DarcyInOregon, about prescription cycling glasses

[tulip]

I have to wear glasses all the time because I have only one good eye and I have to protect it. Contacts won't protect my good eye at all, so I don't skimp on my glasses.

I recently bought a pair of RX Tifosi Alpe shades. I like them alot--they are lightweight, the look good, and they are comfortable. I got them through a bike shop, but you can also order them from the Tifosi website. Some opticians also carry sports goggles and glasses and can help you find a good pair.

[DarcyInOregon]

My optometrist does not sell sports glasses. He gave me my prescription and told me to go to a specific optical shop that specializes in selling all of the brands of sports glasses, including ones specifically for cyclists. When I went to this other optical company, I was greeted by a very knowledgeable lady who told me what type of glasses I needed and what color of glass for the type of sunlight I have. I was able to discuss all of my problems with her. I purchased two Oakleys. It took about 10 days for the prescription to be put in. I don't think I would purchase online because it is real important that the glasses fit well, that I get them fitted to my face by a professional.

The cycling glasses solved all of my problems. When I was wearing my regular glasses, the winter sun was down low on the horizon and it bounced sun rays in through the sides of the frames and up against the inside of the lenses. I was going blind on my rides from the sun glare.

Because the glasses fit well, and because of the shape, the glasses fit up snug to the face, over the eyes, and so other irritating things are solved, like no more bugs flying inside the lenses, or rain getting on the inside.

If you wear bifocals, you can only get the lenses for the far-seeing part. If you need to read anything real close up on a ride, then bring a small magnifying glass, otherwise the far-seeing part is just fine for reading the road signs.

Darcy

[DarcyInOregon]

I should say color of "lens", not glass. I don't think the lens are made of glass.

Darcy

[sandra]

I just called the place where I get my glasses. They do Costa Del Mar and other sport glasses in prescription. Yippeeee!!! Now I just need to get my eyes checked and make sure my prescription is current....sigh....more $$$.

I wear bifocals, but I won't need them for biking. Thanks!!

[DarcyInOregon]

I don't know if I answered your question. The best thing to do is what I did. You tell your optometrist you need cycling glasses, and the optometrist will tell you which optical company in your area specializes in sports glasses. It is typically just one company per region, and it isn't a national franchise operation. Your optometrist prints out your prescription, and you go to the other optical shop. At the specialty shop you get specialized service. There are hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of sports glasses, but the person assisting you will tell you which glasses are best for you. Then a determination is made if the glasses are a correct fit for your face, because as I said, the glasses need to be snug up against the eyes and face, not like regular glasses. That is why I don't think buying online is practical, unless you are getting a pair of glasses identical to a pair you already own. The lens come in a lot of color choices, and the color is meant for the type of sunlight you have in your region, and how you want to see the world through the lens. You can get multiple colors if you want, because there are frame choices where you pop lens in and out to change the color. I live in Oregon and because of the climate here, I felt one color was ok with me. I picked the gray color, which gives the most natural light to my eyes. When the glasses are ready for pickup, the frames are adjusted to the face again for one final fitting.

The result is wonderful, and you end up with glasses that fit real well.

Darcy

[HappyAnika]

I have to plug my glasses, they are from Zeal Optics, http://www.zealoptics.com/ and I love them!

They have a wide selection of sport frames designed to fit women's smaller faces. Even the smallest of Oakleys never fit me well. I have a weak prescription, but having a prescription pair of glasses on the bike is so wonderful, I don't know how I lived without them. The optics are simply incredible. I have the ZB-13 polarized lenses, which is their standard lens, and they are fantastic. (I have a Zooni frame). The prescription lenses are pricey, but so worth it. I wish I'd gotten them sooner. They carry some of their frames at REI, and a lot of them at Title 9, but I don't know if T9 has stores outside CO and CA.