Prescription Riding Glasses - woes!

simonp123

I’ve been trying to sort out some prescription riding glasses with my local optician, but am having a lot of trouble. I want something that has an interchangeable protective lens as I want a tinted one for bright days, and a clear one for darker days and night riding. Fairly easy I thought, but no. Despite having many pairs that say they have interchangeable lenses, only 1 pair they offer has a clear option. OK, no problem I thought, that will do. Unfortunately when I get them I find that the vision through the prescription insert is awful :evil: very blurred, bad enough that I would fail the sight test for driving! If I take the insert out and just look through that, the vision is fine, but when it is in the riding glasses the insert is pushed to a position that doesn’t allow the insert to line up properly with my eyes unless the glasses are on the end of my nose, which is no good.

The optician has offered a full refund, but can seemingly offer no other options.
My prescription is on the stronger side, but not terrible by any means, surely I can’t be alone in having my requirement? Anyone have similar issues, or can point me in the right direction to a solution?

I suppose a riding glasses with a prescription main lens rather than an insert would be one solution, but I’d rather not end up getting 2 whole pairs as this would cost loads :roll:

Thewaylander

To be honest, I had this dilema a while back, and decided against prescrition eye wear on the account it's pricey and only takes one good crash to trash.

In the end i went with daily contect its far easier and then provides a much wider range of appropriate eye wear. Prob not the answer you wanted but i feel it is the best solytion

simonp123

Thewaylander wrote:

In the end i went with daily contect its far easier and then provides a much wider range of appropriate eye wear. Prob not the answer you wanted but i feel it is the best solytion

The trouble is I've tried contacts on 4 separate occasions, and cannot get on with them. The astigmatism correction for my left eye makes the lens have to sit very precisely and it never does. That and even with the super soft ones they go dry after a couple of hours. Oh that and I have so much trouble getting them in (eyelids don't open very far) that I had 2 eye infections from messing around in there :roll:
Glasses the only option I'm afraid.

irishdan13

My prescription is pretty weak but I went for a pair of Rudy Project Horus as they are prescription lenses rather that an optical insert. They have individual lense pods which can be substituted quckly without too many finger marks on the lenses.

I have a set of photochromatic lenses for general riding and a set of grey lenses for driving.

Could be worth looking into something similar or the optical insert behind a standard frame.

simonp123

Irishdan13 wrote:

My prescription is pretty weak but I went for a pair of Rudy Project Horus as they are prescription lenses rather that an optical insert. They have individual lense pods which can be substituted quckly without too many finger marks on the lenses.

I have a set of photochromatic lenses for general riding and a set of grey lenses for driving.

Could be worth looking into something similar or the optical insert behind a standard frame.

Hmm, yeah, I hadn't really thought about photochromatics lenses, that might be a solution, I'll see if the optician can offer sports glasses with that in. I'm sticking with them first as I get 50% discount having just bought normal glasses plus sunglasses!

NW Postie

I'm currently in the same predicament, having spent many hours looking into this and speaking to various opticians it would appear there isn't much choice for us spectacle wearing types without spending a pretty penny.

Oakley do offer prescription glasses through a few sites, cost wise they aren't the cheapest but oaskley quality seems to be spot on.

simonp123

NW Postie wrote:

I'm currently in the same predicament, having spent many hours looking into this and speaking to various opticians it would appear there isn't much choice for us spectacle wearing types without spending a pretty penny.

My issue is that I'm being offered little choice regardless of cost

Fed up with getting grit and mud in my eyes though. Normal glasses create a lovely vortex at the edge of the lens which pulls stuff straight into your eye, be it grit or just air. Most uncomfortable!

Neil Fat man on a bike

I use Addidas 'Evil Eye' glasses with 'Mr Magoo' lense that sit behind the actual protective lense.
They are very good.......but cost £300+
However there are numerous outer lense options amd the prescription inserts were about £60 I think. so not too much to re order if you need alternatives.

NW Postie

This is where i am currently looking, spare lenses seem to be available too so you could probably get some for sunny days and then your clear lense for dull days/night use.

http://www.theinternetopticians.co.uk/oakley-prescription-sunglasses_c-263.html

schlepcycling

I use these people http://www.optilabs.com/, I went with the photochromic lenses and they're excellent.

simon2names

I'd second the optilabs option. Cheap, very quick turnaround and 2 years on my glasses are still spot on despite heavy cycling, snowboarding and sunbathing use! Am now considering getting myself a pair of clear lenses for the winter.

simonp123

Surely with photochromatic lenses you don't need clear ones too?

Tank-slapper

I got my Rudy Project Ride-ons from here:

http://www.extreme-eyewear.co.uk/

Very good service and, at the time, they were the cheapest by far.

I have photochromic red lenses which are excellent. The inserts work fine for me. Direct glaze is possible with the Ride-on, but you are talking 500 quid a pair.

bike-a-swan

I've heard these recommended, keep meaning to give them a try. Get the glasses from the first, send the inserts to the second for glazing.

http://www.kontrolsports.co.uk/product_ ... asp?item=7

http://www.specsdirectuk.com/index.asp

Anonymous

When did you last try contacts? They ultra high oxygen stuff now is very easy to wear. They shouldn't dry out even if you end up sleeping in them.

I agree Torics for astigmatism can be a little tricky but never really had much issue with them as long as I line up the notches correctly.

I did the prescription route but the hassles of getting alternate lenses along with the expense, especially after smashing them up from a faceplant, meant I went with contacts.

Though I wear contacts on and off for more than just the bike so I'm used to them. You do need to wear contacts for a fair bit to get used to them. Can't just try them and give up within a few days.

Downside with contacts is infections if you get dirt in the eye when riding, so it's absolutely essential you wear eye protection. Bonus is you can get quality stuff as cheap as a fiver (safety Bolles for example) instead of paying £100+ for prescription stuff.

But if not for you, it's the expense and hassle of prescription stuff or... get your eyes zapped!

turnerjohn

Highly recommend Rudy with their optical inserts and a million different lens. I've 3 pairs of Rydons (excessive I know lol) but they are superb and look great (street cool !) oh and I can use them for driving....win win !

keith1200rs

My solution is Ray Ban wrap round sunglasses with the lenses changed for prescription. Depends on your prescription as to how much wrap they can do.

Keith

stubs

I had trouble with my prescription inserts they were just too strong, felt like my eyes were being pulled out even though they were spot on my prescription. The solution was to get new lenses with the same prescription strength but a very flat base. It means the lenses are quite thick compared to my spectacle lenses but they work just fine apart from a little bit of distortion at the very edge which I soon got used to.

Unfortunately its all a compromise I wish I could wear contacts but after an hour or two wearing them I want to scratch my eyes out. Tried contacts 4 times and they are getting better but still dont work for me. The last time I tried I managed 2 weeks before I got an eye infection and woke up one morning with my eyelids glued together. At the hospital the eye specialist told me to throw the contacts in the bin.

fungus_the_muffin_man

bike-a-swan wrote:

I've heard these recommended, keep meaning to give them a try. Get the glasses from the first, send the inserts to the second for glazing.

http://www.kontrolsports.co.uk/product_ ... asp?item=7

http://www.specsdirectuk.com/index.asp

kontrol specs are both cheap and awesome. They've made life much better for me

Neil Fat man on a bike

wow, they really look the biz :roll:

simonp123

deadkenny wrote:

When did you last try contacts? They ultra high oxygen stuff now is very easy to wear. They shouldn't dry out even if you end up sleeping in them.

About 7-8 years back, but they were the high oxygen ones hat you could leave in for ages. Apprently I have very greasy tears which messes with the contact lenses. Advice not to continue with them was from the optician.

As for zapping, isn't there still an issue a few years down the line with starbursting etc? Also I'm not sure if an astigmatism can be helped by this can it?

Dan_xz

I use Adidas Elevations. Not cheap but worth it for the all round versitility.

Interchangeble lenses - including clear ones. Prescription is on a seperate insert which is clipped in and can be removed/replaced if prescription changes/contacts are worn.

Also can be converted to light use googles with a foam surround and headstrap included.

They have bigger peripheral coverage than evil eyes etc.. but maybe don't look quite as stylish (especially with clear lens and prescription insert in)

Had mine 3 or 4 years and they really have been worth it for me.

links:
http://www.vision3k.com/adidas_climacool.asp

http://www.gosportsspex.co.uk/AdidasEle ... maCool.asp

simonp123

Dan_xz wrote:

Interchangeble lenses - including clear ones. Prescription is on a seperate insert which is clipped in and can be removed/replaced if prescription changes/contacts are worn.

This is the same arrangement as the ones I have got from the optician (though not Adidas ones) but it seesm to be the placement of the insert inside the glasses that is the problem, the lenses end up being sat too high and too close to my eyes when the glasses are pushed up properly onto my nose. The insert sit so close that my eyelashes rub on it :shock: Unless the frames are specially designed for inserts I don't see how this won't happen. Maybe the better ones are designed with this in mind rather than just giving an insert option as an afterthought.

fungus_the_muffin_man

Neil Fat man on a bike wrote:

wow, they really look the biz :roll:

They might not be the most stylish specs around, but It's still better than wearing my normal everyday glasses. And cost effective

Some of us don't have the luck to be able to just grab any shades they want off the shelf :roll:

Anonymous

simonp123 wrote:

As for zapping, isn't there still an issue a few years down the line with starbursting etc? Also I'm not sure if an astigmatism can be helped by this can it?

I think, but not too sure, that astigmatism can be dealt with, but I'm concerned about long term results.

Discussed it with the optician, friends who've had it done and so on, and I get the impression that it may only be a short term fix anyway as eyes change all the time, so whilst it may be okay for a bit you could still end up with glasses 5 or 10 years later. More so as you get older and start to need bifocals or whatever.

And you can't just keep going back for more as the laser is cutting bits off the surface and ultimately you run out of material to remove.

I also ran into problems with contacts at work (I work with computers all day) where I started to get eye strain. I stopped wearing them at work, but for riding they're excellent. Someone I know had their eyes zapped and ended up with eye strain with the computers also. Can't say I'm keen to go down that route.

Turns out my contacts and glasses prescription actually has excellent correction and are much better than 20-20 vision, but I might not get as good with laser.

meesterbond

I don't really like wearing contacts while riding either - my eyes water at the slightest breeze so I need glasses which fit pretty well and even then there's still some watering.. I settled on a pair of Jawbones and ordered a separate pair of transition presciption lenses. Not a cheap option by any means (the lenses alone were over a ton if memory serves) but they work well - bright enough for those sunny days and clear enough for going through trees when overcast. They don't change spectularly fast, but quick enough.

If I was doing a lot of night riding I'd probably go for a completely clear pair of lenses though..

Zziplex

Try different kinds of contacts.

It took me a while to find a make & model that agree with my eyes.

I use the standard 1 day Acuvue, not the moist version as these don't suit

Putting objects in your eye is very alien, but you soon get used to it. Just make sure you don't over wear and you'll be fine. Just use them for essential tasks like sport, rather than every day wear.

jackthejedi

I got a set of XLC priscription glasses with 3 lense . clear,yellow,dark with RX insert from CRC for £15 BARGIN got the lense done at Spec saversfor £30 BARGIN. They workvery well,little foggin and sit well for the money not bad and at least you get the RX insert and theydont make you look like :shock:

bennett_346

Neil Fat man on a bike wrote:

wow, they really look the biz :roll:

Whats wrong with them? I think they look decent.

kentphil

I use Briko sunglasses which have a perscription insert on them. I had many problems at first with my eyes adjusting to the lens being so close to my eyes, but it has improved over time. But vision still isn't as good as with my normal glasses. Sweat running down onto the glasses is also a massive problem as I have to stop and clean them to allow me to ride safely. But overall they are just about OK to use.

simonp123

Well, I think I have got to the bottom of why I have a problem with the inserts when they are in the glasses. When they are out I get near perfect vision through them, but as when they get fitted into the glasses the insert frame has to bend a lot to fit inside the curved outer lens of the glasses. This bending makes the lens sit at quite an angle to the eye, which means the focus is not being directed at my eye centre. By trying this bend with the insert out I get (surprise, surprise) the same result. Also get the same result if I hold my normal glasses at an odd angle.
Surely with this arrangement the lens needs to be made to work when the insert is fitted rather than when it is flat?
The optician thought it was the curve of the lens causing problems, but of course the lens isn't really curved, just sat at an angle.

The whole insert thing seems to be a bit of a bodge (well, certainly with the glasses I have), so I think I will be looking for a direct glazed option.