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Prescription Riding Specs - Advice please
NB: Originally posted elsewhere on the Global Riders Network and appears via syndication.
Can anyone advise on getting prescription glasses for riding? I can't wear contacts anymore and need bi-focals. So good riding specs are in order. Anybody using frames (for script lenses) that you like? Can anybody suggest a good sports optometrist? Thanks in advance. Tim 
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depends entirely on what the actual prescription is & how curved the frame is.
If you have a prescription over say -2.50 you may suffer from the fishbowl effect when choosing your frame. There are lenses which compensate for that. Unfortunately they cost a bomb. But they are worth it.
You can also choose frames with clip on but again It realy depends on your personal tast. how much field of view you want & your Prescription.
If you live in the Lane Cove or Northern Beaches area I can recomend several Optometris who can deal with that for you. Just PM me.
I bought some Oakley Radar. You can interchange the lenses and buy prescription versions. Think you can find the closest dealer here:
http://au.oakley.com/women/store/prescription
They're $$$ but I've been really happy with the quality.
Like you I need bifocals due to astigmatism, but that ain't gonna work too well for riding glasses so bought the distance prescription. Not being able to read the fine print on the back of a gel packet isn't going to hurt me as much as mistaking a dust pile for a solid berm.
Yep, they cost an arm and a leg, partly becasue I got Transitions lenses to allow for night riding without needing a second prescription pair for bright daylight.
I have to say the lack of distortion is pretty good. The only hassle was during the first week somebody kept moving the ground away each time I put my foot down as I walked, but after that whoever was doing it left me alone and went away to plague some some other unsuspecting new spectacle wearer.
Firstly I am not associated with this in any way guy , just a very very happy customer.
I was looking for sunglasses for riding, after a lot of research I found this guy
http://www.eyecareplus.com.au/wynyard/index.htm
He hooked me up with a great pair of Rudy Projects, and I now get all my glasses from him and have
for the last 4 years, actually picking up a new pair next week.
His advice is awesome, he will do lenses that others won't (Oakley etc..)
Mind you he is not cheap, but what price do you put on your vision ?
He stocks all high quality specs.
I also have astigmatism and have put clear prescription lenses in. Great for night rides or on dull days.
transition glasses would be great!
Hi there,
After I went OTB and luckily didn't smash my day to day glasses I realised I have to have something more appropriate for riding. I searched and found this: http://www.dibbleoptical.com/dibble_website_025.htm
They look a bit bulky, but they are light and durable. I love it that they cover almost all my eye sight, so there are no dead spots (those that are outside the lens, where you see things blurry).
If you want and not sure where to get them then PM me.
My 2c..
I suffered the same problems with prescription glasses for riding. Contacts never worked as I have astigmatism. 6 weeks ago I had LASIK done to both eyes. Very little pain and could see fine the next day. Now I ride with the freedom of NOT wearing prescription glasses.
Yes it is expensive but for the cost of a new bike you'll never have to worry about glasses again!
Rudy Project, not cheap but great glasses: http://www.erudy.com.au/shop/pages.php?pageid=8
I didn't get riding specific as I spend a lot of time on the water or driving.
Simply got my favourate Oakley iridium polarized glasses done in my script, cost $400 and I supplied the frames. They were shipped to US, turn around was reasonable and finished result was a better set of lenses than OPSM made for my standard optical glasses.
I find my rides are either out in open where I use the Oakleys or in trees or at night where I ride in my standard opticals.
Transition lenses may be something I consider next time but so far picking one or the other has been fine.
It made a big difference to my riding, my script is for long distance and still mild but stopped me having weird offs and detours into the bushes from misreading technical terrain.
In hot weather I need to take the opticals off briefly pushing up as I fog from time to time. Riding is no issue.
That's exactly my situation and why I bought the glasses. Had a couple of funny offs (as in would have been hilariious to watch) at last year's Mont on the night laps from misreading the trail, and binning it at Kiwarrak in October was the final straw.
Am hoping the glasses will have the same effect, and I'll be able to stay ahead of the girl in blue that I kept trading places with on the night lap 'cos I kept making stupid mistakes!
Wow! Thanks for so many informative responses. I'll start with Eye Care Plus (cheers Cookie). I really want multi-focals to be able to read maps and on the train. the laser option freaks me out big time, so not going there.
I put this option off for many years fearing 'what ifs' during the surgery. It is life changing and gives you such freedom (swimming, driving etc), and now a few of my riding mates have also had it done. No more changing in and out of contacts at races or going to bed and leaving them in! I was initially quoted something like $7K for both eyes but then was recommended a husband and wife team who run a very professional outfit at Kingsford and Double Bay (http://www.eyemax.com.au/) . It cost be $3K for both eyes in 2009. Reason they are so cheap is that they do not advertise etc so keeps their costs down. The service and support they offer is second to none. The first consultation to see if you can get the treatment is covered on medicare. If this is an option for you, call for an appt tomorrow!!!
Oh and you can claim the medical expense back on tax (well not all of it but something like 20%)
... because it worked spectacularly for a contractor I had working for me awhile back (he went from having to wear Coke bottle bottoms to needing no glasses at all) but was advised not suitable for me because my issue is astigmatism.... elongation of the eyeball. So I need distance vision AND reading glasses.
If the OP needs multi-focals, then it is likely he/she suffers astigmatism as well.