I don't have any problems with tears, but when my eyes get cold I can't focus right! Its actually kind of scary.

I've only ever had the "ice cream headache" effect when it's down to about -30C. I don't ride when it's that cold, because I've taken one fall on ice and I'm not keen to repeat the experience (when it's -20C or below and you fall, it hurts a lot more).

I thought from the thread title that you hurt your eyes by viewing something really hideous!

It happens to me almost every morning. It only lasts for a few minutes when I first start riding and it goes away after a few wipes.

Pretty Foxy looking too!

Anyone else wear contact lenses? Does anyone get that feeling like they are going to fall out when you leave a warm building and go outside in the cold?

Just changed mine to disposable ones that you can wear overnight, they let more oxygen get to the eye and it seems to have fixed the problem.

If the North Island of New Zealand has one outstanding feature its we don't get much Ice, seen it once since I moved here. Done black Ice back home. I remember a mate I worked came off his bike after hitting a patch whilst cornering; of course he never had a helmet and banged his head. He said he was fine but when I handed him a a report to take to another department and bring back another. He came back with the same report and asked what he was supposed to do again and then just stood there staring into space. 5 mins later we are taking him to The emergency department. Sure enough concussion.

I used to commute that way before moving to another street and would have hit the patch myself, mind you I do wear a helmet.

I was always afraid that my contacts would dry out on my commute (I wear 30 day ones by CIBA, but I take them out nightly anyway), especially with some fast descents. It didn't happen during the winter, though, so I don't think it is going to. This week, it has been in the 20ºFs when I leave for work, but in the winter sometimes it was down in the single digits.

The only thing I do get is that teary effect. I can't recall ever having any streaming down my cheeks, but sometimes I do look like I have just finished sobbing like over some high school break up at the prom or like I'm just about to burst into it. It goes away, though, so I don't mind it too much. No one has ever commented to me about it either. Maybe that's because I don't see too many people when I first get done riding or that the sun still isn't up, but maybe it's because my welled up eyes make me look like a basket case and I could explode at the slightest provocation.

HeeHee! Definately the "Basket Case" look surely? ,(or should that be Surly on a bike forum? ). Talk to your optician next time you go. I found the worst eye for the falling out feeling was the one with astigmatism, (sp?) Since changing lenses that feeling has gone, mind you its not been really cold here yet we are just heading into autumn

I wear sunglasses year round (I have interchangeable lenses that are clear, yellow, and dark). It's significantly safer, imo. Bugs, branches, road debris can all hit your eyes.

Actually, I feel somewhat vulnerable without them.