), the ear pieces can be contoured to more closely follow the curvature of your head. By bending the ear pieces downwards (see illustration B); the temples can be adjusted to achieve a more snug fit if you are experiencing a problem with the sunglasses "slipping forward". If you are experiencing added pressure from the temples, simply reverse this process to widen or straighten the shape of the ear pieces." (www.cocoonseyewear.com)

Regular sunglasses that you purchase to use over your prescription lenses fail to provide the extra 40% protection against unfiltered light. This is due to the fact that they "do not provide protection from the top, bottom and sides. Cocoons patented frame designs block damaging UV light and glare from all angles (top, bottom and sides), completely isolating the eyes in a cocoon of filtered light." (www.cocoonseyewear.com) Hence, the name - Cocoon sunglasses.

The Sidekick clip-on sunglasses allow you the same kind of 360 degree protection, as with the regular designs, and "offer the wearer additional protection from both the peripheral line of sight and from light that enters from above. the majority of light is now filtered through the UV absorptive filter or blocked by the brow bar." (www.cocoonseyewear.com) The Sidekicks' lenses are available in colors such as boysenberry, hazelnut, lemon, orange and smoke, with each color providing a special feature such as enhanced contrast in low light and true color definition.

(Photo courtesy of kristin ceekristin cleavin, Flickr.)

Cocoons sunglasses offer you 6 different size options, from small to extra large, in order to properly fit over your regular prescription glasses.

Additionally, the frames are manufactured from ballistic nylon "and feature a supple soft touch finish for the ultimate combination of durability and comfort." (www.cocoonseyewear.com)

Frame colors currently available are black, tortoiseshell, sand, slate and burgundy.

Cocoon sunglasses offer a limited lifetime warranty. This means that "Live Eyewear will repair or replace, at our option, any Live Eyewear product found to be defective, exclusive of damage caused by improper or unreasonable use. The lifetime warranty applies to the frames only, not the lenses. The lenses are guaranteed to be free from manufacturers defect and remain scratch resistant for a period of one year from original date of purchase, exclusive of damage caused by improper or unreasonable use. No lens is scratch proof, but Cocoons lenses are warranted to be scratch resistant for a period of one year after original date of purchase. Live Eyewear, at our discretion, replace or repair any lens (es) damaged or defective under normal use. Any alteration or modification of the original product will void the warranty." (www.cocoonseyewear.com)