What (if any) type of sight-enhancement do you use? At first I used my casual glasses, but with all the shaking it was disturbing. Now I use contacts, but they're tiring if used daily for a long period. I'd ride with my unarmed eyes, but I'm afraid of hitting something I can't see (I have -2.25). Any suggestions?

Regular glasses and prescription sunglasses.

Bifocals stink.

For some reason, my glasses don't jump around on my face at all. Maybe because they're featherweights? I don't know if all optometrists have that sort; it may be a "Lenscrafters" thing. I like them. Have you ever tried disposable contacts? It wouldn't help with having to wear them all day, but at least it'd be easier to take them in and out when they start to bother you, and you wouldn't have to worry about all the cleaning, etc.

I wear my contacts and wraps when I'm on the roadbike. I also carry the contact case and the Rx insert just in case I need to switch over in the event the contacts become troublesome. I haven't yet dared to wear my contacts while MTBing. I use the inserts for that which can be troubling because since you're not moving as fast or constantly, sweat can build up and drip down between the wrap and the Rx lens and there's no good way to wipe it off aside from stopping to remove the insert.

I have been wearing contacts for 17 years. The disposables are the way to go. They are supposed to be discarded after 2 weeks but I can get 3 months out of them. I take them out every night and use the No Rub solutions to clean them.

On the bike I had to use sunglasses that wrap around (like Oakleys) to keep the wind from blowing directly into my eyes and drying and irritating the contacts. I always used polarized lenses in my sunglasses as you can see so much better. Good idea to keep a little eye juice with you just in case.

Contact lenses and cheap sunglasses. Yellow for hazy, Grey for bright sun.

I have the kind of contact lenses that you are supposed to remove daily and dispose of after 2-3 months use. I take them out each evening. It makes a big difference in how they behave.

Try some "re-wetting" drops. These are available at the local drugstore and are a great help if your eyes dry out after a time.

regards
Dan

I dont understand wearing contacts AND shades on a bike, thats like taking shampoo AND conditioner into the shower.
I wear my standard prescription glasses, with plastic (U/V protection) lenses and Flexon titanium bendy frames, so they cant get damaged.

Lasik!

Some people need both shampoo and conditioner. |8^)

As for me, the contacts are so that I can see. The shades are so that I can see while being hit with harsh sunlight... it also keeps the wind from drying out my eyes. Additionally it's eye protection against things like dust, rocks, bugs, etc... Prescription capable shades seem to come in one of two forms.

[1] Shades that can accept prescription lenses. Some of the ones I tried didn't fit my face or didn't wrap around enough to keep out the side winds. The Oakleys had the best wrap-around and they do a neat thing by cutting the wrap and sealing the lens directly into it but the nosepiece just didn't agree with me. Oakley does claim that they can do the same thing for any lens wrap regardless of the brand so maybe I'll end up having them do it for my Rudy Project lenses at some point. Anyone who's had this done know what the cost might be?

[2] Shades that can accept prescription inserts. I eventually went with prescription inserts because it was a more flexible option. The inserts are simply wire sub-frames that clip to the inside (usually at the nosepiece) of the sunglasses. If I want to wear contacts then I just carry the insert in my jersey pocket in case I need to switch back.

You may need to wear your contacts more frequently and for longer periods to reduce how tired your eyes get from wearing them. I wear rigid lenses and had to gradually increase how long I wore them, and now I can wear them as long as I want. I agree with the suggestion of always carrying a lens case and wetting solution, you never know what may happen.

I wear disposable contacts for extended periods as well. Unfortunately, I recently discovered the danger of this when my optometrist found the protein deposits on the lenses had damaged the inside of my eyelids. So, I just ordered a pair prescription sunglasses - can't wait to try them out.

I prefer scrip sunglasses. I used to always wear contacts but found that on our local trails and racing that they can get dust on them that would irritate my eyes. I would use solution but it would not always help. The scrip glasses do get dirty but they are easier to clean.
Slainte

I use Bolle Parole glasses (for smaller faces - they make a couple of different styles and are not outrageously expensive) with the prescription inserts that I had done at the local eyeware place. They work very well, come with 4 different color insert lenses (orange, clear, brown and dark/mirrored) and a soft case. You can get them ground through mail order like Performance or Nashbar if you have your prescription. See their catalog.

The only think that is bothersome is that when I sweat a lot on the forehead the sweat will run down between the insert and the lens and then you have to take then apart to wipe off the gunk. Not a big deal - just double the work.

Riding without protective glasses is a pain since for me anyway my regular everyday glasses allow the wind, dust and bugs to come in around the sides and get into my eyes. OK for short trips to the store but not for an intense, long rides.

My gf does this. It makes sense. Regular glasses doesn't protect the eye from oncoming traffic (bugs, gusts of wind etc) as well as tight fitting 'sport' glasses. So she throws in the contacts and puts on her oakleys and rides.

I would too if I could get the nerve to touch my eye ball with a little piece of glass. AHHH

I had to wear Px eyeglasses for 2 months because of corneal ulcers. I don't like wearing them when I ride because unless I got those huge bug-eyed lenses, I didn't have the periferal vision I had with contacts. Now I can wear contacts, and do so on all but my shortest rides. I Smith Mainline wraps during the day. At night, when I ride home from work, I was going to get the clear inserts, since going bare dries my eyes out horribly, but found a cheaper solution, for the time being. I went to home depot and got a pair of the clear safety lenses that you wear like sunglasses. They're wrap-around, shatterproof, and best of all, only cost $4.

Up until about a month ago, I wore my prescription sunglasses.

I was on a trail ride in some heavy, heavy rain. My glasses were a mess and I'm blind as a bat without my glasses. The trail I was on is a difficult one when it's dry out; however, it was very entertaining when I can't see and it's wet.

Now I wear contacts and regular sunglasses on my rides. If it gets too nasty out, I can just take off the glasses.

Contact lenses and polarized sunglasses for eye protection, keep the eyes from drying out, and cut down on glare. I take along a small bottle of wetting solution in case the contacts dry out too much and also to wash away any grit that might get in my eyes.

I normally wear glasses, and I don't like contacts. My regular glasses -- or prescription sunglasses -- let too much dust and debris get at my eyes when I ride.

So I bought some Performance Radial glasses with the prescription insert. Very satisfactory; good protection, interchangeable lenses (clear/blue/amber), works with my Take-a-Look mirror.

And not too expensive at about $100 including the prescription lenses.

RichC

Contact lenses and sunglasses.

I have a corneal opacity in both eyes [slight cataracts] that wa caused by the light in the incubator I occupied as a preemie in 1964. It's not a problem, though I am extremely sensitive to glare, so I always wear sunglasses when I go outside in daylight, even when it's overcast.

No probs with the contacts, BTW. Very comfortable.

I have the Bolle Paroles with RX inserts, too. They're great on the bike and I use them in the winter for X-C skiing as well. Fogging is sometimes a problem, but no worse than other sunglasses I've worn.

The different colour lenses are really good for overcast conditions, or where you're going from sunlight to shade etc., and of course the clear for night still gives good protectin from bugs etc.

I've been wearing contacts since I'm 16, and since I wear them to work out, it makes sense to wear them cycling. I wore my glasses with clipons for a while, but I worried about them breaking if I crashed. They are expensive! Lenses are the way to go, and the wraps keep bugs and stuff out of my eyes. I too have disposable lenses. Yes, if you take good care of them you can get longer usage out of them. Hint- my optician told me that even if you use "NO RUB" solution, rubbing them once or twice will increase their life span.

I've been wearing soft contacts since I was 14. I wear wrap around sunglasses (Bolle 404) in the day and clear lenses (cheap Nashbar glasses) at night or early morning.

I keep thinking I'd like to get them zapped but I'm just not comfortable yet with the technology.

Rx sunglasses. Nylon framed Bolles. Weigh practically nothing and are impervious to sweat or my pool water when I jump in after a ride. Since I like to spend time fishing and/or at the beach I spent the money to get them polarized. That's the way to go and I'm always left wondering how Oakley et.al can get so much money for non-Rx lenses that aren't even polarized.:confused:

My wife does the contact under shade route. I never got into contacts when I was younger and now find the idea of sticking things directly on my eyes somewhat nerve-wracking.