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

[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.