Fifty Plus (50+) - New eyeglasses optimized for riding?

This is a good one for the 50+ to comment on. I'm assuming that many of us wear glasses.

I have worn glasses since I was about 5 years old. My good eye is about 20/400 and over the years I've had to adapt to some pretty uncomfortable vision situations. Now given all of that and the fact that it was time for a new pair I decided to attempt to add some "bikeability" to the equation.

No more variable lenses for me. The sweet spot is in the wrong place. For riding the bike I was having to tip my head up to far to get a good look down the road. I have returned to trifocals with a slightly depressed center and reading area. Now when I ride I can look out of the top of the lenses and not have to tip up the head so much.
Affordable biking dark glassis cannot do an optical insert for my perscription (the insert comes out too thick and will not fit) so I opted for magnetically clipped on dark polorized lenses over "transitions" variable darkness lenses. This required that the lense maker be notified to move the mounting point on the lense as far forward as possible else the thick lense interfer with the mounting of the add on dark glasses.

This seems to have done the trick. Now all I have to do is avoid falling down stairs because of the lower bifocal section.

Note to the club of the fallen members. I am now fully qualified to clip in without looking at my feet or all of this effort would have been moot.

I still wear single-focus spectacles, which work great for cycling. When I want to do close work or read fine print, I still have the option of simply removing my glasses (I am 7.5 diopters myopic). I really like my magnetic clip-on sunglass lens system and keep planning to get a set of clear +1.5 clip-ons instead of reading glasses. Unless I am trying to read a map, I don't need really crisp close-up vision for bicycling or jogging (or even driving), but I do want my mid-field and far-field vision to work well.

Instead of a workaround, have you considered fixing the underlying problem?

I had the LASIK procedure done on my eyes about 6 years ago, and could not be happier. No more glasses, no more contacts, 20-20 vision from the moment I open my eyes in the morning.

The only downside is the reading glasses, but that was inevitable after 50 anyway...sigh.

I am lucky to afford and be able to use my normal prescription with my riding glasses. I have snap on progressive lens behind the outer lens of my Rudy Project (http://www.rudyprojectusa.com/home.htm) glasses. I now can read my computer, cell phone and see forward when riding. (I don’t use the cell phone when riding, but I have seen it done.) Being they are sport glasses I get the benefit of wraparound lens to reduce or stop debris and wind in my eyes on a very comfortable frame. This model of Rudy Project glasses allow you to change out the outer lens with various tints. I have clear for evenings or night, red for cloudy and full mirror tint for sunny rides. I have had them for two years and they are great, but expensive. The frame suits my rear view mirror attachment too.

I had 20/10 vision (really) for most of my life, even though I had a slight corrective lens since I was 12. I can still drive (and bike) without correction, but a correction for near and medium vision is necessary. Besides reading, it is tough to read the bike computer. My biggest loss has been in my hobby of open sight, long range markmanship. They don't make glasses that will focus on a rear sight, front sight, and a 400 yard target the way a young human eye could.

I have several pair of the DeWalt saftey glasses, in both clear and gray lens, that work great for me. These are my bicycle glasses, and also work well doing yard work, running a string trimmer, or a chainsaw. I no longer have to carry readers in my seat pack, and I don't worry about ruining them with a little Rain-X on the lens. If you just need some near-vision magnification when riding, I suggest these.

http://www.envirosafetyproducts.com/category/bifocal_safety_glasses_reading_safety_glasses

If you just need some near-vision magnification when riding, I suggest these.

http://www.envirosafetyproducts.com/category/bifocal_safety_glasses_reading_safety_glasses

I just use the stick on OPTX lenses on my Oakleys for near correction. Before putting them on you can cut them smaller so they take up very little of the sunglass lens. They form a strong attachment but are removable.

If you find your current progressive multifocal, or visible segment bifocal or trifocal, interfere with your vision while riding, you can also try applying a "press-on segment" with plus power way down low, high, or to either side of one or both lenses, giving you the ability to see near when required.

Note that they would need to be applied to a pair of single vision distance lenses only, not to your multi or bifocal lenses.

Neat little items, we use the prism press-on's when a temporary or trial r/x is needed...much cheaper than making up a full r/x lens, and then have to eat it when the patient has a change.

Also very popular with golfers, mechanics (need to look up to see near), stationary engineers, ect,

3M Press-On Optics

These ultra-thin Fresnel lenses are designed for pre- and post-operative trial fittings, inexpensive vision therapy, during power changes, and for instant corrections on sports goggles and sunglasses. The lenses, made of polyvinyl chloride, are available in 1.00D to 40.00D prisms, plus powers to 16.00D, minus powers to 14.00D and D-25 segs to +6.00D. 3M Press-On Optics, all only 1mm thick, are comfortably lightweight for patients to wear and can be easily applied to any eyewear, whether prescription or plano carrier lenses.


http://www.fresnelprism.com/3MPOP.html
http://http://www.fresnelprism.com/images/1Applying3MPressOn.pdf

I had Lasik done years ago, but still need reading glasses (+1.25 or +1.50 depending on how tired my eyes are). Sometimes I wear S&W 30-06 Readers safety glasses when I ride to the store since they are bifocals and I don't have to carry my reading glasses with me:
http://www.tasco-safety.com/sglasses/ol3006c1_5ib.jpg
Come in clear or tinted lens and the magnification part is at the bottom so you really don't notice it under normal viewing circumstances. The nose piece is very comfortable, conforms to your nose, and pretty much helps the glasses stay in place on your face.
http://www.tasco-safety.com/sglasses/magnification-safety-glasses.html

I wear a pair of Rudy Projects (Rydon) with snap-on Rx insert which has "classic" bifocals. I think he (SportsOptical.com) might have placed the bifocal a little lower than normal, but this combo works very well for me - good normal vision, but able to read all the computer data, plus maps if I need to.

"They don't make glasses that will focus on a rear sight, front sight, and a 400 yard target the way a young human eye could."

The human eye cannot focus on 3 different distances at once, only 1!
You always focus on the front sight. Everything else is going to be blurry.

If I told you guys how blind I am, you'd be taking up a collection to buy me an accordion and a monkey.

If I told you guys how blind I am, you'd be taking up a collection to buy me an accordion and a monkey.
Or hold a contest...guess Louie's vision in each eye and win a monkey and an accordian?

"They don't make glasses that will focus on a rear sight, front sight, and a 400 yard target the way a young human eye could."

The human eye cannot focus on 3 different distances at once, only 1!
You always focus on the front sight. Everything else is going to be blurry.

Of course. I should have said "they don't make glasses that enable you to quickly move your focus from a rear sight to front sight to a 400 yard target", while remaining motionless or nearly so. And everything is getting a lott more blurrier.

My biggest loss has been in my hobby of open sight, long range markmanship. They don't make glasses that will focus on a rear sight, front sight, and a 400 yard target the way a young human eye could.

You may want to try a Merit Optical Device to attach to your glasses or your sights. I shoot handguns. A friend let me borrow his, and it made a difference. http://www.meritcorporation.com/