Eye problems for glasses wearer on longer rides

snapplejacks

Hi,
I first put this topic over on the Science/Eyes thread but was getting no response.

I recently took up road riding and was having no major eye problems with distances up to and including 20 miles or so. I wear normal spectacles on my rides.


Now though with improving fitness I am able to go up to 25 - 30 miles I have a major problem with bloodshot eyes. I am quite sure it is not hayfever related, though i might be wrong, but i never had bloodshot eyes on my shorter rides while out in similar conditions.

Do i maybe need to wear some sort of a sports goggle (something that might require a prescription insert) ?

I appreciate any response from those who might have experienced this before.

Paul.

Canis Lupus

You need cycling shades that cut out the wind (it's not just to look good that cyclists wear them). I got mine from Optilabs in the UK. Expensive but worth it. Alternatively just get non prescription ones and use contact lenses. Whatever floats your boat.

snapplejacks

but do my ordinary glasses not cut out the wind effect in the same way as the cycling shades do ? I don't want to spend money on something that's just going to be the same as my ordinary glasses.

Is wind effect on the eye one of the primary benefits of cycling shades ?

AIR-AUSSIE

chances are wind can get in from the sides, below and above your glasses. Cycling glasses will have a closer fit to your face preventing this.

Canis Lupus

snapplejacks wrote: »

but do my ordinary glasses not cut out the wind effect in the same way as the cycling shades do ? I don't want to spend money on something that's just going to be the same as my ordinary glasses.

Is wind effect on the eye one of the primary benefits of cycling shades ?

Pretty much. If you have a mate with a pair just try them out IF you can manage a safe cycle without your glasses. You should see the difference.

Even with your normal glasses have you not noticed you're full of snot from the wind making your eyes water?

snapplejacks

I'm just googling around for various goggle type sunglasses. Say for example i was to get some like these
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ladgecom-All-Weather-Sunglasses-Goggles-Cycling/dp/B001TGZVTO/ref=sr_1_18?s=sports&ie=UTF8&qid=1342264644&sr=1-18

Could i then also get a prescription insert for them somewhere ? does a prescription insert need to be specific to the same make of the goggles ?
( i don't wear contact lenses as they've irritated my eyes in the past )

griffin100

I've worn normal prescription glasses on 6hr plus rides with no problems. Might be the shape of your glasses not offering any protection.

snapplejacks

griffin100 wrote: »

I've worn normal prescription glasses on 6hr plus rides with no problems. Might be the shape of your glasses not offering any protection.

maybe, i've a smaller frames size

Mycroft H

griffin100 wrote: »

I've worn normal prescription glasses on 6hr plus rides with no problems. Might be the shape of your glasses not offering any protection.

I've never noticed a problem with my glasses, they aren't a narrow frame though

rurs

snapplejacks wrote: »

I'm just googling around for various goggle type sunglasses. Say for example i was to get some like these
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ladgecom-All-Weather-Sunglasses-Goggles-Cycling/dp/B001TGZVTO/ref=sr_1_18?s=sports&ie=UTF8&qid=1342264644&sr=1-18

Could i then also get a prescription insert for them somewhere ? does a prescription insert need to be specific to the same make of the goggles ?
( i don't wear contact lenses as they've irritated my eyes in the past )

You need to get a set which come with their own insert, then get the insert glazed by an optician, or get a set of goggles designed for prescription lenses.

I was going to go with general sports goggles, but went with cycling specific ones in the end.

I've had a set of these for the last 6 months or so, great value. You get the various colours of shades too, which you don't have the option of with the goggles.

I went to a local optician to get the insert filled, it cost €45 for the prescription. You could use an online optician to save a few quid.

There are other options, where the prescription lens is the only one, and this is shaded, but that'll run to around €200, eg Oakleys.

pc11

On long rides I usually wear contacts and snug-fitting wraparound sunglasses (the wrap around bit is very important for UV protection).

But, sometimes I just use those overglasses you can get in some chemists and wear them over my ordinary glasses. They work fine and they're not expensive. I've even used them running before and they don't look totally silly. They are ideal for driving though, I always keep them stashed in the car.

titanan

I got a pair of these and they are spot on, excellent eye coverage from the wind and debris and the ability to read a GPS, map or road signs saves the hassle of carrying expensive specs about.
http://www.gladestry.com/Project/AudaxRoutes/

Bluefoam

What about a pair of Oakley like these http://www.oakley.com/products/6667/24876

You can get prescription lenses too...

snapplejacks

Bluefoam wrote: »

What about a pair of Oakley like these http://www.oakley.com/products/6667/24876

You can get prescription lenses too...

they would be perfect, but that price tag is putting me right off. I'm looking for an all-in equivalent for under 40 euro

Pablo Rubio

I use these , they're pretty good and make a big difference.
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=47387

will cost you about €30-40 for the prescription lenses to be made for the inserts.

I'm waiting for these to come in to have as cheap spares.
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=29492

Popoutman

For a much lower price and greater range - try here for the glasses, assuming you know your own prescription. Proper prescription sports glasses with inserts are available, and at a lot lower cost than your local Specsavers.

Gasco

I use contacts and relatively cheap cycling specific shades. On the rare occasion I have cycled with my normal glasses I have experienced streaming eyes and much discomfort. In fact I think that the position on the road bike causes the air to be funneled over the glasses into the eyes.
I could test this by not wearing any glasses, but then I would run into cars, people, horses etc. as my eyesight is quite poor.

I presume the need to deflect wind from the eyes is why cycling specific shades are close fitting and sit quite high.

avalon68

If you know your prescription you can usually order wrap around prescription glasses online. Much cheaper than in store. The shape is what makes the difference.....my old pair of regular glasses used to funnel air right into my eyes for some reason.....very uncomfortable. My new frame is much better, but I'm looking into just buying the wrap arounds after my next eye test.

zing

Bluefoam wrote: »

What about a pair of Oakley like these http://www.oakley.com/products/6667/24876

You can get prescription lenses too...

Downside to Oakleys is that the prescription lenses apparently only go up to +2.00 for any of the frames I was looking at (half jackets, etc..). On the other end of the scale they go to something like -5 so will suit loads of people but I take +2.5/+3 so they're out for me which was very disappointing. So I've recently gotten contacts and picked up a couple of cheap pairs of wrap arounds in Aldi last week so that combination will do me for now. Still planning on getting decent oakleys or similar but at least they'll cost me less now without the prescription lenses

nomdeboardie

Canis Lupus wrote: »

... have you not noticed you're full of snot from the wind making your eyes water?

Never occurred to me to try cycling in my Oakleys to combat this. Thanks!

com1

I was having similar issues streaming eyes, bloodshot eyes and dry eyes with normal glasses. Got a pair of prescription Oakleys (brilliant but expensive) and got these http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=29492 as spares. 40 euro to get prescription lenses put into the insert. I use these all the time now for cycling. They work very well - the extra lenses are really useful.