[Closed] Eyewear options for a specky four-eyes

Been using BZ optics bifocal photochromics which are great but only for the reading bit. Mate of mine wear contacts and then the same specs so he can read his phone and mend stuff. Dual eyewear also do shades with the same idea for proper sunny days

Cycling glasses with plain lenses and clip-in inserts with prescription lenses. Google "RX insert". Mine are Adidas Evil-Eye but others are available (and probably better).

Assume there's a good reason for not using contact lenses?

I got lasered. Problem solved and lots cheaper than contact lenses and prescription sports glasses too

Optilabs - about to pay them a visit tomorrow.
Will let you know how I get on (I am -7) and current frames from them need reglazing.
Might even be tempted by a new pair.

Contact lenses, or get a normal but sporty looking frame glazed with tint, mirror finish, whatever.
Inserts will work as well, but get them thinned so they don’t rub on the external lens.

Contact lenses are unfortunately a non-starter as i’ve one heck an astigmatism too so they just don’t fit. Inserts look like a good option.

You answered your own question. Just wear goggles. You'll be surprised how many people are doing it.

I use Rudy Project Maya and Adidas Zonyk.
Can't have laser my Moorfields consultant has confirmed that this would not be good.
Can't do contacts - way too sensitive.
Oh, -11/ -12 prescription so am unable to function without optical assistance.

I use Adidas Evil Eye half-rims with inserts - I've just given up contact lenses because of all the disposable plastic involved. Honestly, I really miss contacts and planar (Oakley) shades. The Adidas inserts are a faff - they need cleaning much more regularly, they fog up between the lens and the insert and once a bit of sweat or mud gets between lens and insert you have to stop, dismantle and clean. The Adidas sunglass lenses seem to be made of some sort of transparent cheese, although the inserts themselves seem to be resisting scratching a bit better. I can't recommend them.

If I get sports glasses with inserts can i get an outer that sheds rain drops?

safety glasses were the answer for me, my prescription is +10, so any kind of wraparound was a no-no. The wraparound protection is in the frame rather than lens.

I’ve used squash glasses for years surfing, cycling and basically anything where I may crash as I could not have contact lenses and they have worked fine. Didn’t care if people s****ed (never noticed anyway) as it was either used them or not get out there.

Just left Optilabs, first class service. Huge range to try on a lab on site. Really knowledgeable technician chap served me.

Not as blind as you (only -4ish) but I use Rad8 prescription glasses. The have a hydrophilic coating (not as silly as it sounds) and I find that they are really good at anti-fog. Just had a wee peep at the website and I can't see how you get prescription lenses now but I'm sure that they would be able to help if you contact them.

Im -6.5 with an astigmatism in left eye. I can wear contacts no bother.
How long ago did you come to the conclusion that contacts are unsuitable?
Reason i ask is that standards have improved immeasurably in the last 20yrs.
Obv, if you’re optician told you this last week then ignore me 👍👍

rockandrollmark - I'm about 3.75 and strong astigmatism. There was some trial and error with different brands but once that was sorted I get on fine with contact lenses for riding. I had some that would rotate slightly and cause bad vision.

I went to Optimax for laser and they wanted me to proceed, then tried a posher place that trade on reputation rather than pushy sales tactics and time limited offers, and they said I was borderline on the astigmatism for satisfactory laser.

I then tried hard night lenses that you remove in the morning and your eye is 'moulded' back to the correct prescription, and I was borderline on them. Did a trial and after a couple of weeks I was still getting variable vision each day (had a huge pile of assorted weak contact lenses and got quite good at correcting my prescription on bad days!). I gave up with them and they said its the same sort of problem you may get with (permanent) laser, which put me off the laser for good!

i’ve one heck an astigmatism too so they just don’t fit.

I also have a fair bit of astigmatism and lenses are fine for me. I'd recommend getting a second or even third opinion as contacts are the most fundamentally cycling-life changing thing possible. I'd rather ride a £200 bike in contacts than a £9k superbike in glasses, and I'm not joking.

As above - contact lens tech changes regularly so keep asking.

Have Rudy Project Rydon and Agon both with inserts and they both work great.

Thanks for that, Spooky. That’s always been my worry with getting my eyes lasered. For the majority of cases it’s fine, but knowing that my eyes are not within the bell-curve if I were to explore the option it wouldn’t be with the supermarket types.

My contact lense experience was less than ideal, but this was 10 or so years ago now. They’d be fine for a while but then every now and then my vision would just “go”. Not ideal when trying to navigate rocks and roots at speed.

Looks like RX inserts are probably the safest bet. Shame about the feedback by some on Adidas Evil Eyes as they look pretty decent in some ways. Will take a look at some of the offerings from Rudy etc.

My contact lense experience was less than ideal, but this was 10 or so years ago now

Def worth another look. Also, there are many options, not all of which are carried by all opticians. They should work with you trying all the options to get something that works - usually at no cost, it's free in the hope that you then subscribe (or at least it was for me at Specsavers many years ago).

So what I found was my vision would be OK but as soon as my eyes started to dry (car air con, wind during riding) the lenses would rotate slightly. I could correct it by nudging them back but incredibly annoying. They can order them in different axis to account for your eyes but if they do not return to the correct orientation that's when you get issues. I now have lenses that suit me and I avoid aiming air con straight in my face, and always wear close fitting sports glasses (non-prescription) when riding to keep the wind off.

I'm interested in the RX insert approach as if I do a short ride or an hour commute it seems a waste to use daily disposables, especially as I don't like wearing them all day unless I'm actually riding.

RockandrollMark.
I have some evil eyes with inserts can give you. Will send you a message.
You will need to reglaze the inserts. This is NOT cheap.
I was quoted well over £100 by an optician for 1.67 index thin clear lenses.