General Cycling Discussion - Burning Eyes!

While on long rides, I am having a problem with my eyes watering and burning. I had my eyes examined a few months ago and all is fine, so it is not some strange disease. Could it be from allergies or from the intensity of the sun or just riding fast; anyone else have this problem or any recommendations? :confused:

Thanks,
Gordon p

do you wear contacts? sometimes on my rides when i get into the zone, when i stop to wait for traffic, my eyes will start to burn and tear. Thats from the wind coming up under my sunglasses.

-Ross

It could be allergies. the wind.. dust.. you name it.. do you wear sunglasses when you ride?

I get it bad, i have figured out it is from sweat getting in my eyes, wear something on your eyes, atleast clear lenses or something.

Thanks for the responses, I do not where contact lens, but I do where dark prescription sunglasses. I think I may be allergic to grass, as I see a lot of suburban and country people cutting grass while on my rides.

You sure it isn't just the sweat getting in your eyes? This is a problem for me when on mtn bike rides that have long, slow climbing sections. Stopping at lights can also cause this on real hot days.

-Moab

If you are riding around here it is little, tennie black bugs!:eek:

uh yeah... it's probably dust or allergies.

easy solution is to wear sunglasses!

i used to not wear sunglasses cuz it just adds to the dorky look of a cycling outfit. but after suffering from itchy watery eyes for so long i decided it is a necessity

Probably just sweat. The salt stings your eyes. Grab a headband.

PS Gordon P, it's "wear" not "where". Sorry for pointing that out. :(

Are you wearing sunscreen? It could be a combination of sweat and excess sunscreen dripping into your eyes. Nasty!

PS Gordon P, it's "wear" not "where". Sorry for pointing that out.

Damn dyslexia!

I have a big problem with homonyms. Thanks. :o

I will try a headband today to see if that helps.

:beer:

Probably jusy allergies. I'm having itching burning watering eyes right now. The other day when I was riding I had to stop for a few minutes because sweat dripped down in my eyes and I couldn't see anything. Also managed to get drops of sweat on my glasses lens so that didn't help any either. I guess I should get a headband or something

Sorry Gordon P. Didn't know you were dyslexic. I will hold off on the homonyms in the future. As a teacher, it's very helpful to hear that about dyslexia. I don't have it so it's always good to hear others talk about the symptoms. I'll put homonyms on my list of things to be careful about taking off for (assuming the student has dyslexia).

Sweat in the eyes does burn, as I know from frequent experience. I need to find some sort of headband or head rag I can wear under my helmet.

The problem with sweat buildup is that the buildup will eventually saturate whatever you have there to absorb and block it and then you'll get a nice waterfall of sweat. Make sure you rinse it out with water and ring it out (I use a water bottle filled with water when I'm on a ride) occasionally. I don't wear a headband but I do do this to the pads in my cycling helmet. I usually don't have a problem unless I'm moving too slowly for the sweat to evaporate out of the pads via the airflow.

Oh, it's a good idea to occasionally thoroughly wash out the pads of your helmet too since nasties and dirt can build up there and the following rides may result in that stuff getting mixed up with sweat that drips down into your eyes.

I get the same thing, but it is due to getting sweat in my eyes. I wear contacts and I hate when it happens. It really hurts.

Ok, today was a +30 centigrade day and I rode 60 km. throughout the city. I wore a bandana under my brain bucket, and my eyes didn’t burn. I looked more like a biker then a cyclist though! Tomorrow I will take a ride in the country just to see if it is from perspiration and not from too much sun or from allergies. I will also was my helmet tonight!

It also helped to get rid of my Oakley old Zeros and I bought some half Jackets. Air seems to travel around them better and not allow sweat to run into my eyes. Just a thought.

Originally posted by Chris L
Are you wearing sunscreen? It could be a combination of sweat and excess sunscreen dripping into your eyes. Nasty!
Oh boy, are you right there! It's not pleasant when going downhill after a long, sweaty climb to have a combination of perspiration and nasty sunscreen get in the eyes, because you need every bit of vision to see the road!

Gordon, do you have a fixed gaze when riding. Sometimes the lack of movement of the eyeball causes the mucous to dry out. Randonneurs suffer from it at night a lot because of the tunnel vision effect of the lights. Think consciously to look around all the time. Take a small bottle of artifical tears with you. Otherwise, as others have said about allergies. The artificial tears may also help in that case.

R

BullFrog works pretty well for the face. Apply it about 30 minutes before riding and it'll soak in and stay out of your eyes...