How To Pick the Best Perscription Cycling Glasses for You

09.06.2022

Types of Lenses To Try

The first step to finding a great pair of prescription safety glasses is understanding the specific hazards that your eyes face on a regular basis. Are you in an environment where chemical exposure is a possibility? Are you at risk of projectile impact on your job site? Take factors like these into consideration when you’re shopping for bifocal safety glasses and look for a pair that’s specifically designed for the eye hazards you may encounter.

Frame Technology To Look For

Consider where you are going to be riding. This can make a big difference in what will be the right eyewear for your needs.

Track: On the track, you primarily need to look forward (blind spots are not typically as important) and you are dealing with a lot of wind. Typically, a helmet with a visor will be the best option. If you need corrective lenses, consider wearing contact lenses underneath.
Street: When you are riding on the street, you likely aren’t going as fast as on the track. However, there are other drivers to contend with. Motorcycle safety glasses or goggles are likely ideal options at lower speeds. At higher speeds, you may need a helmet visor.
Off-Road: On the trail, you will usually be at much lower speeds than the track or street. However, there is a lot of debris and mud to deal with. Usually, motorcycle goggles are the best option.

Lens Technology To Look For

You will measure your temple-to-temple width to figure out the total width of your glasses, including the frames, lenses, and bridge. This measurement is used to determine the most appropriate full width of prescription glasses online to fit your face best. For this measurement, you will need a mirror and a rule. Using a photo for this measurement is inappropriate because it cannot be scaled to the accurate sizing; use only a mirror and a ruler for best results. You will measure from your left temple to your right temple. To do so, hold the ruler below your eyes in a horizontal position and measure the distance between the two temples and record your measurement for total width.

Note

Another vital part of gathering all of your face measurements is yet another temple measurement; this one isn’t from your temples; it is for the temples or arms of the glasses. To determine the correct length of temples for your glasses, you will use your total width. Temples on glasses usually come in three preset sizes but can also be found in ranges from 4.7 – 5.9 inches. The larger the whole width of your face, the larger the temples will need to be on your glasses.

Other Things To Consider

Finally, you should consider upgrading your eye protection. Many modern designs were created with vision in mind. They are specially intended to make it easier to see while staying safe. You could switch to a pair of safety glasses with good peripheral visibility, for example. A small upgrade can potentially make a big difference.

If your eyewear is older, it may have superficial damage or discoloration that makes seeing harder. Again, upgrading to a newer option can help. It is important to buy new protective gear periodically to ensure that it can keep you completely safe.

woman wearing prescription cycling glasses

FAQs

Can sunglasses be worn instead of cycling glasses?

Some may think that cycling glasses are an unnecessary expense and that sunglasses will work just fine as a substitute. While sunglasses may protect your eyes from the sun, as well as some wind and debris, they are not a substitute for cycling glasses, as they generally do not fit as well, and are at greater risk of falling off.

Do prescription cycling glasses need to be worn if you wear contacts?

Prescription cycling glasses should not be worn if you are already wearing contacts. If you have contacts, then simply wearing standard cycling glasses will be sufficient. However, you may find it beneficial to own a pair of prescription cycling glasses as a backup if you do not wear your contacts.

Do you need to wear cycling glasses on overcast days?

While there is less sunlight, and lower levels of UV exposure during an overcast day, that does not mean that there is no UV exposure at all. Additionally, cycling glasses can protect you from much more than UV rays. They also prevent wind and debris from affecting your vision or hurting your eyes. Because of this, it can be beneficial to wear cycling glasses, even if it is overcast.

What are the risks of too much UV exposure for your eyes?

There can be many different risks related to getting too much sun exposure for your eyes. One of them is increased sensitivity to light. However, there can also be other serious conditions, like conjunctival cancer, as well as cataracts and macular degeneration. Some of these conditions may not develop until later in life, but that does not mean that UV protection is not important.

Do you need different cycling glasses for different seasons?

Some may feel that they need different cycling glasses for different seasons. The choice to have multiple pairs of glasses is entirely personal. If you have glasses that are limited in their options, it may be helpful to own more than one pair. However, if you have glasses with interchangeable lenses or transitional lenses, then this may not be necessary. Finding the right glasses for you and your cycling needs may feel difficult if you don’t know where to start. Checking out Safety Gear Pro and seeing what they have to offer can help you find the right glasses for your ride.