Those of us that are blind?

[Lozza2442]

Hey ya

Just wondering what the other blind riders on here do?
Glasses or contacts?
If glasses, do you find it interferes with your helmet/digs into your head?
If contacts, do you find that they dry out, what do you do if they do dry out and you're stuck in the middle of nowhere?

[bogan]

The main feature I looked for when choosing my frames was slimness so they would fit in my helmet all good.

I also use them off road, with some OTG (over the glasses) goggles. They do put a bit more pressure on the nose bit, but its not noticeable while riding.

[pzkpfw]

Last time I got glasses I got glass lensed ones for normal use and plastic lensed ones for bike use.

The plastic ones were so if I crash they don't so likely turn into glass shards in my eyes. Also got them so they go dark in the light, as I can't wear sunnies+glasses in the helmet and didn't want to bother with a tinted visor.

So far it's been fine. Chose narrower softer frames for the bike glasses, and they are OK inside the helmet. Bit of extra hassle when taking helmet off when getting petrol.

Main issue now is the frame on my not-bike glasses broke (funnily enough, not the glasses I jam into my helmet), so now I wear the same glasses everywhere, and because the bike ones are narrow I've got permanent dents in the side of my head.


I've heard that in a crash the helmet can make the bridge of the glasses dig into the top of your nose, and know one person who specifically wears contacts because of that.

[cynna]

when i wear contacts i normally have sunglasses on so they dont dry out. worse experince i had with contacts was after a 1000k adventure ride over 2 days - contacts got ruined by the dust. i now just use disposable ones from clearlycontacts.co.nz. works out to be about $2 a pair so cheap enough to carry spares

[p.dath]

Used to be contacts, then it was surgery.

[nerrrd]

Used to wear contacts a long time ago...until one late night ride from Auckland to Lake Tarawera, when fog meant I had to ride most of the way with the visor up and my eyes got very dried out. Arrived safely but was so tired I then went to sleep with them in...eyes got "sensitised" (?) and I was never able to wear contacts again for long periods comfortably.

Never had a problem with glasses and helmets - shoulder checks though are a real problem for me with progressive lenses, as I have to turn a long way and wait for my eyes to focus, so I probably don't do them as often as I should...

[Lozza2442]

Has anyone gotten prescription sunglasses?

[Tigadee]

At the moment, I carry prescription sunglasses for when it's sunny, and put on my regular glasses when it's dark. In time, I'd like to get the ones that turn dark automatically, like Pzkpfw's. I wear a flip-front helmet, so glasses are not a bother...

[Lozza2442]

Glasses. At the moment, I carry powered sunglasses for when it's sunny, and put on my regular glasses when it's dark. In time, I'd like to get the ones that turn dark automatically, like Pzkpfw's. I wear a flip-front helmet, so glasses are not a bother...

Are the flip-fronts easier for putting glasses on and taking off? Are they slightly wider at that point or something? Or just not having to shove them through the visor bit?

[F5 Dave]

Flip fronts compromise the helmet, I'd avoid them (ensuing argument starting . . .Now). Anyway contacts are sweet in helmets. I had my first problem on a bike with them in 24years last weekend during a race but it sorted itself out in a few laps. Glasses are a pain in helmets, if you can wear contacts - do so. Can you?

[xXGIBBOXx]

long sighted , so glasses at work , tinted visor in summer . glare will kill my eyes in ten minutes . Gold / orange visor works the best for me .

[GrayWolf]

Are the flip-fronts easier for putting glasses on and taking off? Are they slightly wider at that point or something? Or just not having to shove them through the visor bit?

Yes they are easier to put the glasses on, however, what I have found is the best solution, is a 'cheapo, Mitre 10' Dremmel and I just 'relieve' the polystyrene inner at the top of the ear to accommodate the extra thickness, and if needed a small 'slot' to accommodate the glasses frame/arms. Most lids these days have a flip down sun visor, so the worry about sunnies is fairly moot, but I have 2 pairs glasses, one reactolight, one normal pair. (Mainly due to only prescription sunglasses being allowed in my job).

[cynna]

Used to wear contacts a long time ago...until one late night ride from Auckland to Lake Tarawera, when fog meant I had to ride most of the way with the visor up and my eyes got very dried out. Arrived safely but was so tired I then went to sleep with them in...eyes got "sensitised" (?) and I was never able to wear contacts again for long periods comfortably.
...

contacts have changed so much these days. u can get ones were u dont have to take them out for a week or so. i used to fall asleep with mine in a few too many times as well. started getting problems with veins growing due to lack of oxygen to the eyeball or something. modern ones are way more comfotable and can wear contacts again with no trouble

[gijoe1313]

I usually ride with contacts in, usually no problem, but as you age, the eyeballs dry out faster (I used to like riding with the visor cracked open a tad). If I find I'm going on a longish trip, just pack some spare contacts and solution (just in case). I guess I should have packed spare glasses as well in case I get that "scratchy/itchy" feeling.

I've ridden with glasses and like previous posters had the usual issues, but a little care and patience and no problems. Flip down visor helmets I prefer, so I don't have to wear sunnies at all.

Damn my genetic inheritance as a slitty eyed chink!

[Lozza2442]

if you can wear contacts - do so. Can you?

I can and do, been having some issues lately though (unrelated to riding) so need to get a refit when this lot run out (in less than a month).
Before you ask/say I should be getting it check right now, it's just that I need to get the diameter remeasured in one of my eyes cause it's been playing up after several hours of wearing in air conditioning when I'm tired/bored at work after spending many hours pretending to work and actually being on this and FB haha.

Contemplating going back to "monthly"s as I had less issues with them than I am with "daily"s