Glasses. Prescription or Contacts? Photochromic

[DennisEdwards]

I enjoy long road rides in and around Sydney. Start in the dark and finish in bright sunlight. Sometimes it's cold. Long decents into cold valleys. Sometimes it rains, a lot.
I have a prescription with astigmatism and a little long sighted. During the day I wear multifocals. R: S. +0.25 (X 93) C. -2.75 A. +1.00. L: S. +0.50 (X 82) C. -3.25 A. +1.00
I'd like to wear one pair of glasses.
If I wear dark prescription sunglasses I have to take them off in the dark and then I can't see.
My current non-cycling Oakleys fog easily on cold downhills so I have to take them off, and then I can't see.
Same for when it's raining.
Contacts won't correct for close up, or correct all of my astigmatism, but they'll get close and would be much better than nothing. But I've never worn contacts before.
If I had contacts then at least, if I have to take glasses off because of weather or fogging, the contacts will work fine.
But I don't want to ride for long periods in the dark with no glasses, so I need photochromic I think?
Contacts are relatively cheap daileys I can use for other activities, and I could pair them with cheap or cheaper glasses. Or multiple pairs/lenses.
There's always the danger you break an expensive pair of prescription glasses.
But I could get a pretty good compromise prescription lens in an Oakley or Rudy etc.
And then there's Saolar and other online only brands...
I'll get the contact lenses anyway, but I don't have to wear them if I get prescription glasses.

I'm completely lost. I just want a pair of cycling glasses!

[Mozziediver]

I have used photochromtic specs for decades. They are a bit pricey, but work as advertised.

Over the years, the response times (dark to light) have improved and dark is darker. You can combine the treatment with different lens types.
Ive not had any break, but wear and tear eventually add up, and usually the frames fail first.
<edit> And no better or worse than others in the rain. There are probably sprays to stp water beading and help rain flow off, but I haven't tried it.

[am50em]

I use https://www.bzoptics.com/glasses/pho-gr ... focal-lens
In low light to bright sunshine.

[Arbuckle23]

I use photochromic lenses in my Oakley Jawbreakers.
I can see my computer and other reading needs by using some stick on (with water) magnifying inserts.
I use OPTX, but there are others brands out there.

I rarely use my road prism lenses now, but have the stick on lenses for that as well.

[Retrobyte]

I use photochromic lenses in my Oakley Jawbreakers.
I can see my computer and other reading needs by using some stick on (with water) magnifying inserts.
I use OPTX, but there are others brands out there.

I rarely use my road prism lenses now, but have the stick on lenses for that as well.

Interesting - do they stay stuck on ok, even if it rains? I might buy a pair to see what they're like. I struggle to read my bike computer in anything but bright sunshine because I wear glasses for reading and computer but my distance vision is perfect.

[Arbuckle23]

Interesting - do they stay stuck on ok, even if it rains?

They are on the inside. Been there for 4 years without falling off so far.

[Ivanerrol]

I've used photo chromatics for years. Once, on a ride one lens fell out of the frame and it broke.
Photochromatics are useless driving the car. I bought a set of prescription sunglasses for driving.

I had both eyes cataracts done a couple of years ago. IOL's implanted. I no longer require prescription lenses for long distance Before the IOL's I had a lot of problems driving in the dark and the rain.
Couldn't use spectacles in the rain either.
I require reading lenses so have a set of bifocal photo chromatics. The upper part of the lens is clear only the lower bifocal is prescription.
I also have a set of Maui sunglasses which are clear for long distance and have small lower magnifying section for reading the phone or writing.

I also bought a set of cheapish yellow tinted lenses for low light and rainy situations.

You might ask your Optometrist next time you see him/her if you have cataracts which might need doing. My optometrist didn't bother to tell me - just let me buy new prescription lenses every year.

[Mububban]

I ride with contacts and sunnies (or clear or lightly tined lenses based on time of day/year). I find if I'm riding in anything resembling an aero position with glasses, I have to crane my neck up so I'm still looking through my lenses rather than over the tops of them where I can't see anything. With contacts on, I can just move my eyeballs not my entire head. I wear basic safety specs from Bunnings so having multiple pairs to choose from is not expensive, and I won't cry if they get lost or damaged.

If I'm riding solo around the hills near me, I'll ride in my normal prescription glasses. Slower pace, more sitting upright on the climbs rather than bent in the drops or hoods so no neck problems.

[find_bruce]

Photochromatics are useless driving the car.

I know this is true, but because I'm a nerd I had to understand why - photochromatic lenses use dyes, most commonly Naphthopyran, that change their molecular structure (ie switch between isomers) in response to UV light.

All glass blocks some UV-A, but the laminated glass used in windscreens blocks a high % of UV-A & UV-B, which is why your photochromatic glasses work less inside a car. Side windows are variable as to how much UV they block, so you can use your glasses to test how effective they are

[TomH]

I've worn glasses for long distance for 30 years, only started cycling properly 5 years ago. Used to wear my prescription normal glasses or sunglasses for cycling / running. My script is 2 and 2.5. Tripped over when running one morning as I had taken off my glasses due to fog / rain. Was sick of also not seeing properly when cycling in similar conditions.

I now use contact lenses. Use the daily ones but take them out after riding so get just under a week from a pair (store in lens carrier and wash with the lens stuff). I use some photochromatic glasses - had some cheap RockBros ones and now have some Rudy's and also have a darker pair for Ekoi for summer. If it's wet / foggy I find no glasses works best. I ride with some guys who have prescription riding glasses but as soon as it's wet / foggy they can't see.

Main disadvantage is that I have to hold my phone away to read it when wearing the contacts. I dropped down 0.25 for the contacts as this still gives good road sight but can see phone a bit easier.

[AUbicycles]

For fogging while moving, it could be down to the fit i.e. airflow and if air can move past the frame. If the frame is againts your head, it can block air fliw and trap air.

Similarly, you don’t want air flow so that it irritates your eyes, but there needs to be some to provide a little circulation to block fogging.

In practice, finding the right frames (before buying) can be tricky as each face, fit and preference can differ, so this doesn’t help to select the right brand and style, but hope it helps you look in the right direction.

[Aushiker]

I slight change in the direction of the thread. I am looking for a pair of wrap-around glasses that will take prescription lenses that are photochromatic, polarised (preferred) and transitional.

I do like the look of the Rudy Project Rydon, but at ~$1,000 before rebates,, they hurt the pocket a bit. My searching hasn't been that great in terms of finding an alternative at a more reasonable price. What am I missing, if anything?

[Andy01]

Isn't photochromatic/photochromic & transitional lenses the same thing ? Maybe I got that wrong - optomistrists that I have bought glasses at called their photchromatic/photochromic lenses "Transitions".

Be aware that IME some screens (especially the older style monochrome screens) don't work well with polarized lenses. I used to fly remote controlled helicopters, and while the polarized sunnies were great for flying, they were awful for seeing the radio's screen.

[Aushiker]

Isn't photochromatic/photochromic & transitional lenses the same thing ? Maybe I got that wrong - optomistrists that I have bought glasses at called their photchromatic/photochromic lenses "Transitions".

I think you are right. Photochromatic refers to light changes, going from clear to dark and vice versa. I probably should have been more specific and referred to multifocal transition lenses, which is the term my optometrist uses.

[Andy01]

I have been told previously by optomistrists that they will not do a multifocal lens on a wraparound frame, but there might be some who will.

I found some standard aviator-style frames at Specsavers a few years ago that are nice and deep (deep is good for multifocal as it makes it easier to avoid a narrow "corridor") and had multifocal transitions lenses put in and I use those for cycling. They are not the most sporty look, but then again, I am not the most sporty look at 60yo either. They work for me.

[Aushiker]

Well, from my research, Rudy Project provides them, as do BZ Optics, Vision Direct, and Eyesports, so I guess it can be done now.

[Andy01]

The optometrists (two different shops) told me that they can do it but they don't recommend it because they are prone to distorting images on the curved part. One actually told me that they have had too many complaints and come-backs so they simply wouldn't do it and they other said that they would do it, but I needed to acknowledge a waiver about it.

[Aushiker]

Ah well, I guess I will find out.

[Aushiker]

Update from the optometrist [they are the local optometrist specialising in Rudy Project):


"I’ve had a look at your prescription, and we can do a direct fix. Currently, the Rudy Project photochromic lenses from Italy are out of stock until mid-May. However, if you’re on a time-crunch, we do have another lab that specialises in sports lenses that we can use.

Visionary Optical"

[AUbicycles]

Alternative idea, a brand that has prescription lens inserts behind a wrap. Alba Optics have these and I recall they are not cheap, but combining reasonable pricesd prescription lenses (with or without photochromatic or transitions) with wraparoubd (likewise with or without photochromatic lens) nay give you the best of both worlds.

[Aushiker]

I have considered that option, but it is not for me.

Interestingly the local optometrist, who is a Rudy Project dealer has quoted $1500 for the glasses, whereas Rudy Project online are charging $1,010. That is a lot of difference to support a local business.

[OnTrackZeD]

I have considered that option, but it is not for me.

Interestingly the local optometrist, who is a Rudy Project dealer has quoted $1500 for the glasses, whereas Rudy Project online are charging $1,010. That is a lot of difference to support a local business.

By the sound of it that local business needs no support.

[AUbicycles]

Here is the Alva Optics solution. I have no affiliation but the clip is 59 euro, the sports models 159 - 209 euro and then you would have the cost of your lens, cutting and fitting… even transitions style fitted would be priced significantly under the Rudy Project option:
https://albaoptics.cc/optical-clip/

[Andy01]

I have considered that option, but it is not for me.

Interestingly the local optometrist, who is a Rudy Project dealer has quoted $1500 for the glasses, whereas Rudy Project online are charging $1,010. That is a lot of difference to support a local business.

Wow, $1500 - that's a bit rough. Most optometrists charge around $280 for (normal shaped) top-of-range multifocal lenses, and $80-100 for Transitions treatment, so that is another $1100 for the frames and perhaps some extra for the wrap-around lenses.

My out of pocket (after MBP allowance) on my Transitions multifocals in "standard" aviator style frames (not wrap-around or "sports" frames) was about $150 from memory. Obviously no good if you want wrap-around sports frames though.

[Aushiker]

They quote $200 for the frames and $1300 for the lens. I am dropping by my optometrist on Saturday, so I will ask them if I supply the frame can they get the lenses for them.