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Glasses make you 99.99987% faster!

bdamschen

Turbo Monkey
Nov 28, 2005
3,377
156
Spreckels, CA
In my wife's case, they actually do. She had glasses that her eye doc prescribed her for driving at night/reading or something like that. She tried wearing them under her goggles while riding once and BAM, she started ripping that very run.

So- what do all you glasses wearing people do? Get contacts? Stuff em under your goggles? get prescription goggles?

Also thinking she'll probably want them for trail rides too- are there prescription riding glasses out there or are contacts the way to go?
 

Total Heckler

Beer and Bike Enthusiast
Apr 28, 2005
8,171
189
Santa Cruz, CA
Alright Brian, you and Kelly have motivated me. I have been needing to get glasses for years now for riding and driving. I think I might make an appointment soon to get this done.
 

yd35

Monkey
Oct 28, 2008
741
61
NY
Contacts for sure. I've never tried to use glasses while biking, but I imagine that they would be very uncomfortable under goggles, get fogged up, and require constant readjustment. And they'd probably get tossed every time you crashed.

The issue with contacts is that they can get gritty on dusty days, or every once in a while you take a run without your goggles, and of course, you get a nice gob of mud that gets lodged in your eye. Like others mentioned, bringing some solution and spares should solve any problems.
 

gfisher270

Monkey
Aug 23, 2008
202
0
NNJ
I were glasses all the time, but when I go riding I were my contacts. I find that the glasses always fog up when I ride with them. I plan on getting Lasik when I am older.
 

time-bomb

Monkey
May 2, 2008
957
21
right here -> .
I would rather crash with contacts in than glasses on my face, even if goggles are covering them. Getting a contact stuck is an inconvenience and uncomfortable. Having glasses smashed against your face or breaking is painful and dangerous.
 

isabbisr

Monkey
Aug 9, 2002
108
0
NJ
I was actually going to post a similar topic. I have glasses that I wear for driving at night, seeing distance, etc. I was considering getting contacts for riding/racing, but a friend of mine seems to have problems with his contacts falling out while riding. Has anyone else had this problem or is it all systems go?
 

time-bomb

Monkey
May 2, 2008
957
21
right here -> .
I was actually going to post a similar topic. I have glasses that I wear for driving at night, seeing distance, etc. I was considering getting contacts for riding/racing, but a friend of mine seems to have problems with his contacts falling out while riding. Has anyone else had this problem or is it all systems go?
All systems go for me. Wearing goggles does help them from drying out quickly. I have had to put eye drops in halfway through the day before but I just can't imagine wearing glasses under goggles.
 

bdamschen

Turbo Monkey
Nov 28, 2005
3,377
156
Spreckels, CA
Alright Brian, you and Kelly have motivated me. I have been needing to get glasses for years now for riding and driving. I think I might make an appointment soon to get this done.
It's crazy how much faster she got. One run with no glasses- slow, next run 10 mins later with glasses- shredding.


Looks like contacts are the way to go... didn't even think about lasik. She's under my health/dental/vision plan now so :thumb:
 

Arkayne

I come bearing GIFs
May 10, 2005
3,738
15
SoCal
I was considering getting contacts for riding/racing, but a friend of mine seems to have problems with his contacts falling out while riding. Has anyone else had this problem or is it all systems go?
Contacts aren't for everyone. It's best to see your optician to get properly fitted and try a sample pair from different manufacturers. Sample lenses are usually free of charge.

It's like when you play video games and your eyes get irritated because you hardly blink. With contacts, the exposed contact sticks to your eyelid when you eventually blink and effectively pops it out. This is probably what is happening to your friend. I usually have a small bottle of rewetting drops in my pocket and put a few in before a race run.
 
I got glasses when i was 5...in 1977. Got contacts when I was 15...yeah...1987. Wore contacts up until 3 years ago and got Lasik. If you need glasses or contacts to see, Lasik will be the best thing you have ever done.

Regarding DH, glasses seem to me to be impossible, but i had heavy thick lenses, they would just rattle around. Cantacts worked for me for years. I would need to rewet them regularly. If you ride DH and don't wear goggles, you are a dummy. so, tell her to get some contacts, get some drops and keep yer goggles on.
 

OGRipper

back alley ripper
Feb 3, 2004
10,647
1,116
NORCAL is the hizzle
I ride with my glasses, but I don't have the option of contacts or lasik. I'm more than half blind but I just make do and get out there anyway, staying home is just not an option. But yeah, seems pretty silly to not get some form of correction if your eyes are bad.
 

joelsman

Turbo Monkey
Feb 1, 2002
1,369
0
B'ham
I used to ride with glasses, no goggles, better than nothing but not as good as goggles, then got lasik 3yrs ago, much better.

tried contacts but had a really hard time getting them in, and out when i wanted.

snow sports was the worst with goggles and glasses, fogged up every time I stopped.
 

ALEXIS_DH

Tirelessly Awesome
Jan 30, 2003
6,147
796
Lima, Peru, Peru
used contacts for a while. but had to throw away many and were never 100% comfortable in dirt.
then, i switched to rudy project wizaard with an RX clip-on and thats how i roll now. hell,i even pop the dark lenses and just wear the clip ons with the frame if it gets dark.
 

SkullCrack

Monkey
Sep 3, 2004
705
127
PNW
In my wife's case, they actually do. She had glasses that her eye doc prescribed her for driving at night/reading or something like that. She tried wearing them under her goggles while riding once and BAM, she started ripping that very run.

So- what do all you glasses wearing people do? Get contacts? Stuff em under your goggles? get prescription goggles?

Also thinking she'll probably want them for trail rides too- are there prescription riding glasses out there or are contacts the way to go?
How bad is her eyesight without glasses? I have glasses that help with reading/computer/driving at night. It isn't a major correction. I can pass the DMV eye test without them. I think my main problem is astigmatism. I've never tried riding with glasses, but have wondered if some correction would help. I'd love to have something to blame my poor race results on.:sarcastic:
 

owentking

Chimp
Mar 28, 2010
93
0
Mountains of Rock
Ok. I have glasses for reading and can survive daily life without them but I've been considering contacts and riding faster is a better excuse then seeing clearer. :nerd:
 

Sonic Reducer

Monkey
Mar 19, 2006
500
0
seattle worshington
I'm nearsighted, i think 28/42 or thereabouts. used to wear prescription glasses and even though they fit well would get bounced off my nose or shifted forward, super annoying. now it's contacts and I'll never go back to glasses. I dont even have a set anymore after the last ones got annihilated. not saying they arent nice to have for some things. want to get lasiks, just gotta get one of those cadillac health plans. hard to save up that much money and not blow it on bike crap. :rolleyes:
 

Capricorn

Monkey
Jan 9, 2010
425
0
Cape Town, ZA
IH8Rice: how has the surgery panned out after 9 years (which i imagine qualifies as long term). Any initial side effects/issues , and 9 years later?
 
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Acadian

Born Again Newbie
Sep 5, 2001
714
2
Blah Blah and Blah
How bad is her eyesight without glasses? I have glasses that help with reading/computer/driving at night. It isn't a major correction. I can pass the DMV eye test without them. I think my main problem is astigmatism. I've never tried riding with glasses, but have wondered if some correction would help. I'd love to have something to blame my poor race results on.:sarcastic:
this thread also has me thinking. Always wondered what riding with 20/20 vision would be like.

I've been prescribed glasses way back when I was in high school, but never wore them.

3 years ago I tried contacts - but the damn things wouldn't stay put (it was the kind that needs to be in a specific orientation to work). So I ditched them.

In addition, I can only see like 20% out of my right eye (accidentally punctured my retina when I was a kid). Unfortunately - no lens can bring that eye back to 100%

I ALWAYS wear eye protection when I ride, but I'm just trying to avoid using prescription glasses for riding. Maybe I should just get some RX lenses for oakley's and give that a try.

There are time when I feel like I'm riding by braille.
 

MMike

A fowl peckerwood.
Sep 5, 2001
18,207
105
just sittin' here drinkin' scotch
this thread also has me thinking. Always wondered what riding with 20/20 vision would be like.

I've been prescribed glasses way back when I was in high school, but never wore them.

3 years ago I tried contacts - but the damn things wouldn't stay put (it was the kind that needs to be in a specific orientation to work). So I ditched them.

In addition, I can only see like 20% out of my right eye (accidentally punctured my retina when I was a kid). Unfortunately - no lens can bring that eye back to 100%

I ALWAYS wear eye protection when I ride, but I'm just trying to avoid using prescription glasses for riding. Maybe I should just get some RX lenses for oakley's and give that a try.

There are time when I feel like I'm riding by braille.

We're coming up on 9 years that I've been telling you to get that eye looked at...I bet they could remove lot of scar tissue now.......
 

DirtyMike

Turbo Fluffer
Aug 8, 2005
14,437
1,017
My own world inside my head
My two cents


First cents....... Goggles that are designed to help hold your glasses in place.... Oakley Lframes come to mind first


Second cents...... Script goggles....... Yes they are out there, yes they cost more and yes youll want to always have at lease one tear off on them.....
 

BigHitComp04

Monkey
Jun 20, 2005
586
3
Morgantown, WV
i wore contacts for years but got Lasik surgery 9 years ago
Contacts also but seriously considering Lasik. I've heard nothing but good things about Lasik really. How was it for you? The idea of not having to put contacts in every morning after doing it for 10 years or so sounds amazing...
 

dhmtbj

Monkey
Jan 30, 2002
467
1
Boston
Interesting that nobody has mentioned peripheral vision as it relates to the glasses/contacts issue. I myself have fine vision but a good friend of mine struggled with riding in glasses for many years. When he switched to contacts, one of the biggest effects it had was on his peripheral vision. I don't know about others but I'd say that peripheral vision is pretty important.
 

time-bomb

Monkey
May 2, 2008
957
21
right here -> .
Interesting that nobody has mentioned peripheral vision as it relates to the glasses/contacts issue. I myself have fine vision but a good friend of mine struggled with riding in glasses for many years. When he switched to contacts, one of the biggest effects it had was on his peripheral vision. I don't know about others but I'd say that peripheral vision is pretty important.
I would agree with this 100%. Peripheral vision is better w/contacts and there is no glare or reflection you have to worry about either - depending on glasses quality and lighting conditions.
 

IH8Rice

I'm Mr. Negative! I Fail!
Aug 2, 2008
24,524
494
Im over here now
IH8Rice: how has the surgery panned out after 9 years (which i imagine qualifies as long term). Any initial side effects/issues , and 9 years later?
still got 20/20 vision and have had no problems, its great.
i sometimes forgot that i wore contacts for years. im sure ill need reading glasses when i get older (which is normal,) but i have no complaints what so ever.

the only initial side effect was some large halos around lights at night and in the rain. it went away after a few months
 

Sandwich

Pig my fish!
Staff member
May 23, 2002
21,030
5,918
borcester rhymes
used to wear prescription sunglasses or glasses during DHing. Switched to goggs to be cool and it's a little better, you don't feel the wind or get dust, but eye protection is otherwise similar.

My eyesight is just bad enough for glasses, but not necessary all the time, 20/50 20/70 eyes. Might get some PRK soon....otherwise I'd like to try contacts. Being able to see is a good thing generally.
 
contacts under googles has worked well for me. it's hard for me to wear glasses with a full face helmet because 1)my head fits pretty snuggly against the helmet pads and it's hard to slide on glasses and 2)glasses interfere with taking the helmet off and on quickly.

for trailriding and DJ, when i don't wear a full face, i wear glasses.

the RXd Oakleys are expensive, but well worth it. Fit of the frames are great and optics are clear and durable. Be sure to get the Oakley lenses, as some vendors will try to sell you their in-house lenses put into Oakley frames. Just look for the 'O' etching in your Rx lenses to make sure they came from Oakley.

i considered LASIK but have decided to not do them at this time. there are some significant complications associated with laser corrections. altho, small, they are not nil. you only get one pair of eyes, so i'd rather not risk them. if you're in the medical field, you'll notice that the majority of ophthomologists that wear glasses, do NOT opt for LASIK for themselves. That is what i'd call, "a clue". :p
 

IH8Rice

I'm Mr. Negative! I Fail!
Aug 2, 2008
24,524
494
Im over here now
if you're in the medical field, you'll notice that the majority of ophthomologists that wear glasses, do NOT opt for LASIK for themselves. That is what i'd call, "a clue". :p
all the eye doctors ive been to have had Lasik surgery. the doctor that did mine, helped pioneer Lasik surgery and he had it done as well.

and what are these "significant, but small complications?"
 

trib

not worthy of a Rux.
Jun 22, 2009
1,456
388
and what are these "significant, but small complications?"
I'd guess going blind.....

I'd go for Lasik if i had to wear glasses, I trust doctors to get things right, they studied for a very long time to get where they are and think they deserve to be trusted by their patients that they can do a good job