Question for the foureyes out there... sunglasses? lasik?

[tygab]

I have been riding with my normal specs all summer. I would like to get a pair of RX riding/sport glasses with changeable lenses (so if it's not too sunny out I could go with a clear or at least light lense). I definitely squint on sunny days and my eyes get blinded by the pavenment halo sometimes... Shatterproof lenses would be good too.

The problem in locating such items - I have a small face and most typical shades are either super huge on me or don't take RX lenses. Any ideas? Anyone have RX ones today?

I have considered laser eye surg but I have mixed feelings about that, for example around cost (is it really worth it) and potential side effects.

[Sheesh]

I always wore my contacts when riding or doing anything athletic because of the need for sunglasses and not wanting to spend extra money to get RX sunglasses. I have been wearing Smith sunglasses with interchangeable lenses for the last few years and LOVE them. I can change the lenses depending on the brightness of the sun, or activity that I'm doing.

I had PRK (a version of laser eye surgery) in December and LOVE not having to worry about contacts. My husband had LASIK in July and he is also pretty happy. We were lucky enough to be able to use our FLEX spending account through work, so we paid using tax-free money. In that way, it was definitely worth the money.

Good luck with your decision and/or finding glasses that you love!

[melissam]

Hey there, Tygab!

I wanted prescription wrap-around cycling glasses too, because when I rode fast in my regular specs, the air/wind would get between the glasses and my eyes and cause my eyes to water. See, I had to spend the $$, because it's a safety issue! :p

Anyway, my eye doctor's optometry department has cycling frames. We got them filled with my prescription, and I got progressive lenses so they get darker or lighter depending on the amount of light.

I've had them for a couple of months and am pretty happy with them.

Good luck to you!

-- Melissa

[farrellcollie]

I have worn glasses for 40 yrs - I use the type of glasses that have sunglasses with them as an attachment - magnet on the side right now - I have had pairs with clip attachments. My partner has the lenses that change -dark outside / lighten up inside. I also have a pair of rx sunglasses - fairly small lenses - they can put rx dark lenses in almost any frame these days. My current glasses with sunglass attachment are quite small.

[SadieKate]

I'm a skeptic. I only have one pair of eyes and nobody is touching them for elective surgery.

That said. Go to RudyProject's website. I asked this question for my hubby and the highest recommendations were for Rudy. Look for RxDirect in frame lenses. Almost 100% of the comments about the inserts were "I should have gotten the full lens." The extra layer of lenses is just one more place to catch dust, cause extra reflection and loose acuity.

Best to know your Rx when you look because the site will give you info about max base curve, etc. Depending on your RX you may be limited to certain frames due to the wrap of the frame.

Also, try heavy glare.com.

FYI, I just bought the Ekynox SX frames today with the polarized/photochromic lense. I have a very small face (but not a pointy head :p ). The SX designation is for small faces.
https://www.rudyprojectusa.com/products/sunglasses/styles/ekynoxsx.htm

[alpinerabbit]

Try disposable contacts. I wear them for sports only (although I used to wear contacts for years) - they are fairly cheap per shot.

I've had two minor problems, but they are bearable:

Sometimes one turns inside out. It will not fit right and I have lost one right out of my eye on a descent when tears lifted it off the cornea.

Sometimes there's a dud - it will feel unpleasant when put in - I just take the next and it will be fine. That's because they are cast, not ground to fit.

[Bruno28]

You can get malignant melanoma in your eyes.

My dad was recently diagnosed with malignant melanoma from a secondary tumour that grew in a lymph gland in his neck.

When they were searching for the primary site (which they never found in the end) one of the places they looked was in his eyes. I never even knew you could get melanoma there! He was advised that one of the best precautions people could take was to wear sunglasses.

It is rare to get melanoma in your eyes but please protect them - wear good sunglasses.

[divingbiker]

I have Rudy Project Ekynox sunglasses with prescription lenses and I love them. I have a narrow face and they fit perfectly. I tried to use the inserts, but my eyelashes, which are not particularly long, hit the lenses.

Sunglasses aren't going to work in the wintertime when it's dark on my commute and the cold air will make my eyes water, so I just bought (on sale) from Performance the Procyon with Rx inserts so I can use the interchangeable lenses. Much cheaper than Rudy Projects. They're a bit wider than the Rudy Projects, but seem to be ok and my eyelashes don't hit the lenses. Haven't had my prescription put in them yet.

Whatever you do, if you wear bifocals, do not ever think of getting sunglasses without bifocals. Every person I know who did regrets it now. I can't read my bike computer except for the large numbers and I can't read a map, and it's so frustrating.

I'm not a candidate for laser surgery due to an eye condition, or I'd have done it already.

[Nanci]

I had LASIK in 2000, and I am very happy with it. But I still have trouble finding glasses that fit- that don't hurt my nose or temples or get too close so my eyelashes rub or deform when I put my mirror on them...

I was told after eye surgery to _always_ wear sunglasses- both to protect from injury and sun exposure. I'm pretty good about it. Especially since I have some with lighter lenses that I can tolerate for almost all daylight hours.

Nanci

[Bluetree]

I also had LASIK in 2000, for about $4000, after years of wearing disposable lenses. Never regretted it! I still have better than 20-20. I had surgery one day... the next day I drove myself to the follow-up appointment with perfect eyesight.

One note: My night sight was never good before the surgery and that didn't improve much, except for the blurriness was gone. I was told before that going in, so I wasn't surprised, but I thought you should know.

I was also told that it would not prevent the natural aging processes of the eye, although at nearly 40, I haven't seen any effects yet. I have also not had any of the potential side effects: light sensitivity, dry eyes, etc.

[bike4ever]

I'd say go for the Rudy Projects. I have the Exception frame. The cool thing about these is you can flip up your tinted lense if you have to run inside. I also have bifocals, and my prescription works great. I agree with divingbiker - get your bifocals in your glasses. I can see my computer and work on my bike. I can also focus correctly in the distance.

[Duck on Wheels]

I'm with Sadie Kate on this one. I have only one pair of eyes and I NEED them. I'm not taking any chances on surgery making them worse than they are. But I also need to protect them from glare, and protect myself from the accidents glare might cost. I wear either prescription sunglasses or prescription color-changing glasses when riding. I have one pair of each. I also have one plain clear pair and (as of yesterday) one pair specifically for working on the computer. Yep, it's expensive, but you gotta do what you gotta do and I gotta see to work.

When biking I put on a strap to keep my glasses from sliding off my sweaty head, and I carry the other pair (sun- or color-changing as the case may be) in my hydration pack as a spare.

As I ride more (let's not slip in the lazy temptation of "if" here) I figure I'll look into getting prescription biking glasses. Thanks all above for tips on brands. :)

[mimitabby]

I'm one of the lucky ones, one near sighted eye (good for reading) and one far sighted, good for all the rest. (of course the trade off is no drafting, because
i have no depth perception)
But DH just had lazik a year ago and he LOVES it. he still tries to take his glasses off when he goes to wash his face...
But now he can wear stylish sunglasses on the bike instead of dorky clip ons.

[Artisan]

I also had the eye surgery but before it was laser. I had it with the scalpel about 10 years or more ago. In my opinion it was the best money I ever spent. No fussing with contacts or glasses anymore other than having a really good pair of sunglasses. I don't know what the side effects would be now with the new lasers, I only have a star burst effect at night with lights because mine was done with the scalpel. I would think that the new laser techniques that they do now would have eliminated that.

[Tuckervill]

Whatever you do, if you wear bifocals, do not ever think of getting sunglasses without bifocals. Every person I know who did regrets it now. I can't read my bike computer except for the large numbers and I can't read a map, and it's so frustrating.

Luckily I realized that would be a big frustration for me, too. I only started wearing glasses last August, and I went straight to bifocals (hated having glasses around my neck, etc.) I always wore sunglasses when needed before that. I probably went through 4 pairs of clip-ons for my glasses in the last year because I refuse to carry a purse large enough to hold anything bigger than my license and debit card.

So this August at my annual check up, I spent two hours with my (very cute young) optometrist, weighing my options. I ended up with monovision contact lenses. One eye is for near and one eye is for far. The brain kind of knows what to do with that. It's my 4th day wearing the contacts (which I've never worn before) and I seem to be adjusting fine. And, on this morning's ride I wore SUNGLASSES AGAIN! YIPPEE!!

I am going to buy some cycling glasses so I can have clear lenses for cloudy days. So, monovision is an options for bifocal wearers, too.

Karen

[Trek420]

Voting with SK. Although my opthamologist says that Lasik seems to be reliable provided you do the research to find an experienced surgeon I'm not taking any chances on my sight.

I got photogreys, have been wearing those for years. Recently got a seperate pair of reading glasses for the PC at work. Next stop bifocals :eek:

Thanks for the link to Rudy, I'll consider that. On cold days my first 5 miles I tear up and wrap around could prevent that.

[Bluetree]

Voting with SK. Although my opthamologist says that Lasik seems to be reliable provided you do the research to find an experienced surgeon I'm not taking any chances on my sight.


Absolutely! Do the research. At the time of my surgery I was working with some pro athletes and through them found the surgeon who did the eyes of several members of the Lakers. I still did some background checking and asked for references.

At first I had some trepidation, as my livelihood depends on my eyesight. But I was nearsighted and my case was among the simplest to correct. Had I had any doubt, I might not have done it, but all my checking made me pretty confident in the results.

[tygab]

Hi all,

Thanks for the great responses. I really appreciate the links to the Rudy specs, these look like they could work well for me. I have to get my prescription from my eye doc but I think that shouldn't be too hard.

I am definitely very nervous about the laser surgery. I know several people who have had it and love it, most say they should have done it earlier and report no problems. But my worrying mind counters with what if you are the one person who has troubles? That is a big mental hurdle and truthfully I don't really mind wearing glasses.

I used to wear contacts years ago but my eyes always feel very dry in them. And there are the times where one falls out etc. I think the last time I can remember wearing them was to go snorkeling along a reef in Key West, and one got washed right out of my eye, which meant I not only didn't see fish, I didn't enjoy the experience as I was worried I wouldn't see the boat distance with my the other eye. Drifting out into the ocean did not sound like fun and offshore the currents were decent!

I will probably keep thinking about surgery though. The idea of seeing normally is very alluring, especially for something like scuba/swimming...

Edit: BTW I will add that I now see an eye doc, who listened to what I was saying about my vision, and I have two separate pairs of specs. One pair is for road driving (and riding) and movies, etc and just smooths out the distance depth perception. But I have another pair I wear at work which is for computer work, reading, close up things. I do not need bifocals - they are just different strengths of distance sighted. Kind of hard to explain but it works well for me. This after determining my prior prescription was too strong!

[Fredwina]

One thing you may to note on "clip over sunglasses" I had a pair and riding when I fell and Had to get stitches. Sound the Magnetized ones would be better.
I wear Bifocals. Currently have a pair of "Fashion" sunglasses, which work well. I've thought about getting a pair of "sports" with the just the distance scripts in them, I only need the reading part for really fine print right now. I'd also like to have them with photosensitive lens, I do wind schlepping the other pair when I know I'm going to be in a Low light situation

[roadie gal]

I tried and failed contact lenses a long time ago.

I have a pair of Zeal prescription sunglasses. They give a deal on getting 3 interchangeable lenses with a frame. I've been very happy with them and they are considerably cheaper than the Rudy Project (no name recognition yet, I guess).

[terpin]

I also have Rudy Projects and they are so great to wear when riding. I can slip in my prescription, or remove it if I choose to wear contacts. Very interchangable and very comfortable. And to top it off, they match my bike.

[bike4ever]

For those riding in traditional glasses, cycling glasses offer two forms of protection. One is they usually wrap tight around your face to prevent debris from getting into your eyes. They other advantage is not as obvious - they protect your eyes if/when you fall. I realized this back in April when I crashed and landed on my left cheek. Although I broke my helmet, what was impressive was the damage to my older Rudy Projects - divots in the lense (looked like someone took a router to my glasses). My frames bent quite well, and I took this as a chance to get new ones.:p I can't image what would have happened to my eye if I had been in my regular glasses.

[PinkBike]

i wore contacts for almost twenty years, but couldn't wear them when riding.

on my very first ever road bike group ride in 1997, halfway into the ride one contact fell out, i rode the last 20 miles with one contact in.

so after that i always wore glasses, transition lenses (photogreys), eventually bifocals.

three months ago i got PRK surgery (a form of LASIK), and it is outstanding!

i opted for the one eye for distance, the other for closeup, that's how my contacts were set up, and i've had ZERO problems!!!! should have done it a long time ago.

now when i ride in the day i wear tifosi sunglasses (a nice shade of magenta with a dark lens), and at night i wear some cheapo sports sunglasses with a really light lens.

i still do the same as mimitabby's DH, start to remove my glasses before i wash my face only to realize i don't have glasses anymore!! yoohoo!!!
and i can wear real sunglasses. yoohoo!!! gives me another chance to SHOP!! for new sunglasses!! yoohoo!

[velogirl]

Absolutely! Do the research. At the time of my surgery I was working with some pro athletes and through them found the surgeon who did the eyes of several members of the Lakers. I still did some background checking and asked for references.

Dr. Mark Mandel in San Jose? He was my doc for lasik and my sister's for RFK (20 years ago?). Oh, the Lakers, as in LA. You mean the other south bay, don't you?

I had lasik in 2000 specifically because I didn't want to deal with my contacts on the AIDS Ride. It's the best thing I've ever done for myself! While my eyes are still perfect (20/20 and 20/25), my astigmatism has come back a bit so I just started wearing glasses again both for distance and close work. I haven't been wearing them when I ride but will probably get a prescription at some point.

BTW, my doc theorizes that because I had the surgery while I was hypo-thyroid, and now I'm hyper-thyroid, this has caused the change in my vision. I just think I'm getting old.

[dingster1]

I'm with Tygab on the surgery. I think I"ll have to stickwith glasses/contacts.