Prescription eye glasses vs. contacts

[tommcgee]

Has anyone switched from prescription eye glasses to contacts? Was it a good choice?

They don't work for everyone. I have way too much astigmatism.

I keep a bottle of Fog Tech in the tankbag to deal with fogging glasses in the winter. It works.

http://www.fogtech.com/fogtech.html

[MOTOR31]

I tried contacts and found they dried out my eyes and irritated them significantly. I went back to glasses happily. I also use transition lenses so that I don't need dark glasses in the day time. I've had surgery on my eyes before, the experiance was not pleasant either time and I'd just as soon reduce the possibility of trauma to the only set of eyes I'll ever have.

[Rpbump]

I'm quite happy with progressive lens glasses that change with the light (Transition). Ride Safe

[RINTY]

I've had progressives (bi-focals) for a couple of years now and really like them. I just re lensed an old pair of Ray Ban Aviators, which work well under a helmet.

Rinty

[K1150RT]

Contacts are an indivdual choice, not for everyone maybe, but if you want to see all around there is no comparison. I have worn hard and hard gas permeable lenses for 32 years. I have severe astigmatism, take a high degree of correction, have kerrotconus (sp) and now wear progressive bifocal lenses. I have never had problems with the dryness or redness that everyone talks about here. There is no comparison to the correction I would receive with glasses, to my vision with contacts. I haven't had glasses as a back up either for the 32 years. I wear my lenses from when I get up until I go to bed and have worn them for two days at a time when needed. I work for a utility and when a storm hits sometimes you have to stay until it's done. If you think you want to try them do. Let the decision on if you are a good canidate be between you and your eye specialist. If you can find a doctor who specializes in contacts do, I think they have much better results than the places that have you come in the door and out with the lenses in an hour. As you can tell I wouldn't trade my contacts for anything and they don't prevent me from doing anything either.

[amiles]

The wife was trying a system whereby you wear only one contact for near sightedness. Apparently the brain gets used to this and so one eye is good for long & one for short distances. Sounds kinda screwey but apparently it works well for many.

[RINTY]

amiles:

There are quite a few people who do this, actually: one eye for distance, one for close up.

Rinty

[calmil]

Many good points are made in this thread. Their diversity reminds me a lot of discussions on the forum site about the most comfortable seat, the best performing tire, the most protective oil, the best beer ..... etc. If we were all the same and of like mind, we would be a boring lot indeed.

So many factors (which are unique to each individual) influence success or failure of contact lenses wear. Some of them include:

Corneal sensitivity and contour
Eyelid contour, function and health
Normal/Deficient tear production and function
Potential lens-related allergic reactions
Nature of refractive condition to be corrected with the lenses and the lens type
used/required
Motivation to use and to properly care for contact lenses

Having fit contact lenses for some 32 years in my ophthalmology practice, I would estimate that 90+% of prepresbyopic (no near vision problems) persons are able to satisfactorily wear lenses. This drops to 60-70% in the presbyopic age range. And yes, there is a higher corneal infection/ulcer rate with extended (continuous) wear. The decision for such needs to be tempered by personal need and accompanied by scrupulous lid hygiene and appropriate lens replacement.

I am one of those unfortunates who is uncomfortable with any contact lens style. It would be more convenient to deal with a helmet without glasses but have found that the use of a Slik headliner makes putting a full face articulated helmet on pretty easy. Keeping the helmet in the garage so it is cool in the morning also makes fogging less of a problem. The Nolan helmet has very good air movement as well, although occasionally it helps to crack it open a bit.

EyeBiker

'05 R1150 RT (sold)
'07 R1200RT

[kbasa]

Try Cat Crap, an anti fogging solution. It's available in ski shops everywhere.

RainX used to make some stuff called FogX that worked pretty well, too.

[tommcgee]

Try Cat Crap, an anti fogging solution. It's available in ski shops everywhere.

RainX used to make some stuff called FogX that worked pretty well, too.

Fog Tech is easier and works better on prescription glasses than Cat Crap. It's easier because it's a liquid and a drop on the lens spread with a finger dries instantly. CC need buffing after application.

I use Fog Tech every day when temps are down.

[ZIGZAG]

I know it's not the answer your looking for but have you considered Lasik surgery? I wore glasses over 40 yrs. and never without them could see the largest letter on a eye exam. Two years ago my wife talked me into having Lasik surg. I was just speechless! Had this done on a Fri., the next day drove myself to the eye doctor was tested and had 20/20 vision.
As far as I'm concerned it has made my riding that much safer.

[bmwgsrider]

Thanks for all the responses.

I went to the eye doctor today and things did not turn out as planned. I have such small eyes, he was not able to put the contacts in my eyes. He said he has never had this problem before with anyone. He said they could custom make contacts to fit my eyeballs but they are hard type of lens and could possibly bother me especially if I am not use to wearing contacts. He said that I could try it and see what happens. If it did not work, I could get my money back.

I opted out on the contacts after all the trouble he was having. It is probably for the best. I have stigmatism. I am also legally blind in one eye. He was only wanting me to wear the contact in one eye because my other eye useless. I did not like that idea either.

No one has talked to me about surgery for my eyes... I am not sure if that would be something I would want to do.

Right now, glasses it is. At least I now know contacts will never work for me.

[r184]

One last thought. I wore contacts for 25+ years. Except for my eyes drying out with extended wear, they were OK. But on a bike, they would dry out fast.

Now that I'm retired, I stopped wearing contacts and stay with my glasses. I did have a pair of prescription sunglasses made though. With the slightly oversize lenses, they protect my eyes when the visor is up (which was really handy during a recent close encounter with a pair of bee's). I carry my regular glasses (with the transition lenses) and swap them for the sunglasses as needed.

[aaaaaa]

Eye surgery... I remember feeling the clamps holding my eyelids back.
robert

[GSAddict]

I know it's not the answer your looking for but have you considered Lasik surgery? I wore glasses over 40 yrs. and never without them could see the largest letter on a eye exam. Two years ago my wife talked me into having Lasik surg. I was just speechless! Had this done on a Fri., the next day drove myself to the eye doctor was tested and had 20/20 vision.
As far as I'm concerned it has made my riding that much safer.

+1 on the Safety aspect
Contacts for 25 years, then lasik 4 years ago.
20/20 in both eyes (eye exam last weeK)
Absolutely thrilled with my decision although I know this procedure is not for everyone.
One has to get used to the reading glasses though (I am 51)
My solution for the helmet is below.
Makes reading the Zumo a pleasure