Eyesight and cycling

Tell me how · 10-10-2018 2:00pm #1

I am curious on what options people take in terms of their eyesight while cycling.
I wear glasses in every day life. Eyesight isn't that bad but still wear pretty much throughout the day.

When cycling, I don't wear them. I don't have prescription riding glasses and in any case, I find that when cycling, sweat from my brow drips on to the inside of the lens which is very frustrating. I haven't got in to the practice of wearing contacts yet.

For the most part, I don't feel it is a problem when riding, as I said my eyesight isn't that poor but there are times when I feel it does affect me. Picking out small potholes on a road surface with a lot of light/shadow is a problem and I feel that it also negatively impacts my confidence when descending as I am not as sure of the lines or road surface at speed.

So, what do others do, prescription cycling glasses? Contact Lenses? No glasses?
Any other ideas?

What Username Guidelines · 10-10-2018 2:04pm

I wear glasses all day, and keep them on on the bike. The padding in the helmet is usually sufficient to stop the sweat, but they do tend to fog up a little (when stopped) on colder days. If you don’t wear a helmet, maybe a cap with sweatband? Have cheap prescription sunglasses too for sunnier days. Specsavers do 2 for 1 most of the time, so I just got their cheapest own brand sunglasses and got the exact same pair free, one kept in the car and the other for cycling.

seamus · 10-10-2018 2:07pm

Without being judgemental, if you wouldn't drive without your glasses, you shouldn't ride without them. So much about riding depends on being able to read road conditions well ahead - looking over hedges 100m away to see if a car is around the corner, etc.

I use contacts or my normal glasses when riding. Can't say sweat has been a problem for me, though obviously everyone varies. If the pads in your helmet aren't good enough for dealing with the sweat, then an actual sweatband might be a good idea?

buffalo · 10-10-2018 2:11pm

I wear glasses daily. I could get by without them on the bike, but I don't. Never had a problem with sweat dripping onto them except sometimes indoors with the turbo, so maybe you need to get a pair that sit closer to your face?

I've used disposable contacts in the past which were good too.

cdaly_ · 10-10-2018 2:17pm

These days I need glasses for distance, reading and computer. I've now got three pairs:

Bifocal distance + reading for home
Single vision computer for work
Bifocal distance + computer for bike ('cos handlebars are around the same distance as a monitor)

Bike glasses are sport glasses with polycarbonate, light reactive lenses.

Got all three pairs from http://zennioptical.com with all the bells and whistles for around €200 delivered. Probably around €500 sourced locally...

Macy0161 · 10-10-2018 3:22pm

seamus wrote: »

Without being judgemental, if you wouldn't drive without your glasses, you shouldn't ride without them.

I don't know, I do wear them for driving (and have done pretty much since passing my test), but I'm still a good bit above the legal limit. I did look into contact lenses for the bike, and the optician (who could've sold them or sports glasses to be fair) didn't think there was much benefit, and the lenses (for either option) would be so thin as to be problematic!

There was a crowd in the UK that I nearly pulled the trigger on, which seemed to the best of the bunch. Both in laws went with inserts, which were much cheaper options, swappable outer lenses etc.

smacl · 10-10-2018 3:32pm

cdaly_ wrote: »

Got all three pairs from http://zennioptical.com with all the bells and whistles for around €200 delivered. Probably around €500 sourced locally...

Wow, that is seriously good value. I have pretty terrible eyesight and use distance glasses most of the time and reading glasses for reading and sometimes on the computer. I got a set of prescription sports sunglasses from Specsavers along with the other two pairs which all in cost me about €520, which I actually thought was decent value at the time.

For cycling I use the sports sunglasses as they keep out wind descending and low sun from the sides which I find can be blinding otherwise. Downside is they kill some peripheral vision to turning the head to see oncoming traffic is more of a challenge. I got bar mirrors to help this which are ok but not brilliant. For short midday spins I just use the regular specs.

Tell me how · 10-10-2018 5:09pm

cdaly_ wrote: »

These days I need glasses for distance, reading and computer. I've now got three pairs:
Bifocal distance + reading for home

Single vision computer for work

Bifocal distance + computer for bike ('cos handlebars are around the same distance as a monitor)

Bike glasses are sport glasses with polycarbonate, light reactive lenses.

Got all three pairs from http://zennioptical.com with all the bells and whistles for around €200 delivered. Probably around €500 sourced locally...

That looks a good option. Was there an element of trial and error in identifying the right frame sizes and so on or were you immediately happy with your first order?

Tell me how · 10-10-2018 5:12pm

seamus wrote: »

Without being judgemental, if you wouldn't drive without your glasses, you shouldn't ride without them. So much about riding depends on being able to read road conditions well ahead - looking over hedges 100m away to see if a car is around the corner, etc.

Respectfully, I disagree. I have much more time to react when cycling given the difference in speed so don't feel glasses are absolutely necessary just because they are worn when driving.

I have never had a near miss (touch wood) caused as a result of the quality of my eyesight.

smacl · 10-10-2018 5:48pm

Tell me how wrote: »

Respectfully, I disagree. I have much more time to react when cycling given the difference in speed so don't feel glasses are absolutely necessary just because they are worn when driving.

Do you not find fast descents or cycling in heavy wind to be a pain without glasses? Even if I didn't need them for eyesight, I'd be wearing them cycling anyway.

sullzz · 10-10-2018 5:54pm

I wear glasses when driving and watching tv, i never really bothered with contact lenses until I began cycling a few years ago, they were the best decision I have made, i tend to sweat a lot when cycling and inserts in sunglasses would be a disaster .
The only problem have had with contact lenses is when i am racing, they sometimes blow out with the high speed, even when wearing sunglasses, i sourced a pair of glasses that prevented this but they got destroyed in a recent crash.

ED E · 10-10-2018 5:58pm

sullzz wrote: »

The only problem have had with contact lenses is when i am racing, they sometimes blow out with the high speed, even when wearing sunglasses, i sourced a pair of glasses that prevented this but they got destroyed in a recent crash.

Wind Jackets will give enough coverage to prevent such issues.

brownian · 10-10-2018 6:04pm

Does everyone not wear glasses as eye protection from bugs?? If I don't wear them, I can be reasonably confident of a fly in the eye every couple of rides. And once or twice a year, a real thump on the lens from a bee or something that would take your eye out. Not to mention loose chippings....

sullzz · 10-10-2018 7:15pm

brownian wrote: »

Does everyone not wear glasses as eye protection from bugs?? If I don't wear them, I can be reasonably confident of a fly in the eye every couple of rides. And once or twice a year, a real thump on the lens from a bee or something that would take your eye out. Not to mention loose chippings....

I never cycle without glasses on, its like driving without a seatbelt, it just doesn't feel right without them.

Tell me how · 10-10-2018 7:20pm

smacl wrote: »

Do you not find fast descents or cycling in heavy wind to be a pain without glasses? Even if I didn't need them for eyesight, I'd be wearing them cycling anyway.

Not particularly. Yes, my eyes can water but, that same wind which makes them water also blows the moisture away.

I found the sweat dripping on to the inside of the lens to be a bigger pain than the wind in the eye and so ditched the glasses.

tomasrojo · 10-10-2018 7:23pm

I'm short-sighted, and I just wear my usual glasses when cycling. I can't recall having any problem. My general approach is that my outfit for leaving the house on foot is the same outfit for leaving with the bike.

Tell me how · 10-10-2018 7:24pm

brownian wrote: »

Does everyone not wear glasses as eye protection from bugs?? If I don't wear them, I can be reasonably confident of a fly in the eye every couple of rides. And once or twice a year, a real thump on the lens from a bee or something that would take your eye out. Not to mention loose chippings....

This could be my bias given that I've been cycling for the last two years without glasses, but I was actually thinking about this on a recent spin.
I found myself blinking one eye shut momentarily before a bug hit it, like it was a reaction to my eye seeing the bug coming before my brain said "there's a bug". It got me wondering do we mind our eyes more (nearly even without knowing we do it) when we are not wearing any protection.

I do agree though glasses should obviously give more protection but (again, fingers crossed)I have had no real discomfort as a result of cycling without them to this point.

Tell me how · 10-10-2018 7:26pm

tomasrojo wrote: »

I'm short-sighted, and I just wear my usual glasses when cycling. I can't recall having any problem. My general approach is that my outfit for leaving the house on foot is the same outfit for leaving with the bike.

Are you a commuter cyclist, as in you are dressing for the destination not the journey and so are not wearing bib-shorts, helmet or cycling shoes?

I probably would wear my glasses if I felt I needed them at the end of a cycle such as when commuting.

tomasrojo · 10-10-2018 7:31pm

Tell me how wrote: »

Are you a commuter cyclist, as in you are dressing for the destination not the journey and so are not wearing bib-shorts, helmet or cycling shoes?

I probably would wear my glasses if I felt I needed them at the end of a cycle such as when commuting.

I'm a pretty-much-every-possible-journey-by-bike cyclist. Which is a mixture of multiple short- and medium-length journeys every day. I don't think I've ever cycled more than 30km in one go, or 70km in one day, so my experience isn't applicable to people doing centuries and the like, I presume.

tomasrojo · 10-10-2018 7:33pm

(I've never worn bib shorts or cycling shoes, to answer your question. I did wear the h-word for a few years, but let's not go down that rabbit hole.)

CrowdedHouse · 10-10-2018 7:37pm

Tell me how wrote: »

I have had no real discomfort as a result of cycling without them to this point.

I never wear glasses just don't like them, never had a real problem.

On a side note I do wear reading glasses so don't forget to put a pair of Aldi/Lidl readers in the saddle bag in case you need to do repairs....a friend told me.....:D

Beasty · 10-10-2018 9:08pm

There's no way I would ride a bike without glasses. Even ride the turbo with them. Having said that I would not walk down the street without them either! Of course, I do have prescription cycling sunglasses to match my black, white, blue, orange and red helmets

:P

eeeee · 10-10-2018 9:48pm

I've bad eyesight, I wouldn't even consider going out the door without them never mind getting up on a bike.
I wear my normal glasses 100% of the time. I'm going to experiment with contacts, as the sunglasses over specs is annoying.
The only issues I have is that the shape of my current glasses direct all the air directly up to my eyes, and crap from the road. The surface of my eyes are permanently scarred from the barrage of crap hitting them, so my optician recommended contacts. I'd failed at them a few years ago (have astigmatisms) but the tech has moved on and I'm getting on well with them now. Much less breezy without my glasses on ironically. Want some proper glasses now for protection. I have heard stories of contacts pinging out at speed though, so I'll always wear my glasses when racing. My glasses also fog up when stopped in cold weather. not a huge issue as they clear as soon as you start moving.

OP wear your glasses. It's very foolish not to.

brownian · 10-10-2018 10:19pm

Tell me how wrote: »

This could be my bias given that I've been cycling for the last two years without glasses, but I was actually thinking about this on a recent spin.
I found myself blinking one eye shut momentarily before a bug hit it, like it was a reaction to my eye seeing the bug coming before my brain said "there's a bug". It got me wondering do we mind our eyes more (nearly even without knowing we do it) when we are not wearing any protection.

I do agree though glasses should obviously give more protection but (again, fingers crossed)I have had no real discomfort as a result of cycling without them to this point.

After a couple of eyes-full of bugs, I guess I can conclude my eyes are slower than yours! And after a couple of thumps from big flying things, I'm happy enough to have been wearing glasses....

07Lapierre · 11-10-2018 1:00am

I’ve perfect eyesight, but I never cycle without glasses...

Clear lens: for night time/ very overcast days

Orange lens: for dull/overcast days

Dark lenses: for bright /sunny days.

There is one exception... when cycling at night and it’s raining. I have to take off my glasses as the water drops on the glasses combined with the headlamps of oncoming traffic makes it impossible to see.

Wishbone Ash · 11-10-2018 6:32am

Tell me how wrote: »

... I find that when cycling, sweat from my brow drips on to the inside of the lens which is very frustrating....

A cycling cap under the helmet will sort out that.

Canis Lupus · 11-10-2018 12:40pm

I wear cycling glasses from optilabs. Can't be dealing with the snots from watery eyes from cycling with ordinary glasses and I live in Australia so it's a bit bright and uncomfortable without them.

Deffo wouldn't be comfortable without glasses. My eyesight wouldn't be good enough to read the lay of the road immediately in front of me plus the little things like avoiding shards of glass and whatnot.

cdaly_ · 11-10-2018 1:12pm

Tell me how wrote: »

That looks a good option. Was there an element of trial and error in identifying the right frame sizes and so on or were you immediately happy with your first order?

They (zennioptical) have instructions on measuring your pupillary distance (you can ask your optician for that, it's not routinely written on a prescription). They also give all dimensions on their frames. You can upload a photo to use to try on any frame. You'd be best off measuring an existing frame you're happy with first.

Postage is not quick, can take a month. With three glasses wearers, I've bought around 15+ pairs of glasses from them over the years and saved loads. I got done for customs duty and vat once over that time.

I had to send back one pair of glasses due to an incorrect intermediate value being used but I reckon this was down to the optician at eye test. Because it was my mistake rather than theirs, I had to pay postage for the return and got store credit rather than a refund but that was ok as I was getting another pair anyhow. That pair was a 'sport glasses' with prescription insert behind the wrap around lens. Didn't work for me anyhow as my eyelashes were brushing off the prescription lens at every blink. Instead, I got the 'sport' bi-focal glasses which look like ordinary but with plastic frames and lenses.

magicbastarder · 11-10-2018 1:15pm

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

A cycling cap under the helmet will sort out that.

hy head is sweaty enough as it is without warming it more, though.
i find the design of the glasses makes a big difference - ones which sit away from your eyebrows are much better.

Macy0161 · 11-10-2018 2:07pm

Canis Lupus wrote: »

I wear cycling glasses from optilabs.

That's the company I nearly went with. Seemed the best value for money at the time.

outfox · 11-10-2018 9:55pm

In the last couple of years, a few manufacturers like Bolle have managed to start squeezing prescriptions (down to about -6, including astigmatisms) into wraparound sunglasses, including cycling glasses. I got a pair last year, and they're the business. Before that, I wore my regular glasses, which was a pain as the wind blew in around the sides on descents and made my eyes water. Also, in misty conditions, the mist could blow in from the side and coat the inside of the lenses, and the wind wouldn't clear it. The wraparounds weren't cheap, but they're worth every penny for someone as blind as myself.

Rechuchote · 13-10-2018 12:39pm

Is it possible to get a headband that doesn't warm the head up too much? That would stop the sweat running over glasses. Otherwise, those cycling glasses sound good.
Can't get them myself since my prescription is -11, but then my cycling speed is so slow that I could probably get away with using a white stick.

JMcL · 18-10-2018 10:33am

magicbastarder wrote: »

hy head is sweaty enough as it is without warming it more, though.
i find the design of the glasses makes a big difference - ones which sit away from your eyebrows are much better.

I thought that as well but finally decided to give it (a cap) a go about a year ago, and it's a big help. I don't find it makes my head overly hot, but then my head is, ahem, somewhat aero. I've been wearing it it all weather - cold weather last winter/spring, even during the heatwave. The peak keeps a bit of rain out of you eyes (and low sun), it also wicks sweat away from the brow and if it gets saturated, is just drips off the end.

As regards the original question, my eyesight is pretty terrible. I need glasses all day every day (short sight), and due to this age lark my near sight isn't all that I'd wish either. I'd never have considered it a "handicap" until the past few years, but moisture laden air is a real problem for me. Foggy mornings I can't keep the lenses clear - wipe them and 10 seconds later they're opaque again. Rain and dark evenings are another horror show as somebody else mentioned. Half my commute is on a busy unlit road, albeit one with a decent wide cycle path (read hard shoulder with a solid white line). I've had situations where the combination of water droplets an oncoming headlight have left me with no option but take off the glasses and proceed (very) slowly. I also find it a problem when we take the kids to a swimming pool - I can't see them if they're more than about 10m away.

I've tried contacts but couldn't get on with them at all, and am giving serious thought to laser (I'm apparently suitable, but would definitely need reading glasses afterwards. As I'm on the slippery slope there already - it's probably an OK compromise).

Rechuchote · 18-10-2018 3:06pm

JMcL wrote: »

giving serious thought to laser (I'm apparently suitable, but would definitely need reading glasses afterwards. As I'm on the slippery slope there already - it's probably an OK compromise).

You'll also still need eye-protection glasses (though probably not prescription) for cycling after laser, unless you go for the replace-my-eyes-with-titanium option.

Macy0161 · 18-10-2018 3:15pm

JMcL wrote: »

I also find it a problem when we take the kids to a swimming pool - I can't see them if they're more than about 10m away.

Prescription googles can be got relatively cheap. I think some places you can buy off the shelf (well online) with inserted lenses, a bit like reading glasses.

eeeee · 18-10-2018 3:48pm

Macy0161 wrote: »

Prescription googles can be got relatively cheap. I think some places you can buy off the shelf (well online) with inserted lenses, a bit like reading glasses.

Really? Do you have links? That'd be great

JMcL · 18-10-2018 10:23pm

Rechuchote wrote: »

You'll also still need eye-protection glasses (though probably not prescription) for cycling after laser, unless you go for the replace-my-eyes-with-titanium option.

Ah yeah, if I didn't have to wear the specs all the time anyway, I'd be loading up on cheap sunnies from Lidl/Aldi when doing the same for gloves :-)

Macy0161 wrote: »

Prescription googles can be got relatively cheap. I think some places you can buy off the shelf (well online) with inserted lenses, a bit like reading glasses.

I've thought about something like that a few times, and while it does have an appeal and would probably improve things (better airflow etc.), my primary problem is those days when the lenses are covered in water droplets, and I think that would still be an issue. I've had enough miserable experiences at this stage that it will make me avoid dark evening commutes for the car if there's a reasonable chance of heavyish rain, which is annoying

Macy0161 · 19-10-2018 9:04am

nee wrote: »

Really? Do you have links? That'd be great

It was actually sportsdirect I saw them last year, but only one corrective lens option now when I look. But even Amazon has them. I'm not sure how they'd stand up to lane training or whatever, but if it's for in the water with the kids...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/slp/optical-swimming-goggles/evqdeguwwbte7xr

But my sister in law got them through an optician for under €50 I think.

JMcL wrote: »

Ah yeah, if I didn't have to wear the specs all the time anyway, I'd be loading up on cheap sunnies from Lidl/Aldi when doing the same for gloves :-)

Well that's what really put me off getting the prescription glasses, after being told I really didn't need them. It's kinda handy to just use the semi-disposable options - well not disposable, but ones you don't mind throwing in a back pocket and losing.

cdaly_ · 19-10-2018 11:02am

nee wrote: »

Really? Do you have links? That'd be great

https://www.eyelidsreadingglasses.ie/?subcats=Y&pcode_from_q=Y&pshort=Y&pfull=Y&pname=Y&pkeywords=Y&search_performed=Y&q=safety&dispatch=products.search These are safety glasses with 'ready reader' plain prescriptions. I've used the bi-focal versions on the bike, main lens is plain, no correction but there's a reading correction in the bi-focal bit for looking at the gps etc.

eeeee · 19-10-2018 11:04am

Excellent thank ye!

smacl · 19-10-2018 11:16am

JMcL wrote: »

my primary problem is those days when the lenses are covered in water droplets, and I think that would still be an issue. I've had enough miserable experiences at this stage that it will make me avoid dark evening commutes for the car if there's a reasonable chance of heavyish rain, which is annoying

I've prescription sports sunglasses from SpecSavers, and this is still an issue. You can wipe the outsides, but even with a snug fit between the glasses and the face, the insides get messed up too. Not sure there's much can be done beyond contacts or laser eye surgery.

Mc Love · 19-10-2018 12:50pm

I wear mine the whole time, yesterday morning when i was cycling into work, the glasses seemed to have fogged up, either from the cold foggy conditions or very light mist, gave them a wipe and they were clear again, but for a bit, I couldnt see very well

mackeminexile · 21-10-2018 8:24am

I wear contacts (daily disposable) most days and have a spare pair with me when I cycle, just in case. i couldn't cycle without glasses of some description due to the wind making my eyes water, bugs etc. My go to are photochromic and I've just gone for the Jawbreakers which are hands down the best I've tried. Also have a pair of Oakley Switch prescription with swapable lenses for normal/sunglasses. They're sport style and I wear them on the commute sometimes when my eyes need a rest. They were about 400 quid I think. Overall, contacts plus sunnies are the way for me.

AndrewJRenko · 21-10-2018 1:12pm

sullzz wrote: »

I never cycle without glasses on, its like driving without a seatbelt, it just doesn't feel right without them.

I never cycle WITH glasses on, despite my Mr Magoo levels of vision. The main reason I wear contact lenses is for the commute cycling. Glasses were awful in rain, but the contacts clear with a blink. I've never had any hint of them being blown out at speed, despite having done some fairly significant descents 70 kmph+.

Are glasses not awful in the rain?

JMcL · 22-10-2018 11:56am

AndrewJRenko wrote: »

I never cycle WITH glasses on, despite my Mr Magoo levels of vision. The main reason I wear contact lenses is for the commute cycling. Glasses were awful in rain, but the contacts clear with a blink. I've never had any hint of them being blown out at speed, despite having done some fairly significant descents 70 kmph+.

Are glasses not awful in the rain?

Out for a spin yesterday morning and was glad of the specs. Large buzzy thing whacked into the left lens then slid off and got wedged in the helmet strap - cue some frantic tugging to (successfully) clear it. Thought I saw a flash of yellow, though couldn't swear this wasn't just my brain playing tricks on me. Yellow or no, it's one I wouldn't have wanted on the eyeball at 25km/h never mind 70. So for this I'd still rather have eye protection of some sort even if/when I get my distance vision corrected (crappy weather excepted of course for reasons above)

Eyesight and cycling

Comments