Author Topic: Riding with contact lenses  (Read 260 times)

Offline Athame57

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Riding with contact lenses
« on: May 10, 2025, 10:23:52 PM »
A bit short sighted a topic I know ( * groan  ;D ) but does anyone here ride with contact lenses? I'm asking because it has become difficult to find current specs that are compatible  8) with a Bell open face helmet like I wear because thicker lenses mean thicker arms to bend into place (and break). My GF wears them but warns me they are easily blown out of place (  :o ) I would be wearing goggles at speed but does she have a point?
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1978 CB400F2 called Elen.

Offline Oddjob

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Re: Riding with contact lenses
« Reply #1 on: May 10, 2025, 11:24:05 PM »
Why not try bike glasses with prescription lens in them. I ordered a pair from Fat Skeleton, Daytona EVA foam padded reactolite with yellow lens. Great for wearing at night and also during sunlight, didn’t realise just how dark they get. No wind gets under them at all, frames are thin and aren’t uncomfortable even with my Shoei full face. Although mine aren’t prescription glasses they do do them.
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Offline Athame57

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Re: Riding with contact lenses
« Reply #2 on: May 11, 2025, 01:00:22 AM »
Thanks for that Oddjob. I've saved the site to favourites, it's an option now.  8)
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Offline DomP

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Re: Riding with contact lenses
« Reply #3 on: May 11, 2025, 07:10:38 AM »
I wear contacts, what i would say is the drying effect of wind in your face is most likely going to be the problem.  I find even car aircon or fans on high can make my eyes dry
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Offline Athame57

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Re: Riding with contact lenses
« Reply #4 on: May 11, 2025, 07:45:10 AM »
I wear contacts, what i would say is the drying effect of wind in your face is most likely going to be the problem.  I find even car aircon or fans on high can make my eyes dry
What happens with me is I'm likely to get watery eyes like I'm sad or peeling onions!  :'(
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1978 CB400F2 called Elen.

Offline Sesman

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Re: Riding with contact lenses
« Reply #5 on: May 11, 2025, 09:08:50 AM »
I wore contact lenses for many years with no problems. I used the daily disposable items. Ultimately though I had wavefront surgery and have enjoyed 20/20 vision since. I now suffer from the old person reading glass requirements!

Offline McCabe-Thiele (Ted)

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Re: Riding with contact lenses
« Reply #6 on: May 11, 2025, 10:38:50 AM »
I have a Bell Helmet purchased when I started riding my 400 back in May 2022, the front part opens up like a sharks jaw so its effectively open face in the up position. If I pull it down I have the option of the inside visor up or down, it's some sort of double skinned arrangement to stop it steaming up.

I tend to ride below 40 mph with the sharks jaw  slightly open. Once Im off I shut it fully. The helmet is designed to take spectacles, I recently changed my specs  for some so called unbreakable ones.

As long as there is a mirror handy I can easily feed my specs into the open face of the visor before I pull it down. I feel like one of King Arthur's Nights when I do this. I don't wear my hearing aids when riding my bike, I rely on my mirrors, eyesight plus I can hear without my aids its just dials the noise down by about 60%.

Would it be worth considering my type of helmet instead of an open face design?
« Last Edit: May 11, 2025, 03:45:04 PM by McCabe-Thiele (Ted) »
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Offline Laverda Dave

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Re: Riding with contact lenses
« Reply #7 on: May 11, 2025, 12:31:10 PM »
Quite a few helmets these days have cut outs in the side of the cheek foam specifically for the arms of glasses. My current Arai Chaser has this arrangement, my old AGV didn't and I broke a pair of glasses trying to feed the the arms into a non-existant gap.
I guess the helmet manufacturers realise the people who buy their helmets are getting older and need to wear glasses!
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Offline Athame57

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Re: Riding with contact lenses
« Reply #8 on: May 11, 2025, 02:40:06 PM »
I guess the helmet manufacturers realise the people who buy their helmets are getting older and need to wear glasses!
But do they know many of us (?) want to wear old fashioned helmets like the Bell I have? Being an awkward ass I want a helmet that suits me & Elen!  ;D
I'm presently wearing a £10.oo pair bought at the chemist, not as good as they should be but good enough....for how long though?
I brake for animals!
1978 CB400F2 called Elen.

Offline K2-K6

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Re: Riding with contact lenses
« Reply #9 on: May 11, 2025, 03:40:16 PM »
There are available product like this https://www.e-optician.com/products/prescription-snow-goggle-insert-flex-fit could be of interest and practical use when using goggles.

 

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