What About the Eyes?
05-20-17, 07:26 AM
#1
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What About the Eyes?
Hi Fellow Commuters 
This was my first week of commuting on bike and it has been a very satisfying experience. I will definitely ride more and drive less to work now. And I thank you all for providing encouragements and advice (directly or indirectly)
Now, I have a small question. And please point me to another thread if this has already been discussed. My commute is 17 miles one way and it is all on back roads. However, the last couple of days, I've been having trouble keeping my eyes clean. The wind and passing vehicles would kick up some dust that would get into my eyes. So, I started wearing sunglasses. While that kept the dust out, it allowed sweat to get into my eyes
So, If I dont wear sunglasses, dust gets into my eyes.
If I wear sunglasses, sweat gets into my eyes.
What do I do?
My sunglasses are not any biking specific glasses though. Do I need to get biking specific glasses? Anything you guys can recommend?
TIA
Amitoj
This was my first week of commuting on bike and it has been a very satisfying experience. I will definitely ride more and drive less to work now. And I thank you all for providing encouragements and advice (directly or indirectly)
Now, I have a small question. And please point me to another thread if this has already been discussed. My commute is 17 miles one way and it is all on back roads. However, the last couple of days, I've been having trouble keeping my eyes clean. The wind and passing vehicles would kick up some dust that would get into my eyes. So, I started wearing sunglasses. While that kept the dust out, it allowed sweat to get into my eyes
So, If I dont wear sunglasses, dust gets into my eyes.
If I wear sunglasses, sweat gets into my eyes.
What do I do?
My sunglasses are not any biking specific glasses though. Do I need to get biking specific glasses? Anything you guys can recommend?
TIA
Amitoj
05-20-17, 07:31 AM
#2
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I wear these.
You may need to wear a sweat band to soak the sweat.
You may need to wear a sweat band to soak the sweat.
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05-20-17, 07:43 AM
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I use an older model of these.
https://www.bike24.com/1.php?content...5D=1;orderby=2
No need to change the lenses, since they are clear at night, and darker during daytime.
They protect from wind and insects, while not limiting the field of vision.
As for sweaty eyes - a cycling cap is a good option. Something like this, but without the adds and flags would be my choice:
https://www.bike24.com/1.php?content...gc=0;orderby=2
https://www.bike24.com/1.php?content...5D=1;orderby=2
No need to change the lenses, since they are clear at night, and darker during daytime.
They protect from wind and insects, while not limiting the field of vision.
As for sweaty eyes - a cycling cap is a good option. Something like this, but without the adds and flags would be my choice:
https://www.bike24.com/1.php?content...gc=0;orderby=2
05-20-17, 08:50 AM
#4
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Thread Starter
Thanks for the tips.
Cycling cap or sweat band, I'll have to carry an extra one for the ride back home. Given the amount I sweat, I dont think one would be enough.
Cycling cap or sweat band, I'll have to carry an extra one for the ride back home. Given the amount I sweat, I dont think one would be enough.
05-20-17, 09:12 AM
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05-20-17, 09:36 AM
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05-20-17, 09:39 AM
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There are plenty of sweat bands designed to go under helmets. An old roadie hack is to cut the top off a cycling cap and wear it backwards. The brim draws the sweat to the back and down the neck rather than into the eyes. Not the best picture, but see here. The Republic of Offthebackistan
05-20-17, 09:48 AM
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What About the Eyes?
A few years ago I suffered a corneal abrasion on a ride. If interested follow the link for a reference on the subject, to include symptoms, treatment and resolution.
A few years ago I suffered a corneal abrasion on a ride. If interested follow the link for a reference on the subject, to include symptoms, treatment and resolution.
I got a corneal ulcer (abrasion) once. I have no idea what cause it but it scared me witless...
As a public service announcement to my fellow cyclists, today I suffered a corneal abrasion. I did an 18 mile commute this morning into a moderate headwind but otherwise uneventful. I wear eyeglasses and had no problems with anything blowing into my eyes.
About one half hour after arriving at work, and just sitting quietly at a meeting, my eye felt like it had a particle in it. I saw no foreign material in the eyelid, nor did anyone else, and it was not relieved at an eyewash station. I was lucky enough to get an appointment with an eye specialist at about an hour after the onset, and he did identify some black particles, and diagnosed the abrasion. From an online medical textbook:...
My eye doctor claimed 24 to 48 hours to recovery, and my colleague (female), who asked me if I poked myself with an eyeliner wand, claimed she has gotten better overnight.
I wasn't able to work today as it was difficult even to just keep the uninvolved eye open because that irritated the affected eye. The eye doctor didn't think a patch would be useful, though I used an improvised one for a while until I realized it was probably further abrading the cornea.
I was given an antibiotic ointment and I've spent most of my day with my eyes closed. I took Alleve for the pain, and have some heavy-duty analgesics available if I need them to sleep tonight. Pain management to get over the initial phase is discussed in that article.
It's now about 15 hours after the onset of symptoms. I note improvement, and only now can keep my unaffected eye open long enough to work at the computer. I'm pretty nearsighted, and unfortunately the better eye is the involved one. The prognosis of quick improvement has been an encouraging thought to get over this. So that's what I learned about corneal abrasions, FYI.
About one half hour after arriving at work, and just sitting quietly at a meeting, my eye felt like it had a particle in it. I saw no foreign material in the eyelid, nor did anyone else, and it was not relieved at an eyewash station. I was lucky enough to get an appointment with an eye specialist at about an hour after the onset, and he did identify some black particles, and diagnosed the abrasion. From an online medical textbook:...
My eye doctor claimed 24 to 48 hours to recovery, and my colleague (female), who asked me if I poked myself with an eyeliner wand, claimed she has gotten better overnight.
I wasn't able to work today as it was difficult even to just keep the uninvolved eye open because that irritated the affected eye. The eye doctor didn't think a patch would be useful, though I used an improvised one for a while until I realized it was probably further abrading the cornea.
I was given an antibiotic ointment and I've spent most of my day with my eyes closed. I took Alleve for the pain, and have some heavy-duty analgesics available if I need them to sleep tonight. Pain management to get over the initial phase is discussed in that article.
It's now about 15 hours after the onset of symptoms. I note improvement, and only now can keep my unaffected eye open long enough to work at the computer. I'm pretty nearsighted, and unfortunately the better eye is the involved one. The prognosis of quick improvement has been an encouraging thought to get over this. So that's what I learned about corneal abrasions, FYI.
Last edited by Jim from Boston; 05-20-17 at 10:04 AM.
05-20-17, 10:22 AM
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IMHO, eye glasses and or sunglasses along with a "take a look" rear view mirror are about the most important safety equipment you can wear. The "take a look" mirror will help you with situational awareness but you will need to take the time to learn how to use the eye glass mounted rear view mirror, and it does take sometime to get use to. The eye glasses and or sunglasses will help protect your eyes from debris.
I never leave home without glasses and rear view mirror.
I never leave home without glasses and rear view mirror.
05-20-17, 10:46 AM
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I will not ride without sunglasses or at least clear lense glasses. There is far too much debris from passing cars and stuff just flying around in the air. Last year I took a bee sting to the neck at 22 mph and it nearly took me right off the bike. Was thankful that it was not in my eye. This year already, on the MUP here, around 17 mph with no pedestrian traffic, I took one to the glasses and it bounced right off. No cyclist should ride without glasses.
05-20-17, 10:53 AM
#11
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I am very frugal on my eyewear. In the morning (darkness) and or cloudy or stormy weather I wear yellow safety glasses from harbor freight. In sunny weather I wear dollar store sunglasses. I agree about the sweat band or hat to keep the sweat out of your eyes. Used to buy the expensive stuff in my youth. Really like the yellow glasses in the dark, cuts the glare of on coming headlights. They are also good for keeping rain, hail and snow out of your eyes.
05-20-17, 12:13 PM
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After 24 years of commuting with headbands, last summer I bought a Halo brand headband. It has a rubber "band" that sits above the eyes and acts as a gutter to shunt moisture outward away from the eyes. It works very well. I'm sorry I didn't try it sooner.
Halo Headband at REI
Halo Headband at REI
05-20-17, 12:28 PM
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There are plenty of sweat bands designed to go under helmets. An old roadie hack is to cut the top off a cycling cap and wear it backwards. The brim draws the sweat to the back and down the neck rather than into the eyes. Not the best picture, but see here. The Republic of Offthebackistan
As for glasses - debris is less of a problem here as well, it's the sun and the insects.
05-20-17, 04:07 PM
#14
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There are plenty of sweat bands designed to go under helmets. An old roadie hack is to cut the top off a cycling cap and wear it backwards. The brim draws the sweat to the back and down the neck rather than into the eyes. Not the best picture, but see here. The Republic of Offthebackistan
I will not ride without sunglasses or at least clear lense glasses. There is far too much debris from passing cars and stuff just flying around in the air. Last year I took a bee sting to the neck at 22 mph and it nearly took me right off the bike. Was thankful that it was not in my eye. This year already, on the MUP here, around 17 mph with no pedestrian traffic, I took one to the glasses and it bounced right off. No cyclist should ride without glasses.
I am very frugal on my eyewear. In the morning (darkness) and or cloudy or stormy weather I wear yellow safety glasses from harbor freight. In sunny weather I wear dollar store sunglasses. I agree about the sweat band or hat to keep the sweat out of your eyes. Used to buy the expensive stuff in my youth. Really like the yellow glasses in the dark, cuts the glare of on coming headlights. They are also good for keeping rain, hail and snow out of your eyes.
Thanks for that! It is exactly what I need to solve the sweat problem!
Last edited by Amitoj; 05-20-17 at 04:11 PM.
05-20-17, 04:55 PM
#15
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Try foam lined safety glasses to help seal out dust and debris. I wear these (Radians XT1-11 Extremis) on really windy days, especially on rural routes with chip seal and gravel roads where vehicles may kick up pebbles and worse. Some days are so bad my regular sunglasses don't keep dust and debris out so I'll wear these safety glasses instead.
The anti-fogging works and they're comfortable. The foam seal helps minimize sweat dripping down, but I wear bandannas anyway. I've always had a dozen or more bandannas around so I have a fresh one ready for every ride. They work as well as anything.
The Radians lenses are soft and scratch easily, however. They're still usable but next time I'll order something with more durable lenses and the foam seal.
One drawback to foam sealed safety glasses, which are like goggles, is they restrict peripheral vision. I use mirrors so it's not a big deal. But in group rides I don't wear these safety glasses -- I need to be alert to inexperienced riders in my blind spot, without having to turn my head to look around.
The anti-fogging works and they're comfortable. The foam seal helps minimize sweat dripping down, but I wear bandannas anyway. I've always had a dozen or more bandannas around so I have a fresh one ready for every ride. They work as well as anything.
The Radians lenses are soft and scratch easily, however. They're still usable but next time I'll order something with more durable lenses and the foam seal.
One drawback to foam sealed safety glasses, which are like goggles, is they restrict peripheral vision. I use mirrors so it's not a big deal. But in group rides I don't wear these safety glasses -- I need to be alert to inexperienced riders in my blind spot, without having to turn my head to look around.
05-20-17, 06:22 PM
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I'm glad you'll be keeping the glasses. I didn't always use glasses, because I didn't see the need. I now have a mild prescription for distance and a mild prescription for reading, as I'm over 50. I don't need the glasses to see, but they give me so much wind and dust protection, that I always wear them on the bike. When I'm not driving or cycling, I usually don't wear them, but there's no way I'll give them up on the bike. I also use them to hang my rear view mirror.
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05-20-17, 09:30 PM
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lol I need bicycle specific sunglasses. some sources have said that safety glasses like the type one would wear at work is ideal when riding which I only did once and was meh about that, otherwise I usually ride at night with my reading glasses. daytime I usually wear regular sunglasses . . . i suppose there's a difference after getting something that's meant for bicycling.
05-21-17, 09:00 AM
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Note that if your glasses touch your eyebrows, it creates a path for sweat to run into your eyes.
05-21-17, 10:03 AM
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It's an inside joke about arbitrary "rules" regarding cycling fashion. I wear mine outside of the straps to hold the strap down out of view of my mirror.
Personally I find regular sunglasses to be sufficient, or clear safety goggles when it's too dark or raining.
Personally I find regular sunglasses to be sufficient, or clear safety goggles when it's too dark or raining.
05-21-17, 11:03 AM
#20
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I wear a buff sometimes, and use it for hiking as well. One think I like about it is I can soak it in water from a faucet, etc. and it keeps me cool.
05-21-17, 11:09 AM
#21
Keep on climbing
Always wear some form of eye protection when you're riding! The wrap-around "sport style" sunglasses are nice if you have some high-speed descents or if the wind makes your eyes tear up, but otherwise, anything will do. My lenses are pretty scratched up from years of bug impacts and various other airborne debris.
As for the sweat issue... It was mentioned above, but Halo headbands are by far the best headband-type product I've used. They make a variety of styles; I use the skull-cup one to keep the top of my head from getting sunburned into a helmet hole pattern. Keeps bugs out of my hair as well... Again, find the style that works well for you.
Sunglasses and Halo headbands. Don't leave home without 'em.
As for the sweat issue... It was mentioned above, but Halo headbands are by far the best headband-type product I've used. They make a variety of styles; I use the skull-cup one to keep the top of my head from getting sunburned into a helmet hole pattern. Keeps bugs out of my hair as well... Again, find the style that works well for you.
Sunglasses and Halo headbands. Don't leave home without 'em.
05-21-17, 03:07 PM
#23
GATC
05-21-17, 03:09 PM
#24
GATC
I need distance correction so glasses per se are not an option for me (I do not have contacts). One coworker anyway always wears labglasses for eye protection. I am pretty sure I have had more bugs bounce off the back of my throat than off my eyeglass lenses but if I didn't have glasses on I might have a different opinion, I don't know.
05-22-17, 10:24 AM
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+1 I have a road-found headband that is not Halo brand, but also has a rubber sweat gutter, and I now find it essential for warm-weather riding, otherwise I'm wiping sweat out of my eyes all the time.