Prescription sunglasses

[Fontinalis]

I am debating about getting single vision or no line multifocal prescription sunglasses. Oakley makes them. They are pretty much the only outfit that makes the curved sunglasses with no line multifocal prescription. And they give you 60 days to either keep them or return them.

I am told by the opticien that people go either way. When I have tried a pair of single vision (the prescription I need to see far) I can't see well my bike (the speed knob for instance) or underneat the bike (that big hole in the ground I'm about to hit!).

Some people advised me against going with multifocal because the curved lenses distort the fields, and might be difficult to adapt to.

So, my question : are any of you had to take that decision ? what did you go with ? and how has it worked for you ?

Thank you.

[withm]

This has been my issue for years. I need bi-focals to read the computer, cue sheets, or as you mention, inspect closely anything on the bike. I need distance to see everything else. I have never been able to find "bike" glasses that wouldn't require still to carry regular glasses in my pocket.

I have a couple pairs of "clip-on" sunglasses that I usually use on my regular glasses if I think the sun will be variable, or if I know I'll be stopping somewhere when the "shades" will be too dark inside.

I've tried the "fit-over" sunglasses but I use the mirror that clips onto my glasses, and it really doesn't work so well with the fit-overs.

The cycling glasses where you attach your lenses via a separate frame to slip inside would work, but.... when you stop for coffee somewhere, you still need to carry your regular glasses. :(

If the forecast is for constant sun, and I know I'm not stopping anywhere, I'll just wear the regular Rx (bi-focal) sunglasses.

All of my glasses are progressives - no-line style.

I will be very curious to see how anyone else has solved this problem.

[malkin]

I have my far vision prescription in my Oakleys. It's true that I can't see my computer very well but there is no trouble seeing the road. I carry a pair of clear lens bifocals in a trunk bag. I'd have a hard time changing a tire when it was just a big blur.

I have ridden in clear bifocals too, on rare days when I make it out of the house early enough to see darkness on a morning commute. So far so good with this too, and it always surprises me a little bit to look down and be able to read the numbers on my computer.

But while my present system is fine, I am hopeful when I see those ads on TV for multifocal contact lenses, and I'm planning to ask the eye doc when I see him next.

[Thorn]

RoadBikeRider newsletter ( http://www.raodbikerider.com -- second only to TE for cycling information, BTW ) a while back suggested single vision lenses with stick on bifocals ( http://www.stickonbifocals.com ). Yeah, sounds corny, but several people swore by them..

[Mr. SR500]

Not sure about mulitfocals, but Tifosi has a great line of Rx frames and can even handle fairly strong correction in a wrap frame.

http://www.tifosioptics.com/rx/index.html

[Tuckervill]

I just wear monovision contacts instead of bifocals. It's not for everyone, but if I had to deal with glasses in order to ride it would probably annoy me so much I wouldn't ride. (I never needed glasses before I was 42.)

Karen

[withm]

I can't wear contacts. :(

The stick-on bifocals.... INteresting. I did see that in Road Bike Rider, and laughed because I've used them in my masks for scuba diving for years. But underwater I'm not trying to read the phone book. I never thought they were that great, but I can try them on a pair of glasses and see how they work. I have enough of them. Somewhere....

[Aint Doody]

I have some Maui Jim curved frames with my distance prescription and a very small bifocal area. It works well for me. For what I paid, they'd better work well!

[copndoc]

I recently bought a pair of prescription sunglasses at my local optometrist for cycling. The frames are Columbia and they have progressive lenses so I can see my computer plus I got them in the Transitions lenses so they get darker and lighter with the UV rays outside. The frame does have a wrap style and they are working great for me. They weren't any more expensive than a pair of Oakleys and I felt better getting them locally so if there is a problem, they will make it good.

"Cycle for your heart & soul"
:D