glasses or contacts?

I am considering getting contacts. I've been wearing glasses for about 6 years now, but I've never really embraced them. My current pair is somewhat mishapen - I have a 2 yr old son...need I say more...

Anyway - I have been tossing the idea around about getting contacts and my husband brought up that now that I'm used to glasses that the wind in my eyes while riding might be wierd/unpleasant. I have gotten used to the protection the glasses offer - especially from bugs during the early morning rides in the summer.

Any thoughts???

I used to wear contacts (before Lasik, that is). I always rode with my contacts + sunglasses. Wearing contacts fixes the vision problems, but wearing sunglasses (tinted lenses or clear depending on the light, of course) is a safety measure for your eyes. It's too easy to have something fly into an unprotected eye when you're riding to go out without glasses of some sort.

So if contacts feel like the right solution for you - give them a try. But get yourself some good sunglasses too. I like Smith sunglasses with interchangeable lenses. I believe other manufacturers offer interchangeable lenses too, which is great for shifting light conditions.

--- Denise

I wear contacts and generally wear sunglasses with them. Once it's dark, though, the glasses come off. I have lost a contact on a couple of occassions. I wear disposables so now I just make sure I have extra pairs in my saddle bag.

V.

I also wear glasses, but wear contacts while out riding. I don't have prescription sun glasses and when I wear my contacts I can do so. I also get more protection from my sunglasses as they wrap around more than my prescription glasses do. I purchased sunglasses with the interchangable colored lenses for different riding times/conditions. I think they were on sale at Performance last year for around $25-$30, and they were smaller framed more for a woman. After wearing glasses, (prescription or otherwise) it's hard to ride without them, for what was said about debris and bugs. Good luck in whatever you decide. shelly

I don't wear glasses or contacts while riding, but I dislike bugs in my eyes as much as anyone. I started wearing safety glasses when I ride, and they work great! Especially because the ones I borrowed from work are shaped like Oakleys but with clear lenses. I have another pair that I use that come in a tinted sunglass like color, and I think they are made by a company that makes shooting glasses. You should check out the gun section of your local outdoor supplier, they might have some affordable and even semi-fashionable (also functional if you look for the kind that wrap around your face) clear eyewear that you can wear when you're riding to keep the wind from drying out your contacts and keep bugs from your eyes.

K.

Lasik!!

I had Lasik about 6-8 weeks ago and then bought a pair of Native Eyewear sport glasses with interchangeable lenses. I love it!

Hi Robbin_G

Quote:

---

Lasik!!

I had Lasik about 6-8 weeks ago and then bought a pair of Native Eyewear sport glasses with interchangeable lenses. I love it!

---

Can I ask hoe did it go and how much was it alltogether? I've been thinking about this myself for a long time now since I have really bad eyesight (-10 in right eye = almost blind :rolleyes: ) but have still been scared if something goes wrong and if it hurts and so on. So I'd appreciate every comment on this.

And to fishdr

I strongly recommend contacts if you feel comfortable with then. I've been using contacts for over ten years now and I have never regretted. Some people feel uncomfortable with them though so try out before you buy an expensive pair (like my poor friend did..).

Laura P

I definitely recommend contacts if you can get used to them. I find that when wearing glasses I have very limited field of vision, especially on a bike. I end up looking over the top of the glasses or to the side of them and then not seeing clearly. With contacts you have your full field of vision, even periferal vision intact. If you are worried about bugs/dust in your eyes, wear a pair of sunglasses. And always bring a little bottle of saline solution to flush out dust if you do get something in your eyes. That is my solution anyway.

I wear contacts all the time, only wear glasses when I'm getting ready for bed. I would definitely recommend going to contacts, you don't even notice they're in and might make life a little easier with the kids.

I wear protective glasses for riding at all times, including night time riding. I have a sunglass collection to give variety, but really only one pair with different lenses would be needed. I got a pair of Tofosi for reasonable and they include clear, dark, and slightly tinted lenses. They work well, although I do have an issue with fogging occasionally.

Just out of curiousity, do you have perscription sunglasses that are an athletic style? I know my normal glasses do not have a sporty fit and would be terrible for riding. They're looser on my head and don't give that much coverage. Athletic oriented sunglesses are extremely comfortable, tighter fitting so they don't move around at all, and give great coverage!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by LauraPaura

Hi Robbin_G
Can I ask how did it go and how much was it alltogether? I've been thinking about this myself for a long time now since I have really bad eyesight (-10 in right eye = almost blind :rolleyes: ) but have still been scared if something goes wrong and if it hurts and so on. So I'd appreciate every comment on this.

Laura P

---

I had Lasik back in 2000, and I've been very happy with it. That said, my post-Lasik vision is not quite 20/20. It's good in that since at 53 I still don't need reading glasses where with 20/20 vision I would need them. I have glasses that I use for driving at night, but I don't need them other than that. (At the time, I checked into a second procedure to get to 20/20 - but my eyes wouldn't support a second surgery. In spite of that I'm still very happy with the results. My pre-Lasik vision wasn't as bad as yours, but in the overall scheme of things it was pretty bad - around a -6.5 in both eyes.)

I was pretty freaked out because I couldn't see clearly immediately after the procedure. It took a couple of hours of closed eyes at home (I think I actually slept) and then my vision was very clear. I've talked to some folks who said their vision was perfectly clear immediately after the procedure and to others that had a similar experience to mine. At the time I had my procedure there weren't the profileration of Lasik centers; the doc I went to had been doing Lasik since the beginning and she also trains other docs in Lasik procedures. I'm a little conservative when it comes to doing things like this; I suspect I would make the same choice of physician today even though the costs were higher.

--- Denise

Contacts with wrap around sunglasses such as Smith Sliders with interchangeable lenses or Specialized with the photochromatic lenses. My vision is so poor that I am unable to ride in glasses because I have absolutely no peripheral vision.

I wear Ciba Vision Focus Night and Day 30-day extended wear disposables. Love em. Incredibly comfortable and don't even notice they're there.

Glasses are a must even for people who don't need their vision corrected. There is too much stuff flying around in the area at high speeds that can do damage, not to mention the constant drying effect on the cornea. Sunlight exposure is also tied to cataracts.

Not being a suitable candidate for Lasik and never really taking a shine to contacts I've gone with a good pair of wrap around sports glasses with perscription photosensitive lenses - the kind that go from clear to dark the brighter it is outside. I could have also gone with the style that has your perscription clipped into the inside, several brands allow for this Rudy's, Performance, etc. and it would have given me the option to have interchangable lenses (red, yellow, clear, dark), but I was concerned about the field of vision and frankly didn't like the way they looked.

Lots of great info here. Probably the most important thing to remember; as uk_elephant mentioned...ALWAYS bring a bottle of contact lens-specific saline solution or high quality artificial tears on your ride, a small contact lens case, and as other said...always wear close fitting UV eye protection. It's a good idea to apply some saline to each eye when you stop for a break (or every hour or so if you're not stopping) even if your eyes/contacts don't feel dry. It isn't just the bugs and grit that can cause problems....protein buildup between the lens and cornea can cause irritation too. Keeping the lens and cornea moist (even if they don't feel dry) and flushing out grit and protein can help avoid problems later. And for heavens sake...if you feel like you have a bit of grit or some irritation in your eye, stop and flush with saline. If that doesn't resolve it, remove the lens! I've seen too many patients who thought the irritation would "just go away", and ended up in real trouble. Wear your contacts, but know the care needed to keep your eyes happy! :)
~Sherry.

Contacts + sunglasses! In the rain I usually don't wear the sunglasses.

I scratched my cornea a few months back and had to be in glasses for a month. I hated riding in glasses - no peripheral vision at all!! And I was not comfortable pacelining as usual, because I just couldn't see to the sides and down. You don't realize how much you take for granted.

One of my riding partners just got Lasik and was thrilled with it. I consider it on and off, but I had this weird dream a few years back where I went blind and couldn't see my daughter's wedding. Freaky, and stupid, I know! Anyway Lasik seems like a great alternative!

I've been wearing hard contact lenses since 1958. While I have used them for most every activity in my younger years, since I started cycling I have found that when it is windy I'm better off in my glasses. I just can't stand it when I get get dirt particles in my eyes.

My doctor recently prescribed glasses that change color with the light, so I can use them anytime of the day or night. I too am extremely nearsighted, so contacts are preferable, but since I got my new glasses, it's been easier to ride on windy days!

Hi, no matter what you do to your eyes, (Lasik or contacts) it's still nice to have glasses when you're riding for sun, wind, bugs, stuff that gets flung up off the road, branches, etc.

I wore glasses since 6th grade, until I got contacts as soon as soft contacts became available. I was the worst contact abuser in history, and never took them out. I had Lasik surgery on my -6 diopter eyes in 2000. Like Denise, I didn't have perfect vision the second after the surgery, and freaked out. But by morning, it was 20/40, which is _legal_ to drive, if you don't want to see the street signs or anything :-) It gradually improved over the course of a few months, and even more every year, and it now 20/15, plus I can read all the 20/13 characters that aren't round (C,G,O). I'm 47, though, and the eye doc told me if I had Lasik I would need reading glasses five years sooner than I would have without it, and I am feeling like right now I can't read teeny tiny print, but still read books, computer screens, etc. just fine. I just don't want to go back to even reading glasses until the last possible second, since it is like a miracle to not have to wear glasses or contacts now, and I've almost blanked it out of my mind that I ever had to...

A friend of mine at work went in to get screened for Lasik, and found out that she had some sort of eye disease that she wouldn't have known about until it got really bad, if she hadn't had that work up done. (They advised her not to have Lasik.)

Nanci

I know . . . let's start a thread on who is the most nearsighted!!! :p Maybe there is a correlation between calf size and poor eyesight?

Sadie "shrinking arms" Kate

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SadieKate

I know . . . let's start a thread on who is the most nearsighted!!! :p Maybe there is a correlation between calf size and poor eyesight?

---

If I'm not the MOST nearsighted, I'm sure I'm close! (Right eye contact power is -13.5):eek:

My glasses are super thick and heavy! I would not be able to ride with them. The contacts work great for me except when it is windy or dusty. I always carry little tubes of saline with me just in case.

Wow! What great responses! I get the hint - get sunglasses/interchangeable lenses and get the contacts. ;) I am most definitely not a good candidate for Lasik. My eyes may be, however they would have to strap me down and knock me out in order to do surgery on eyes. I'm too much of a wimp. :eek: I don't have any qualms (sp?) about putting contacts in, though. Odd, I guess.

I will keep in mind to carry saline and the case with me.

Thanks so much for your advice! I'll let you know how it goes - I'm going to the eye doctor next week.

Nope, I'm the same way. I only have the two eyes and nobody's doing nothing to 'em.

I'm only a measly -7 contact power. Wimpy calves, wimpy eyes.

I'm wimpier at - 5.50. Perfect timing for this discussion, though. Just got dilated so everything's a bit blurry. Sigh!

contacts w/sunglasses... if i'm going out after work this time of year.. when i'm trying to beat sunset to get home... i take my performance glasses with amber lenses to change to when it's too dark for my oakleys.. on the few occasions i've ridden after dark... i wear the performance glasses w/clear lenses... i always wear something over my eyes on the bike!

Okay - now that we all agree that it is important to have some eye protection - what's your pick for the best sunglasses that are reasonable priced?

well... i can't help in the reasonably priced department... i only wear oakleys!

i have 2 for cycling (had blue half jackets originally and had to get black/silver to wear when riding ruby!) loved the clarity so much... i got a pair of their cork haylons for every day... and loved those so much.. but coveted black every days... that i got a pair of black haylons too....

so i only wear oakleys! (we don't discuss this at home though.. hubby doesn't understand why i neede four pair of oakley! :rolleyes: :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool:)

But I love my Natives (www.nativeeyewear.com). For one thing, all native dark lenses are polarized. Very cool when around water, but will spoil you in general. They have a lifetime warranty - you pay $20 and they send you a new pair - even if you run over them, etc. Just doesn't cover loss. Also, they have an anti-occular intrusion system which is supposed to keep the lenses from hitting you face in the event of a fall.

Plus, they look good to me and I could buy them locally:)

Just be sure they're sporty--with some wrap around. I got really "smart" last year and decided I needed some prescription sunglasses with a bifocal in them so that I could read the map on a cycling trip. Well, they had pretty big lenses--older pair of frames that were on sale. I could read the maps alright, but when I was going downhill, they were so huge that the wind got behind the lenses and I cried all the way down the hills--couldn't see a d@#n thing thru the tears! Well, they're good for being on a cruise and reading in the sun! I just take somebody with me to read maps.

Another advocate for Lasik here ...
Had the procedure around 3 years ago as my prescription was around -8.

It was the best decision I ever made and changed the quality of my life 100%. My eyesight was so bad that when I was younger, myself and a group of friends used to go swimming in our lunchbreaks. We got to know the lifeguards fairly well - on nodding terms at least. One day I was swimming up the pool and smiled a big beamy smile to the lifeguard standing on the side. It was only when I was inches away, that I realised I'd been grinning at the spinal board!

In terms of cycling, it's been fantastic. No more pieces of grit rendering you blind, with the added sensation of red hot pins in your eyes (and why is it that once you get grit in one eye, you can be sure a piece will lodge itself in the other, 20 yards down the road?!).

As far as the Lasik goes - the most painful part of the procedure is the soul searching and nervousness before the operation. It's over in about 20 minutes. I didn't feel a thing - with the exception of them fitting the equipment.
Like Denise, I panicked big-style after the op because my vision was blurry and I thought it hadn't worked - and my eyesight was worse than before.
But the body is an amazing piece of equipment - and I never realised this moreso than after the procedure.
Immediately after Lasik my eyes were streaming, red, blurry and incredibly light sensitive. Two hours later, after having napped and rested the eyes, my vision was perfect - 20/20, the eyes had stopped streaming, and I could see perfectly.

I cried for about 2 days solid, from sheer joy. And 3 years later, I still wake up sometimes and marvel at the fact I can see!

Ultimately though, it's always a leap of faith - the consent form is enough to make you change your mind right there, but it wasn't a decision I took lightly - I'd been deliberating for the last 10 years.
My optician tried to talk me out of it, saying the technology wasn't advanced enough to produce lasting results and I should wait another 10 years, but it seemed to me that he had a conflict of interest and that another 10 years would be more detrimental in terms of quality of life lost, than benefits gained.

I took a calculated risk that even if it improved my prescription by 50% or less, it was worth it to me because my vision was so bad. I also had a one-shot chance as my corneas are too thin to have a repeat procedure.

In short (after rambling so long!), having Lasik was the best decision I ever made - but everyone should make their own informed choice/decision as to whether it's right for them and they're willing to take the chance that all may not work out.

I hated wearing lenses on the bike because ultimately I'd get that piece of grit which would send me reeling into the side of the road, unable to open my eyes. Glasses never worked for me because I couldn't get peripheral vision from them and therefore had a massive blindspot.

This is a very timely topic, I've been thinking about this a lot lately.

I'm really resistant to the idea of getting contact lenses. The reason why is that I am mildly nearsighted and my vision up close for reading/computer work is just fine. I always my glasses off for near work, otherwise I get eyestrain and a headache. So, I'm constantly putting them on and taking them off, and I wouldn't want to do this for contacts. For just going on a long ride it might be worth it, but the thought of commuting to work with contacts in and then sitting in front of my computer all day just makes me want to cry. :rolleyes:

Right now I switch back and forth between prescription glasses and prescription sunglasses when riding. The sunglasses are ok, but my glasses are more fashionable and don't provide much in the way of wind protection. I find myself almost blinded on windy days or going down long downhills - not very safe! :eek:

For other sports (dirtbiking and skiing) I had to look forever to find goggles that fit over glasses, which really limits what I can use, and there is still the limited field of vision. I don't want to purchase prescription everything for each different sport-specific eyewear, so I started googling around and found these prescription insert adapters by SportRX. Has anyone tried these?

Any suggestions?


ETA: My vision is already quite good that Lasik would probably not give me much benefit.

Well, yes, the nervousness is the worst part. The valium helped.

My Rx wasn't as bad as some (-3.5) but thats bad enough for the big E to be a giant blob. Since my Rx was so low it was about 30 seconds of laser time per eye. I also had lasEk which is different than lasik. Recovery time is longer but a safer procedure. I pretty much spent the whole weekend with my eyes closed. I'm 20/20 now and he said I should be 20/15 if I keep hydrated and on the meds. I sometimes think I already am 20/15 but focus too hard on the eye chart. :-)

I had the surgery so I wouldn't have to carry around all the stuff, replace lost things, etc.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Dianyla

ETA: My vision is already quite good that Lasik would probably not give me much benefit.

---

Actually, I would have a consultation. Those places that say $299 per eye or for VERY light RX's

Quote:

---

Originally posted by SnappyPix:

It was the best decision I ever made and changed the quality of my life 100%. My eyesight was so bad that when I was younger, myself and a group of friends used to go swimming in our lunchbreaks. We got to know the lifeguards fairly well - on nodding terms at least. One day I was swimming up the pool and smiled a big beamy smile to the lifeguard standing on the side. It was only when I was inches away, that I realised I'd been grinning at the spinal board!

---

SnappyPix I can totally relate to your story! When I was younger we went swmming with my class. We must've been there for a while when I finally realised I had ben talking to complete strangers the whole time. Horrible experience for a little girl that I was..

Thank you all for your experiences with the Lasik thing. I'm still a little sceptical about it and might just wait five more years (also to hustle up the 1000 euros per eye it's going to cost me :p ).

Oh by the way Adventure Girl, I'm sorry but I'm so happy that I finally found someone who has worse eyesight than me. I'm only -10 on the right one and -9,5 on the left one :D

Laura P

I go back and forth between glasses and contacts but when I wear contacts I see better, things look crisp, than when I am wearing glasses. I also have several pair of sunglasses including a pair with clear lenses for riding at night.
I am not sure what you consider a reasonable price for sunglasses but www.rei-outlet.com has several brands with and with out interchangeable lens for $60.00 or less. Jones

Ewwww....contacts?! You mean...sticking ym fingers into my eye! Eep!

Glasses here. Even if I wasn't just plain chicken, contacts would be prohibitively expensive for me since I wear progressives and have bad astigmatism.

I never thought to tie the tearing up thing with my glasses though... I was thinking about wearing my lab goggles just to keep the wind out of my eyes somewhat (Okay, so I'd look like Bill Nye the Science Guy, but man is it ever windy here), but now I'm wondering if the vents would just make it worse...

For the OP, for your next pair of glasses, you might think about getting a set of titanium frames from 39dollareyeglasses.com. I absolutely love mine, they are so light and strong. They have much cheaper frames, but with a toddler ti sounds like it might be the way to go! (Too bad I can't have a matching bike ;) )

Worn contacts since the days of old hard lenses (since 1968). The new contacts are a true marvel. So light and easy to load into the eye. I forget I have them on. They are easy to get used to, easy to care for and definitely make a difference with my vision. I still wear protective eyegear when riding, generally sunglasses, but I would wear something no matter what. A plus, something like an Oakley frame made for sports will wrap around the face to provide complete protection and afford the ability to trade out lenses for certain weather condition. Regular eye glasses won't do that or neither would prescription sunglasses. I've never lost a lens out of my eye. I do carry a small vial of wetting drops just in case I need to remove the lens for cleaning and reinserting. No question contacts for me.

And you do get use to touching your eye. I can literally hold my finger against my cornea without a problem. You just get use to it.

I had Lasik about a year ago, after 37 years of wearing glasses, and 30 years of contacts. My vision was like LauraPaura's, -10 in one eye, -12 in the other, legally blind if uncorrected. Nevertheless, I was scared to death to let them take a laser beam to my eyes. I didn't have much, but I could see! It's understandable to fear losing what you do have.

The week of the Lasik was hard--I spent many hours having various things tested with my eyes Monday, and then spent Wed at the eye clinic. They give you something like Valium--I don't think I'd take it again, because I turn into such a whiney baby :p . The actual procedure is pretty brief, less than 10 min per eye. They gave me something to hold onto--a stuffed animal of some sort--by eye #2, I begged one of the nurses to hold my hand, and was talking to the MD in Spanish, pleading with him not to hurt me. Sheesh. Like I say. Valium. :rolleyes:

It was painful to hold my eyes open for however long it was, and to look right at a bright light. I was scared the whole time. I wouldn't open my eyes at first in the recovery room. When they finally got me to open my eyes, I read the clock on the wall. That felt like a miracle. I couldn't see well enough to read that evening, and my BF had to help me figure out which of the many eye drops to put in when. I slept with goggles on for days, as per instructions. I showered with goggles on. By day #3, my vision was perfect. On day #5, I broke up with said BF (long time in coming), and worried mainly that crying would hurt my eyes! (It didn't)

So, after all that, would I do it again? YES! In a heartbeat. My vision is perfect. I don't even need reading glasses any more, although I know I will again, as I age. I swim with nice quality goggles, I run and ride with sunglasses, ranging from dark to clear, based on the light, and I always have eye drops with me. At first the driness was really bad, but it's quite manageable now. I can see everything, all the time. It's as if those 37 years of progressive nearsightedness never happened.

Research it well, don't make your decision based on price, and go for it if it feels right! I've never regretted it. I've just started seeing a new guy, and it's especially nice to be able to see the person I'm kissing! :p

Best wishes, Lise

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Dianyla

This is a very timely topic, I've been thinking about this a lot lately.

I'm really resistant to the idea of getting contact lenses. The reason why is that I am mildly nearsighted and my vision up close for reading/computer work is just fine. I always my glasses off for near work, otherwise I get eyestrain and a headache. So, I'm constantly putting them on and taking them off, and I wouldn't want to do this for contacts. For just going on a long ride it might be worth it, but the thought of commuting to work with contacts in and then sitting in front of my computer all day just makes me want to cry. :rolleyes:

.

---

I wear contacts all day. I am very nearsighted! Almost blind without glasses. The contacts correct my nearsightedness. While at the computer I wear reading glasses because at 55 I have become far sighted as well (it's sad I have this narrow little band where I can see without any glasses or contacts). I only need the reading glasses while at the computer so I leave them there and don't carry them around.

I think you will be surprised at how well you can see with contacts. My glasses don't come close!!!!! Wearing reading glasses will eliminate any eye strain. Plus like anything else, you need to remember to look away from the computer at regular intervals etc.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by maillotpois

I'm wimpier at - 5.50. Perfect timing for this discussion, though. Just got dilated so everything's a bit blurry. Sigh!

---

You guys know that the number say -13 or 5.50 reflects the curvature of your eye vs. the degree of nearsighted or farsightedness. What you really need to compare is eyeglass presciptions. For instance in my left eye I am 320/20 and right I am 275/20. My contact presciption is 5.50 for the left and 4.75 for my right. I don't think there is a correlation betwent he eye curvature and lack of vision but I may be wrong.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that for up close work it hurts my eyes to wear any kind of corrective lens. I'm always taking glasses off to read or work on the computer. It's almost like I need bifocals, except the reading part of the bifocal would have zero prescription. Is this possible?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Dianyla

I guess what I'm trying to say is that for up close work it hurts my eyes to wear any kind of corrective lens. I'm always taking glasses off to read or work on the computer. It's almost like I need bifocals, except the reading part of the bifocal would have zero prescription. Is this possible?

---

I understand completely - what will happen if you get contacts is that you will have to use reading glasses while at the computer but no need to take them on or off. Think of it like a bifocal. The glasses would be the bottom portion and your contacts (and looking over the glasses) would be the top. The nice thing about reading glasses - they are cheap and you can get different strengths. I would start at something like a 1 or 1.25 and go from there. I eliminate the "woosy" part of reading bifocals by just taking the glasses off when I leave my computer.

It's worth talking to your optomalogist (s?) about.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bcipam

You guys know that the number say -13 or 5.50 reflects the curvature of your eye vs. the degree of nearsighted or farsightedness. What you really need to compare is eyeglass presciptions. For instance in my left eye I am 320/20 and right I am 275/20. My contact presciption is 5.50 for the left and 4.75 for my right. I don't think there is a correlation betwent he eye curvature and lack of vision but I may be wrong.

---

Not in my case. Contact lens power is expressed in units called diopters. Contact lenses that correct nearsightedness have a minus (-) lens power. Lenses that correct farsightedness have a plus (+) power. My power is actually -13.5.

My base curve is 8.6. That is the measurement of the radius of curvature in millimeters of the inside curve.