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

[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

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).

[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.

[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. 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!