Contact lenses
#26
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 756
Likes: 0
From: SoCal
Bikes: custom built roadie
Originally Posted by uberclkgtr
I cycle in very dry weather (the Arizona desert) every day with contact lenses - 18 miles a day, plus more on the weekends. The lenses don't fall out, and they don't dry out. I use the day/night ones that one doesn't have to remove every night. You can sleep in them and basically keep them in for a month straight. (I take them out to wash them once a week).
#27
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,643
Likes: 2
From: Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
Bikes: '71 Raleigh Sports, '84 Schwinn LeTour on the trainer (and available for hill repeats), '06 Scott CR1 SL (Ksyrium SL), and a yet-to-be-determined TT bike.
When you first start wearing contacts, it seems as though you have to keep puttin' drops in all the time. Eventually this goes away. Another concern is: how much correction do you require? If it's large, especially with astigmatism correction, you have to be careful with regard to how tightly you squeeze your eyes shut, or to how high or low you roll them. Otherwise, they could roll on you, or otherwise pop out onto your eyelashes. But if you are aware of this possibility, and don't do those things, and keep them adequately hydrated, you shouldn't have a problem. Took me a while to get used to mine playing doubles tennis. So not good when you can't see the ball just before it hits ya between the eyes! 
I wear contacts that should be cleaned at least every two weeks, and worn for a max of four.
I shouldn't tell you this, but I've been wearing the same pair since end of March. Non-stop. Yeah, I know. Time to change 'em out. If anyone wants to trade lives with me, I welcome a PM.

I wear contacts that should be cleaned at least every two weeks, and worn for a max of four.
I shouldn't tell you this, but I've been wearing the same pair since end of March. Non-stop. Yeah, I know. Time to change 'em out. If anyone wants to trade lives with me, I welcome a PM.
#28
no longer a newbie
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 181
Likes: 0
The fit of your contacts may be adequate for normal, every day wearing, but that fit may be comprised but the sporting activities unique requirements.
When biking, most road cyclists heads are not completely vertical, and the cyclist typically has to direct their gaze upward to see straight ahead. In doing so, a contact lens will be forced up against the upper lid, and the lens may then be pushed downward, resulting in the lens fitting not on the cornea, but more on the sclarea (white portion), which is curved differently than the corneal surface.
Result - lens will not be hydrated correctly, will tend to lift up and away, move off the cornea, and might even be blinked off.
Possible solutions- speak to your eye care professional about contact lenses fit specifically for sports, typically, larger diameter lenses, that provide move coverage. Might be worth the added expense, if specs are a problem.
When biking, most road cyclists heads are not completely vertical, and the cyclist typically has to direct their gaze upward to see straight ahead. In doing so, a contact lens will be forced up against the upper lid, and the lens may then be pushed downward, resulting in the lens fitting not on the cornea, but more on the sclarea (white portion), which is curved differently than the corneal surface.
Result - lens will not be hydrated correctly, will tend to lift up and away, move off the cornea, and might even be blinked off.
Possible solutions- speak to your eye care professional about contact lenses fit specifically for sports, typically, larger diameter lenses, that provide move coverage. Might be worth the added expense, if specs are a problem.
#31
runnin' down a dream
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,767
Likes: 0
From: Somewhere out there
Bikes: Turner Flux, Orbea Onix Dama.
I LOVE contacts for sports. I've even worn them white water rafting & didn't lose a lens.
I find that wind & dirt do irritate them, but if you wear sunglasses it isn't so bad.
They do take some getting used to - but still, soooo worth it.
I find that wind & dirt do irritate them, but if you wear sunglasses it isn't so bad.
They do take some getting used to - but still, soooo worth it.
#32
Originally Posted by VegaVixen
I shouldn't tell you this, but I've been wearing the same pair since end of March. Non-stop. Yeah, I know.
FWIW, I switched from B&L solutions to Ciba Clear Care during the fungus scare last year, and I've found that I can get up 2-3 months out of a pair. This stuff is awesome (and sort of cool- scrbby-bubbles get yer lenses really clean). Not shillin'- just sayin'...
#33
no longer a newbie
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 181
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by VegaVixen
When you first start wearing contacts, it seems as though you have to keep puttin' drops in all the time. Eventually this goes away. Another concern is: how much correction do you require? If it's large, especially with astigmatism correction, you have to be careful with regard to how tightly you squeeze your eyes shut, or to how high or low you roll them. Otherwise, they could roll on you, or otherwise pop out onto your eyelashes. But if you are aware of this possibility, and don't do those things, and keep them adequately hydrated, you shouldn't have a problem. Took me a while to get used to mine playing doubles tennis. So not good when you can't see the ball just before it hits ya between the eyes! 
I wear contacts that should be cleaned at least every two weeks, and worn for a max of four.
I shouldn't tell you this, but I've been wearing the same pair since end of March. Non-stop. Yeah, I know. Time to change 'em out. If anyone wants to trade lives with me, I welcome a PM. 

I wear contacts that should be cleaned at least every two weeks, and worn for a max of four.
I shouldn't tell you this, but I've been wearing the same pair since end of March. Non-stop. Yeah, I know. Time to change 'em out. If anyone wants to trade lives with me, I welcome a PM. 
The lenses you wear are called "planned replacement", meaning that they should only be used for a period of time determined by your ECP (eye care professional). There is a lot of flexibility in the process, some patients can only go 2 weeks max, others can safely wear the same pair for 3 or 4 months. Primary factors that affect wearability...compliance with DAILY cleaning and disinfection, and the individuals tear film. Excessive protein buildup from tears will accumulate on the lens surface, and they will begin to feel dirty. When that happens, it's time to discard, and open up a fresh pair.
Please tell me that you are removing them, and not sleeping with them on.
#35
no longer a newbie
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 181
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by MTBLover
VV, you do take them out at night, though, right?
FWIW, I switched from B&L solutions to Ciba Clear Care during the fungus scare last year, and I've found that I can get up 2-3 months out of a pair. This stuff is awesome (and sort of cool- scrbby-bubbles get yer lenses really clean). Not shillin'- just sayin'... 
FWIW, I switched from B&L solutions to Ciba Clear Care during the fungus scare last year, and I've found that I can get up 2-3 months out of a pair. This stuff is awesome (and sort of cool- scrbby-bubbles get yer lenses really clean). Not shillin'- just sayin'... 
Ciba Clear Care is a hydrogen peroxide (bubbles) based cleaning and disinfection system, and it is also one of the best available.
Always best to check with your ECP before switching solutions, as you may be allergic to a preservative, or the lenses may not be compatible with the new solutions.
#38
Originally Posted by 89quattro
Ciba Clear Care is a hydrogen peroxide (bubbles) based cleaning and disinfection system, and it is also one of the best available.
Always best to check with your ECP before switching solutions, as you may be allergic to a preservative, or the lenses may not be compatible with the new solutions.
Always best to check with your ECP before switching solutions, as you may be allergic to a preservative, or the lenses may not be compatible with the new solutions.
#39
I wear soft lenses and run the Ophthalmology department in a Medical Center in NYC. At first, wearing contacts are distracting. You get over that initial hyper-sensitivity. I swear by them now. I never feel the need for re-wetting drops although that is an excellent suggestion, especially for the new contact wearer.
Good luck.
Good luck.
#40
Originally Posted by Per Olav
Both of mine fell out on my first TT. Was not pleasant, I have a vision of - 6.50 on both eyes, so I was practically blind. Was able to finish, though.







