Sunglasses? I don't get it...
06-30-11, 07:28 PM
#1
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Sunglasses? I don't get it...
OK I know that most cyclists wear sunglasses, both from being in BF as well as my clubmembers.
But I really don't get it.
Here's why...
Number one, I have always preferred CLEAR Lenses. I feel that I can see my surroundings best that way.
Number two, the few times I have tried tinted lenses, I seem to miss some nuances in road surface which makes for surprise bumps etc. which I find very disconcerting.
Number three, I don't seem to ever be bothered by the sun. Maybe that's because I live in the NorthEast and we have lots of trees, so if the sun is low in the sky it is typically blocked by the trees?
Anyway it's no big deal and the correct answer is "if you prefer clear lenses then just use them" which is what I am doing, but maybe I am missing something?
Of course I always use eye protection, but for me at least clear is the clear winner.
Any ideas?
But I really don't get it.
Here's why...
Number one, I have always preferred CLEAR Lenses. I feel that I can see my surroundings best that way.
Number two, the few times I have tried tinted lenses, I seem to miss some nuances in road surface which makes for surprise bumps etc. which I find very disconcerting.
Number three, I don't seem to ever be bothered by the sun. Maybe that's because I live in the NorthEast and we have lots of trees, so if the sun is low in the sky it is typically blocked by the trees?
Anyway it's no big deal and the correct answer is "if you prefer clear lenses then just use them" which is what I am doing, but maybe I am missing something?
Of course I always use eye protection, but for me at least clear is the clear winner.
Any ideas?
06-30-11, 07:33 PM
#2
Former Hoarder
I was like you until I hit my mid 40's. Then the eyes started to go and I became much more sensitive to sunlight.
I now wear glasses pretty much full time indoors.
As for sunglasses - rose tints are the ones for me. Day or night.
I now wear glasses pretty much full time indoors.
As for sunglasses - rose tints are the ones for me. Day or night.
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06-30-11, 07:35 PM
#3
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I almost never go outside without sunglasses
06-30-11, 07:38 PM
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You obviously don't have blue eyes and fair skin. Family history of macular degeneration. Have an uncle in his late 50s starting to go blind, and he isn't even on the side of the family with the fair skin! I wear sunglasses whenever practical in hopes of offsetting that as long as possible.
06-30-11, 07:40 PM
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06-30-11, 07:42 PM
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You obviously don't have blue eyes and fair skin. Family history of macular degeneration. Have an uncle in his late 50s starting to go blind, and he isn't even on the side of the family with the fair skin! I wear sunglasses whenever practical in hopes of offsetting that as long as possible.
I still don't get it. Maybe that's ok.
06-30-11, 07:45 PM
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06-30-11, 07:45 PM
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I usually use clear as well for the same reason, though I think I might be able to find some lenses that are super light for a bright day.
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06-30-11, 07:47 PM
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06-30-11, 07:48 PM
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It's ok that you don't get it. You must be lucky that your eyes aren't hyper-sensitive to light. I get terrible headaches if I'm outside in the sun without tinting. Eye doc told me to wear sunglasses. I even wear them in the pool when I'm playing with the kids.
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06-30-11, 07:49 PM
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06-30-11, 07:56 PM
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If you do, maybe that's why the sun doesn't bother you as much.
I never put the visor on my helmet since I always wear sunglasses.
But I miss it when it's raining......................
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06-30-11, 07:56 PM
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I believe a clear lens will have the same UV protection as other tints within the same product/model line. Comes down to personal preference, what your eye likes.
Okay found a source
https://www.geteyesmart.org/eyesmart/...ns/q090305.cfm
https://www.geteyesmart.org/eyesmart/...ns/q090305.cfm
Question:
My husband believes that the UV coating on his prescription lenses is enough to protect his eyes from the sun. What recommendations do you have concerning prescription lenses with UV coating versus sunglasses? Thank you.
Answer:
UV coatings on prescription clear lenses are as effective as those on sunglasses. It is not the dark tint that is important. Plastic lenses need to have a UV coating applied. Polycarbonate lenses block UV rays without an additional coating. UV rays are involved in the development of cataracts, eye-surface problems like pterygia and pingueculae, and macular degeneration. UV protecting lenses may reduce your risk of developing one of these problems. If you purchase non-prescription sunglasses, make certain that they block 100 percent of the UV rays. Dark glasses that do not filter UV light may actually put your eyes at greater risk because your pupils may remain larger, thus allowing more unfiltered UV rays to enter.]
My husband believes that the UV coating on his prescription lenses is enough to protect his eyes from the sun. What recommendations do you have concerning prescription lenses with UV coating versus sunglasses? Thank you.
Answer:
UV coatings on prescription clear lenses are as effective as those on sunglasses. It is not the dark tint that is important. Plastic lenses need to have a UV coating applied. Polycarbonate lenses block UV rays without an additional coating. UV rays are involved in the development of cataracts, eye-surface problems like pterygia and pingueculae, and macular degeneration. UV protecting lenses may reduce your risk of developing one of these problems. If you purchase non-prescription sunglasses, make certain that they block 100 percent of the UV rays. Dark glasses that do not filter UV light may actually put your eyes at greater risk because your pupils may remain larger, thus allowing more unfiltered UV rays to enter.]
Last edited by ricebowl; 06-30-11 at 08:47 PM.
06-30-11, 07:56 PM
#16
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First, if the lenses block UV, clear is fine.
Going from memory, I came across a study years ago (done on runners) that squinting actually induces enough muscle tension to affect running efficiency. Don't know if it would apply to the same extent to cycling.
Going from memory, I came across a study years ago (done on runners) that squinting actually induces enough muscle tension to affect running efficiency. Don't know if it would apply to the same extent to cycling.
06-30-11, 08:02 PM
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The future so bright I gotta wear shades
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06-30-11, 08:02 PM
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Maybe the light just doesn't bother me. I have never used sunglasses, with cycling, driving, or life in general.
I would post a link to "Sunglasses at night" but too tired/lazy.
06-30-11, 08:03 PM
#20
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Eyes very sensitive to bright light since I was a kid. Plus in Florida, the sunshine state............................cheap sunglasses do not cut it
06-30-11, 08:04 PM
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06-30-11, 08:06 PM
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Silly boy. Reread my posting. I miss some subtleties in the road (bumps, cracks, undulations etc) when I use tinted lenses. Maybe I am a control freak but I don't like these surprises.
06-30-11, 08:12 PM
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06-30-11, 08:13 PM
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The right shade/color and polarized lenses make a HUGE difference. I learned this skiing where it is hard as hell with the different light variations to see the terrain. I am light sensitive as I have blue eyes so i wear them almost always and have photochromic lenses in my glasses when I am too lazy to wear my contacts.
The whole point is to protect your eyes from the effects of the suns UVA/UVB rays. Most car windshields now have protection on them to block these rays. If the clear lenses you are using have this then it shouldn't be a problem, if they do not you might want to consider finding some that do or sunglasses to protect your eyes. You only get one set and you are stuck with them for life, take care of them now because you can not undo the damage later.
The whole point is to protect your eyes from the effects of the suns UVA/UVB rays. Most car windshields now have protection on them to block these rays. If the clear lenses you are using have this then it shouldn't be a problem, if they do not you might want to consider finding some that do or sunglasses to protect your eyes. You only get one set and you are stuck with them for life, take care of them now because you can not undo the damage later.