Glasses. Prescription or Contacts? Photochromic
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Glasses. Prescription or Contacts? Photochromic
Postby DennisEdwards » Sat Apr 20, 2024 10:12 pm
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!
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Re: Glasses. Prescription or Contacts? Photochromic
Postby Mozziediver » Sat Apr 20, 2024 11:22 pm
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.
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Surly LHT 2013, '74 Raleigh 20 folder updated, Focus Aventura2 ebike.
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Re: Glasses. Prescription or Contacts? Photochromic
Postby am50em » Sun Apr 21, 2024 6:38 am
In low light to bright sunshine.
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Re: Glasses. Prescription or Contacts? Photochromic
Postby Arbuckle23 » Sun Apr 21, 2024 10:41 am
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.
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Re: Glasses. Prescription or Contacts? Photochromic
Postby Retrobyte » Sun Apr 21, 2024 11:32 am
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 wrote: ↑Sun Apr 21, 2024 10:41 amI 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.
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Re: Glasses. Prescription or Contacts? Photochromic
Postby Arbuckle23 » Sun Apr 21, 2024 12:28 pm
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Re: Glasses. Prescription or Contacts? Photochromic
Postby Ivanerrol » Sun Apr 21, 2024 3:32 pm
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.
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Re: Glasses. Prescription or Contacts? Photochromic
Postby Mububban » Mon Apr 22, 2024 10:47 am
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.
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Re: Glasses. Prescription or Contacts? Photochromic
Postby find_bruce » Mon Apr 22, 2024 2:11 pm
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
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Re: Glasses. Prescription or Contacts? Photochromic
Postby TomH » Mon Apr 22, 2024 8:44 pm
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.
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Re: Glasses. Prescription or Contacts? Photochromic
Postby AUbicycles » Wed Apr 24, 2024 3:05 am
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.
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Re: Glasses. Prescription or Contacts? Photochromic
Postby Aushiker » Wed Apr 24, 2024 1:56 pm
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?
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Re: Glasses. Prescription or Contacts? Photochromic
Postby Andy01 » Wed Apr 24, 2024 6:54 pm
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.
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Re: Glasses. Prescription or Contacts? Photochromic
Postby Aushiker » Wed Apr 24, 2024 11:15 pm
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.
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Re: Glasses. Prescription or Contacts? Photochromic
Postby Andy01 » Thu Apr 25, 2024 9:23 am
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.
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Re: Glasses. Prescription or Contacts? Photochromic
Postby Aushiker » Thu Apr 25, 2024 8:52 pm
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Re: Glasses. Prescription or Contacts? Photochromic
Postby Andy01 » Fri Apr 26, 2024 8:36 am
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Re: Glasses. Prescription or Contacts? Photochromic
Postby Aushiker » Fri Apr 26, 2024 10:48 am
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Re: Glasses. Prescription or Contacts? Photochromic
Postby Aushiker » Mon Apr 29, 2024 8:24 pm
"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"
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Re: Glasses. Prescription or Contacts? Photochromic
Postby AUbicycles » Wed May 01, 2024 2:58 am
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Re: Glasses. Prescription or Contacts? Photochromic
Postby Aushiker » Wed May 01, 2024 10:53 am
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.
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Re: Glasses. Prescription or Contacts? Photochromic
Postby OnTrackZeD » Wed May 01, 2024 5:51 pm
By the sound of it that local business needs no support.Aushiker wrote: ↑Wed May 01, 2024 10:53 amI 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.
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Re: Glasses. Prescription or Contacts? Photochromic
Postby AUbicycles » Thu May 02, 2024 2:22 am
https://albaoptics.cc/optical-clip/
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Re: Glasses. Prescription or Contacts? Photochromic
Postby Andy01 » Thu May 02, 2024 8:42 am
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.Aushiker wrote: ↑Wed May 01, 2024 10:53 amI 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.
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.
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Re: Glasses. Prescription or Contacts? Photochromic
Postby Aushiker » Thu May 02, 2024 1:34 pm
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