ncscott

Hey all,
I seem to only get this problem when on a bike. If my eyes need to tear up due to wind or cold or something like that, they get very painful. It feels like sweat in my eyes. I would think it could be a dirty helmet, but it happens in the cold when I'm not sweating and nothing is running into my eyes. It is especially bad when it rains and the rain gets in my eyes as well. Its getting a little bit dangerous as I have to close an eye due to pain.
Anyone else have this problem???
Scott

dit

I don't have the problem nor am I a doctor but have you tried wearing goggles or snug wrap around sun glasses? It may eliminate your problem.

thenomad

see a doctor.

Unknown Cyclist

If you try glasses or sun glasses, make sure they are close fitting.

With some normal sunglasses (at speed) the wind seems to go around them and end up focussed on your eyeball.

You could try swimming goggles ?

JanMM

Ever try over-the-counter lubricating eye drops?
As above, glasses that keep the wind out of your eyes.
If no relief, see an eye doc, or another practitioner.

Machka 

Yes ... all the time. It's normal.

And the tears sting because you do get sweat and road grime etc. in your eyes. Just because it is cold does not mean you're not sweating. There is still salt (and road grime) on your skin.

What happens to me is that my eyes tear up to the point where I can't see, and of course my first reaction is to reach up and try to wipe my eyes ... and that's when the stinging begins because my hands are salty/dirty and I'm rubbing salts/grime from my face into my eyes. If I can stop and carefully dab my eyes with a clean tissue, I'm OK.

It doesn't just happen when I ride ... I've had it happen while walking too.

BaggerSteve

Use a riding goggle or wrap around sunglasses that have a foam gasket that hugs your face. I have a few pair that I use when I ride my motorcycle. They are Harley branded, but any motorcycle shop should have their version. You can change lenses in the more expensive ones, clear or dark. Or you could buy a couple pairs of the less expensive ones, clear and dark. This is what I did.
The sunglasses are very low profile.
Hope it helps.

Unknown Cyclist

How about Ski Goggles ?

Skiers must get cold air in their eyes.

Machka 

I'd love to be able to wear goggles, or something similar, but because of my vision, I cannot.

Unknown Cyclist

Actually, I quite like the brass ones....

f4rrest

I have a similar issue with any air that gets around my sunglasses (Tifosi), so I use Ektelon racquetball goggles that fit very closely instead. $10 from Amazon. No more tears.

ncscott

I guess I should have pointed out that I wear rx glasses with a prescription that can not be translated into sports shields.
Thanks for the suggestions...

Unknown Cyclist

rx ?

JanMM

prescription=Rx

rbrian

Ordinary glasses make it worse. Eyelashes are designed to keep grit and dust out of your eyes, and they do a good job when the wind is coming from the front. Ordinary glasses cause the wind to curve around behind, causing turbulance at the side, making your eyelashes useless. If you can't use wrap around sports glasses, then big chunky ugly goggles that fit over your ordinary glasses may be the only solution.

Unknown Cyclist

How about contact lenses ?

Machka 

<<shudder>>

rbrian

bagster

Try wearing a sweatband and see if that helps. Also, do not apply sunscreen to your forehead if you wear a helmet. Some brands will run when you sweat and really get your eyes to stinging.
When the weather heats up, I sometimes have to stop and wash my eyes with a squirts from the water bottle. You might try that.

Unknown Cyclist

How about corrective eye surgery ?

rbrian

You do know they keep you awake through that? Lying on your back, unable to blink or look away, your eye held open by a device straight out of Clockwork Orange, while they shine laser beams into your eyes?

Unknown Cyclist

Maybe..if you go for laser.

The russians are world leaders at corrective eye surgery.

Without lasers.

They examine the eye and correct whatever problems they find surgically.

Much better solution and you don't end up colourblind.

mackerel

utter nonsense

Unknown Cyclist

Seems a bit harsh.

I'd say it's entirely true, from my own experience.

At speed the airflow delaminates at the edge of the glasses, almost focussing it onto the eye.

If you aren't convinced try wearing John Lennon style glasses on a motorcycle - the wind becomes so focussed on your eye it feels like someone is pushing a pencil into your eyeball.

Again, from personal experience (entirely independent 'utter nonsense' for anyone who is wondering)

rbrian

Ah, ok. Much better to be strapped down with your eyes forced open while they poke around with sharp implements! That's even worse than the dentist!