glasses or contacts?

[DrBee]

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???

[DeniseGoldberg]

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

[Veronica]

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.

[short cut sally]

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

[Kimmyt]

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.

[Robbin_G]

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!

[LauraPaura]

Hi Robbin_G

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 ) 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

[uk elephant]

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.

[SalsaMTB]

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!

[DeniseGoldberg]

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 ) 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

[SadieKate]

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.

[Eden]

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.

[Popoki_Nui]

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.

[maillotpois]

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!

[Bike Goddess]

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!