Sunglasses for the Shortsighted
 

It's time for a new pair of proper sunglasses, for sun protection not just while riding but during general activities as well. Now I am to a certain extent putting out my thoughts here and would like if possible anyone who disagrees to pipe up and give experiences.

So there are a number of choices.

1. Contacts with normal sunnies. Not really for me, I get very dry eyes and am unable to wear contacts to work due to the nature of work. I do wear dailies occasionally but heavily rely on eye drops as they make my eyes quite dry and irritated.

2. Prescription sunglasses. Still an option, however unfortunately at my script (very shortsighted) I can only get lenses in more traditional reading glasses style frames. This would mean I am not getting the sun protection of a more wraparound frame, which rather defies the point in my opinion. These frames are also generally less robust for more active activities.

3. Sunglasses that take a removable insert. More expensive, but can take my script, have the full wraparound frame and the prescription insert is removable so if I still have the option of wearing contacts. Which is handy as I do wear them to the beach. Downside are that the frames tend to be large (although it could be argued this would offer even more sun protection) and the insert could sit close to the eye, making it possible for eyelashes to touch, although I can test this out before purchase. Adidas and Rudy Project are the only brands I have found the offer this style. I am leaning towards this option.

So, can anyone else offer any added advice? Any ideas of other frame brands that can offer something similar to the third option? This will be a big purchase for me and I want it to be something that I won't regret and will last.
Thanks in advance for your feedback.

oakley prescription mframes?

I can't find the min/max prescription allowable with the lenses bu a friend of mine got these as sports shields and thinks they're great.

http://oakley.com/innovation/optical...y/prescription

http://oakley.com/mframe



There are other Rx options from oakley

http://oakley.com/search/rx+sunglasses

bicylerx
 

google bicycle rx.

Thanks for that, I'll have a look into it.

I am doubtful though.

The trouble with the curved frames (that offer better protection) is that it is really hard to get a high powered lens in there, becuase the lens would need to be extremely thick at the edges. It also makes it much harder to create a lens without optical distortion. I have a -8.00 prescription (blind yes I know) and every sunglass manufacturer I have looked at won't accept that prescription as a straight out replacement lens (instead of the normal tinted ones).

It's rather annoying becuase this is the sort of stuff that would be really helpful for people like me to read on the website but instead I have to try and contact, in this case Oakly direct becuase churls in eyewear stores (fashion stores) don't know and don't particularly care.

Hence googling bicycle rx will not help becuase for one, people have different definitions of 'rx' and the vast majority will not accept this prescription. Not to mention out of curiosity I did try it and in the first three pages after I gave up, there was only one reference to eyewear.

Acuvue Oasis for the dry eyes - if you haven't tried them already. Prescription sunglasses is just a bad way to go all around. You'll never get the peripheral vision and the naturalnness you'll get with contacts.

I use a pair of Fitovers. They're made in Australia and as the name says they go right over my prescription glasses and cover the sides as well. They're also polarized. What they're not is sexy. Go to www.fitovers.com.

Yes, fit overs solve many of the problems of cyclist except for fashion since they are all about
function. I ,too, have serious dry eye and find that the "Solar Sheild" brand my doctor gave me
do an excellent job al'round for dirt,sun,bug,& wind protection while still allowing me to wear
my normal glasses.

For the price a pair of good fit overs solve every cyclist eye problem except for the fashions slaves.

http://www.eyesave.com/brands/b281-d...ses/index.aspx

I'm at -6 or so and you're right the Oakleys stop at -5 something. Dag.

Anyway, I tried but can't use Rudy, Briko, or one other company's insert setup. Eyelashes hit lenses.

I just got a standard set of glasses (same frame as my normal set) and had the optometrist or whatever they're called put in Oakley black iridium lenses. These are my standard "sunglasses" now.

I also got some traditional (flat lens shape, don't remember the actual model) Oakleys with transition lenses. I'm not as happy with those as I have to be in full sun for the lens to get dark - and if I have a cap or helmet, the shadow is enough to prevent it from darkening. So in bright sunshine, desert conditions, 95-105 degrees, wearing a cap, the lenses stayed virtually clear. Yuck. I took off the glasses, held them in the sunlight, they darkened, put them on, nice and dark, they immediately lightened. They also don't darken if you are in a car.

I don't like contacts so I skipped that option.

I'll be returning to the eye guy to check out some more glasses.

cdr

I've got glasses with the clip-on-magnety sunglasses. As I'm very near-sighted, the glasses in question are fairly small, so the sunglasses are small, letting in lots of light around the periphery. I mentioned this problem to the guy at the optometrist's office, and he didn't have a solution, either. So you might be stuck.

I found an online store last summer when I was searching that makes "aggressive scrips". I didn't use them, but they will supposedly make lenses past the normal specs.

I'll search around and see if I can find them again. I think I searched for sport sunglasses prescription.

EDIT: try Heavyglare.com.

Just a little information. There is a new type of lens that has only been out for about 6 months. They go up to a -8.00 borderline (only if you have a very small frame). They are like transitions in that they change intensities but they never go completely clear. Lightest is a yellowish colour and darkest is your normal dark grey. The best thing though is that they react to light instead of UV rays (like transitions), so you can wear them driving a car or with a visor. Can't remember the lens name but you optomotrist dude should know. Was talking to mine the other day and he said the transitions lens guy said that you can use them while driving, you just had to hold the glasses out the window when you stopped at traffic lights. Hehehehe.

That heavyglare.com site looks cool in how they create the lens, thanks for that one. But it still doesn't look like it goes far enough.

Get a pair of extended wear contacts. Lot more comfy and longer wear times than dailies with minimal need to rehydrate your eyes or taking out your contacts during the day to clean them. I used to go the entire day (wake to sleep) without discomfort or having dry eyes whereas with dailies, I had to take them out every 4-6 hours and clean them because the drops weren't helping anymore.

I have clip-ons for my glasses. I also use a cycling cap with the brim set low to shade my eyes as much as possible. Works well and the cap helps keep the sweat out of my eyes.

Seems like no one's mentioned this yet... I've got a pair of titanium-framed glasses that take magnetic add-on shades, so it's basically the reverse of option #3. All things considered it might a worthwhile shot, BUT, even with a titanium frame, the add-on shades make my glasses extremely heavy, so much so that if my glasses are loose and I look down, they fall off (the glasses, not the add-on shades). I don't use them for cycling - I hardly use them in any case, but when cycling they become a liability. Some clip-ons might be much lighter though - all the same, it's something you probably should check.

Sports Optical in Denver will make sport glasses with custom ground lenses that don't need inserts. I don't know how much (I use inserts). Bret Hunter (the owner and optician) is a cyclist and is a very nice guy. Give them a call.

I use an adjustable elastic strap that attaches to the frame arms behind the ears which prevents my glasses from falling off while cycling. You can get these straps drugstores and some LBSs.

"Seems like no one's mentioned this yet... I've got a pair of titanium-framed glasses that take magnetic add-on shades"

That's what I have. But I think the problem the OP is having and that I have is that the lenses are small so they don't cover the entire field of view, so the sunglasses are also small. You're looking through a central shady area with bright light all around.

*cry* I'm in Australia.

I'm getting my optomotrist to look into some of the details, in particular the sunglasses that take inserts as there seems to be a little bit of contradictory information, or lack of information alltogether on the net. Optomotrist people seem to already have the contact and know who to talk to. I tried to ring up some manufacturers directly and they people I talked to didn't seem to know much.

I'll let people know here if I find anything out. Thanks for the advice so far, although I am still leaning towards option three.

If you're prepared to deal with a foreign supplier try http://www.optilabs.com/, in the UK.

They'll supply to your prescription

I have the same problem as the OP I'm -7.50 and have dry eyes. I wore extended wear contacts for years until last Spring and then my eyes just kind of rejected them. I got a sample pear of the Bausch and Lomb version of the Oasis contacts on Friday and so far I really like them. There is more glare than I like at night, but it seems to be getting better. So, for road biking it looks like I'll be able to use them. I never wear contacts for mountain biking because being able to see is so much more critical and I've never been able to see that reliably....sounds weird, but I don't want any more broken bones.....

You might try contacting these guys: http://www.zealoptics.com/. I don't have a radical Rx, but I do have a pair of their prescription sunglasses. The quality is excellent.

Oakley prescription O-matter frames. Different sizes for different heads; I'm using the XX's. Oakley is extremely good at curved prescription optics.

Bolle makes riding glasses that take inserts, I believe Smith's does too.

I use clip on sunglasses ($15 at the drugstore). They can also be flipped up if I go into an underpass or shaded section of the trail. Not wrap around but I have fairly large lenses on my glasses.

Being weak of eye, I've discovered Jonathan Paul "Fitovers". Fits right over my regular glasses, blocks the wind and I just love 'em. They're kind of clunky, so if you're sensitive how you look, they might not be your favorite pair of sunglasses, but they work very, very well. No glare, paid about $45.
They have a web-site: fitovers.com