glasses

[eastbayliz]

Anyone wear prescription glasses to play? I feel like some sunglasses would be great except for a clear lens. Don't know where to start. Who wears contacts? Also anyone ever get Lasik surgery? Or considered it so you don't have
to wear glasses when playing tennis?

 

[jrxl]

Anyone wear prescription glasses to play? I feel like some sunglasses would be great except for a clear lens. Don't know where to start. Who wears contacts? Also anyone ever get Lasik surgery? Or considered it so you don't have
to wear glasses when playing tennis?

I had Lasek (marginally different than Lasik) about 6 years ago. It's not for everybody, but it is working great for me. If you are interested in any kind of laser surgery, do lots of homework on who you use. Make sure they have done thousands of procedures. Make sure that they own their own equipment, and that they do not sub-lease it out to anybody. Some offices are known to book a bunch of appts for a day/week, then only bring in the equipment for that time.

Check to see if a nearby university (assuming you are close to Berkeley) has an ophthalmology dept. I was able to have the senior professor of my university do my procedure for not much more cash than a private shop. Most people would agree that eyesight is worth the investment...

The only tip I would give for anyone going through with laser surgery is to follow the recovery instructions to a T. You are going to get 4-5 different types of eye drops to use for a few weeks. I thought that since I was tearing up so much naturally, I could back off on some of the lubricating drops. A visit to the ER in the middle of the night convinced me otherwise. Other than that, no issues with recovery.

As far as contrasting playing tennis with glasses and without glasses... Well, it's been 6 years now, and it is hard to even remember what wearing glasses is like. For everything.

 

[eastbayliz]

Hi jrxl-thanks for sharing your experience. Sounds like it has paid off for you. I have been thinking about this for awhile in the very back of my head while starting to look at all the options that I have. I've been wearing my glasses for most of my life and am pretty used to it. But now getting back into playing tennis and competing seriously I have thought-wow what would it be like to not have to wear these! I am curious how long the recovery is? Sounds like you have to follow directions for sure. Was there any pain? And did you have to take time off work/sports etc at all? Thanks again it's great to hear from someone who has taken this path. My period of research is definitely is starting!

 

[retrograde]

Anyone wear prescription glasses to play?

Yes. Also for beach volleyball, which I think is a more demanding sport for wearing glasses vis-a-vis rapid head & body movement, need for peripheral vision, etc. Almost everyone in my town wears sunglasses when playing on the beach.

 

[MetsFanVI]

I wear glasses every day. I've thought about contacts but the idea of sticking things in my eyes just kind of creeps me out. But I was have a real problem with my glasses staying in place when I sweat. My frames are metal and somewhat heavy so they'd start to slide down my nose.

To fix this, I bought a cheap pair of prescription glasses online. They're plastic frames/lenses and work great.

 

[Woolybugger]

My kids wear prescription glasses with "Transitions" lens coating which automatically adjusts its shade to the light intensity. So in bright sunlight it is heavily tinted like sunglasses but indoors it is completely clear. They also use an elastic band which goes over the frame legs and then behind the head; holds glasses securely in place. Might try that solution before resorting to lasik.

 

[tennis ratchet]

i wear glasses, and prescription sunglasses when its sunny... the only problem i had was fogging, which was really giving me trouble for a bit there, but then i bought some anti-fog wipes. they work great. my take on glasses is that they are occasionally a pain in the ssa, but most of the time i dont even notice them.

 

[goober]

The only tip I would give for anyone going through with laser surgery is to follow the recovery instructions to a T. You are going to get 4-5 different types of eye drops to use for a few weeks. I thought that since I was tearing up so much naturally, I could back off on some of the lubricating drops. A visit to the ER in the middle of the night convinced me otherwise. Other than that, no issues with recovery.
.

That's interesting I had no eyedrops prescribed in my postop recovery for lasik. Actually it wasn't much of a recovery. Other than the first couple days where it was hard to drive at night, that was pretty much the only problem.

 

[Boricua]

Anyone wear prescription glasses to play? I feel like some sunglasses would be great except for a clear lens. Don't know where to start. Who wears contacts? Also anyone ever get Lasik surgery? Or considered it so you don't have
to wear glasses when playing tennis?

I wear contact swith no peoblem. I have a special hard lens in my right eye (cornea condition) and in my left eye a day by day lens (disposable) called True Eyes made by Acuvue. The True Eyes is great and so is my hard lens.

 

[jrxl]

Hi jrxl-thanks for sharing your experience. Sounds like it has paid off for you. I have been thinking about this for awhile in the very back of my head while starting to look at all the options that I have. I've been wearing my glasses for most of my life and am pretty used to it. But now getting back into playing tennis and competing seriously I have thought-wow what would it be like to not have to wear these! I am curious how long the recovery is? Sounds like you have to follow directions for sure. Was there any pain? And did you have to take time off work/sports etc at all? Thanks again it's great to hear from someone who has taken this path. My period of research is definitely is starting!

My recovery period was about 2 weeks long. No pain (except for the one time I didn't take my drops...) and even that wasn't too bad. More scary than anything. I got my procedure done on a Friday, and went back to work the next Thursday. Soccer was my main sport at the time, and I took a month off due to it's level of contact. Two months later I was up to 20/20.

 

[jrxl]

That's interesting I had no eyedrops prescribed in my postop recovery for lasik. Actually it wasn't much of a recovery. Other than the first couple days where it was hard to drive at night, that was pretty much the only problem.

That's a good point, recovery from lasEk is a little more involved. LasIk cuts a flap in your cornea, where LasEk scrapes the very top layer of cells off before the laser reshapes your eye. So that is probably why I had more of a recovery schedule.

 

[db10s]

Oakley Flak Jacket XLJ with clear prescription lenses. Like Tipsarevic. Or contacts...

 

[eastbayliz]

My kids wear prescription glasses with "Transitions" lens coating which automatically adjusts its shade to the light intensity. So in bright sunlight it is heavily tinted like sunglasses but indoors it is completely clear. They also use an elastic band which goes over the frame legs and then behind the head; holds glasses securely in place. Might try that solution before resorting to lasik.

My last pair of glasses had transitions lens which was pretty cool in theory I did not think they were very effective though as far how much they protected your eyes from sun. Ideally I need both clear lens and sunglasses. I have a astigmatism so I wear them all the time. I am interested in lasik-very much so. But it would be a drastic measure and a little scary to undertake.

 

[IdrinkYourMilkshake]

Oakley Flak Jacket XLJ with clear prescription lenses. Like Tipsarevic. Or contacts...

That's awesome, I'd love to see a picture. What do you do for sunglasses then, just a tinted version?

 

[maverick90024]

i have oakley prescription glasses with their HD lens that I wear all day. I play tennis with it on as well. Mostly indoors. When I play outdoors, I'll use either that or switch to contacts+sunglasses. I don't think the switching affects my game because I feel the oakley lens have no distortion.

 

[eastbayliz]

Oakley Flak Jacket XLJ with clear prescription lenses. Like Tipsarevic. Or contacts...

Do you buy the glasses from Oakley and give them your prescription? Or go to a eyeglass store and heave them order for you? Or maybe it is something they would carry?

 

[Slitch]

I play with my prescription glasses on. The problem is sweat. The frame is to close to my eyebrows so sometimes my vision is blurred. Sport glasses are suspended, they don't have that problem.

I recommend the adidas evil eye. Great sunglasses and you can get prescription glasses made. Those can be mounted inside the sunglasses:

 

[stapletonj]

I truly dont see how anyone can play with glasses.

I tried once and was whiffing the ball on serves it was so bad.

guess you get used ot it and compensate

of course, I dont even like sunglasses when I play.

 

[mctennis]

I use prescription racquetball glasses to play tennis. I started using them years ago and have great results using them. I hated the fact that if I used regular glasses I may either get hit in the face or get sweaty enough they slip off and break.

 

[RogueFLIP]

After seeing Tipsy wearing his oakelys a few years back I wound up contacting a local shop that deals with Oakley and bought a pair of Bottlecap glasses in prescription clear lens and another pair for sunglasses.

Pricey yes but a worthy investment as I use both for all my sporting activities.

 

[charliefedererer]

Consider the single vision polarized amber lens Oakley Flak Jacket XLJ for tennis.

The polarized amber lenses (yellow/brown) increase contrast for tennis, just like hunters, anglers and drivers have used them to increase contrast.

The polarized amber lenses are not too dark - you can play until pretty late in the evening with them, or on overcast days.

And they are not so dark that the ball looks like a black blob the way it does with really dark sunglass lenses.

The Flackjacket style wraps around your face so little light enters from the sides.

Also, wraparound sunglasses with no bottom rim and relatively small nose pieces do not leave blind spots.

They are a pleasure to drive with.

It will be rare you will need to play with clear glasses.

 

[RogueFLIP]

I play with my prescription glasses on. The problem is sweat. The frame is to close to my eyebrows so sometimes my vision is blurred. Sport glasses are suspended, they don't have that problem.

I recommend the adidas evil eye. Great sunglasses and you can get prescription glasses made. Those can be mounted inside the sunglasses:

I've tried the style like these, with the script lens mounted inside.

First off, I looked ridiculous....like I was trying to be some kind of superhero with a mask.

With the two lenses, seeing clear on the inside lens and not clear on the outside threw my timing off and drove me nuts. Esp when I was using these glasses for other sports and it was vital to see out of the corners of my eyes.

With the single lens on my Oakley Bottlecaps, I can see clearly throughout.

Took a little time for my eyes to get used to having a wider field of vision from my regular casual glasses, but wasn't an issue.

 

[charliefedererer]

^^^ I actually used the above system, albeit from Bolle, for a fairly long time.

It works fairly well and is a less expensive option, since if the lenses get scratched, you can just pop in replacement lenses.

Went to the Oakley's as there are less "blind spots" from the nosepiece (especially hitting a 1HBH from the usual closed stance).

 

[Rare]

I use these, with my prescription in the glass, amazingly the only optics that could do it in curved glass in my country was close to where i live!

I also added so they turn orange/brown when struck by UV. It's amazing, no blind spots with Rydon .

 

[IdrinkYourMilkshake]

^^ What are these glasses?

 

[waginen]

I use these, with my prescription in the glass, amazingly the only optics that could do it in curved glass in my country was close to where i live!

I also added so they turn orange/brown when struck by UV. It's amazing, no blind spots with Rydon .

Oh yes! I also use Rudy project Rydon with my prescription in the glass. Also the glass gets very light yellow/orange with the sun. I must agree....Rydon's are amazing and worth extra money to have them with your prescription. You can also have special layer against water, sweat or fingerprints, which is also worth it. I was between Rydons's and Flack Jacket and chose these because of less blind spots.

 

[beernutz]

I play with my prescription glasses on. The problem is sweat. The frame is to close to my eyebrows so sometimes my vision is blurred. Sport glasses are suspended, they don't have that problem.

I recommend the adidas evil eye. Great sunglasses and you can get prescription glasses made. Those can be mounted inside the sunglasses:

Ditto on the sweat. For about a year I tried playing with BOLLE Parole sunglasses with a prescription insert but it was too hard to keep them clear of sweat. I do sweat a lot though. I ended up getting Acuvue Oasis contacts which are awesome.

 

[corbind]

Tracking this

 

[aznhippos]

this is similar to what i wear on the courts - regular prescription glasses.

The only obstacle that arises is when I have to play in the rain...but tennis is not meant to be played in the rain so you're fine I guess.

 

[RogueFLIP]

I used to wear a set of regular glasses when playing sports.

Sweated so much the screws rusted and couldn't fold 'em.

I've had mine knocked off my face and would always worry about the lens popping out.

Plus sometimes the frame would impede my vision if I was tracking a high ball or something.

Now my Oakley Bottlecaps have a larger lens that covers a larger area; no problem with tracking.

Nothing metal, so no issues with rusting, just wipe clean.

Something pops out? Just pop em back in and you're good to go.

Sports glasses are meant for sports and abuse; and I have abused these. Worthy investment IMO.

Plus, the final accessory to my Special Forces or SWAT member Halloween costume :twisted:

 

[RSWatkins]

Consider single vision bronze lens Oakley Flak Jacket XLJ for tennis.

The bronze lenses (yellow/brown) increase contrast for tennis, just like hunters, anglers and drivers have used them to increase contrast.

The bronze lenses are not too dark - you can play until pretty late in the evening with them, or on overcast days.

And they are not so dark that the ball looks like a black blob the way it does with really dark sunglass lenses.

The Flackjacket style wraps around your face so little light enters from the sides.

Also, wraparound sunglasses with no bottom rim and relatively small nose pieces do not leave blind spots.

They are a pleasure to drive with.

It will be rare you will need to play with clear glasses.

I normally wear contacts when I play, but if I could get those with prescription lenses it might be worth the cost to try them out.

 

[guitarplayer]

Just ordered Bolle Vigilante. With a set of clear lenses and a set of competivision lenses. My rx lenses snap in place behind them. I'll know and updated in 10 days.

 

[K-Bladest]

Hey Everyone, I work for a company that specializes in prescription sports optics, so if you have any questions about frames or lenses or such, just hit me up. I think a lot of people don't really know what options are out there. No one should be using inserts, and whoever recommended the Rydon is spot on, it's a great frame. The trick is then finding prescription lenses that are as sweet as the frame.

 

[IdrinkYourMilkshake]

Hey Everyone, I work for a company that specializes in prescription sports optics, so if you have any questions about frames or lenses or such, just hit me up. I think a lot of people don't really know what options are out there. No one should be using inserts, and whoever recommended the Rydon is spot on, it's a great frame. The trick is then finding prescription lenses that are as sweet as the frame.

I'm in the market for sports glasses, but haven't gotten serious about it. The company you work for, do they specialize in lenses? I agree about needing high quality lenses. Is there a type of lens I should be looking for that goes by a certain industry spec or name? Also, will need prescription sunglasses. I get nervous about spending money on the yellowish tinted lens and find out it's annoying to look through when I'm use to the standard grey tint.

 

[robby c]

I'm buying new glasses next week.
Bifocals for work.
Distance only with clip-on polarized lens for tennis.
Same style and size for each.

 

[icorp]

Hey Everyone, I work for a company that specializes in prescription sports optics, so if you have any questions about frames or lenses or such, just hit me up. I think a lot of people don't really know what options are out there. No one should be using inserts, and whoever recommended the Rydon is spot on, it's a great frame. The trick is then finding prescription lenses that are as sweet as the frame.

I can't seem to find your email but please contact me at ago.albert@gmail.com. thanks!

 

[NE1for10is?]

Consider single vision bronze lens Oakley Flak Jacket XLJ for tennis.

The bronze lenses (yellow/brown) increase contrast for tennis, just like hunters, anglers and drivers have used them to increase contrast.

The bronze lenses are not too dark - you can play until pretty late in the evening with them, or on overcast days.

And they are not so dark that the ball looks like a black blob the way it does with really dark sunglass lenses.

CharlieFederer, how do you think the bronze compares to the Gold Iridium and Fire Iridium?

I also have the brown Flackjacket XLJ with clear presecription lenses and I'm looking to get tinted lenses with venting for the summer. I don't want something that distorts the colors or makes it too dark to see the ball clearly if it suddenly becomes cloudy.

 

[charliefedererer]

The iridium coating has a reputation for scratching easily - so I have avoided the iridium lenses. http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20110301184316AA8BtCg

Know what?

I posted I had the bronze polarized above, but your post made me go back and look at the Oakley web site, and then at my Oakley packaging that I kept.

Turns out I have the Oakley polarized amber.

(The polarized amber transmit 30% of light/block 70% of incoming light, while the bronze are considerably darker at only transmitting 15% of the light coming in (i.e. block 85% of the light coming in.)
- http://www.oakley.com/innovation/optical-superiority/lens-tints

[I've gone back and edited the original post so as not to confuse others.]

The amber is dark enough to protect the eyes, provide good contrast and let me play with them on cloudy days and fairly late into the evening.

Even with very dark sunglasses, you shouldn't toss the ball directly into the sun on a serve, so I think with all sunglasses you need to modify your serve type or where you stand on the baseline if you have a game where the sun would be directly in line with the tossed ball for one of your three serves (slice, flat or kick).


Besides the issue of scratching iridium coated lenses, the lenses you mention are pretty dark:
Gold iridium - only 12% light transmission
Fire iridium - only 15% light transmission
- http://www.oakley.com/innovation/optical-superiority/lens-tints

 

[NE1for10is?]

The iridium coating has a reputation for scratching easily - so I have avoided the iridium lenses. http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20110301184316AA8BtCg

Know what?

I posted I had the bronze polarized above, but your post made me go back and look at the Oakley web site, and then at my Oakley packaging that I kept.

Turns out I have the Oakley polarized amber.

(The polarized amber transmit 30% of light/block 70% of incoming light, while the bronze are considerably darker at only transmitting 15% of the light coming in (i.e. block 85% of the light coming in.)
- http://www.oakley.com/innovation/optical-superiority/lens-tints

[I've gone back and edited the original post so as not to confuse others.]

The amber is dark enough to protect the eyes, provide good contrast and let me play with them on cloudy days and fairly late into the evening.

Even with very dark sunglasses, you shouldn't toss the ball directly into the sun on a serve, so I think with all sunglasses you need to modify your serve type or where you stand on the baseline if you have a game where the sun would be directly in line with the tossed ball for one of your three serves (slice, flat or kick).


Besides the issue of scratching iridium coated lenses, the lenses you mention are pretty dark:
Gold iridium - only 12% light transmission
Fire iridium - only 15% light transmission
- http://www.oakley.com/innovation/optical-superiority/lens-tints

Thanks for the update The link you posted shows bronze, but doesn't show the amber. Where did you get the specks from? (pardon the pun)

A salesperson at an Oakley store also told me that Iridium scratches easily, so I'll avoid it as you say. I'm not normally a big fan of polarized lenses, but I'll have to find the amber ones in an Oakley store and try them out.

 

[beernutz]

Hey Everyone, I work for a company that specializes in prescription sports optics, so if you have any questions about frames or lenses or such, just hit me up. I think a lot of people don't really know what options are out there. No one should be using inserts, and whoever recommended the Rydon is spot on, it's a great frame. The trick is then finding prescription lenses that are as sweet as the frame.

What do you think about trivex lenses? I used them in my Bolle prescription inserts and also in some regular prescription glasses and they were more expensive, but I thought the optics were terrific.

 

[NE1for10is?]

The iridium coating has a reputation for scratching easily - so I have avoided the iridium lenses. http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20110301184316AA8BtCg

Know what?

I posted I had the bronze polarized above, but your post made me go back and look at the Oakley web site, and then at my Oakley packaging that I kept.

Turns out I have the Oakley polarized amber.

(The polarized amber transmit 30% of light/block 70% of incoming light, while the bronze are considerably darker at only transmitting 15% of the light coming in (i.e. block 85% of the light coming in.)
- http://www.oakley.com/innovation/optical-superiority/lens-tints

[I've gone back and edited the original post so as not to confuse others.]

The amber is dark enough to protect the eyes, provide good contrast and let me play with them on cloudy days and fairly late into the evening.

- http://www.oakley.com/innovation/optical-superiority/lens-tints

I just found out the polarized amber lens has been discontinued.

It seems the VR28, and G30 have similar light transmission (28% and 30%) and the bronze looks interesting, but has a lower rate of 22%. Anyone have any opinion on these lenses for tennis?

 

[charliefedererer]

I just found out the polarized amber lens has been discontinued.

It seems the VR28, and G30 have similar light transmission (28% and 30%) and the bronze looks interesting, but has a lower rate of 22%. Anyone have any opinion on these lenses for tennis?

I just saw this post today, and after replying to your Oakley survey.

Sorry to hear they discontinued the polarized amber, but the bronze seems to be reasonably close.

 

[NE1for10is?]

Thanks for the input, CharlieFederer. In the end I opted to go for the VR28, because they are supposed to allow you to see the ball well, aren't too dark and look good with the root beer flak Jackets. The bronze polarized was too dark for me. It's an obscene chunk of change they want for these with a prescription, so I wanted to be sure I was making a reasonably good decision. I'll post a pic and let you know how they work out once I get them in a few weeks and use them a bit.

 

[corbind]

It's an obscene chunk of change they want for these with a prescription, so I wanted to be sure I was making a reasonably good decision.

How much we're the lewd spectacles?

 

[NE1for10is?]

"Exactly how obscene an amount of money were you talking about? Just… profane, or really offensive?"

"Really offensive."

 

[RogueFLIP]

Yes, the Oakleys weren't cheap, but think as them as an investment. And on a per use basis.

So if you paid for example $1000 but used them 2 times a year, then yes $500 a use isn't cheap.

But if you used them 200 times a year, then $5 a use is a bargain.

 

[K-Bladest]

I'm in the market for sports glasses, but haven't gotten serious about it. The company you work for, do they specialize in lenses? I agree about needing high quality lenses. Is there a type of lens I should be looking for that goes by a certain industry spec or name? Also, will need prescription sunglasses. I get nervous about spending money on the yellowish tinted lens and find out it's annoying to look through when I'm use to the standard grey tint.

Milkshake, we absolutely specialize in lenses. We're an independent lenscrafter that specializes in custom, handmade prescription lenses. Lens materials are a huge bag of worms, and while there are different materials, each person's eyes will react and respond differently to each. Typically, a high-index polycarbonate will be as light and thin as possible, while also being impact-resistant.
I hear you on being hesitant to invest a lot of money in a new tint tone, and, if I might, I'd say yellow might not be the best tone. Check out our website, www.prescriptiontennisglasses.com, and write me with any more questions!

 

[Chas Tennis]

Get an Eye Exam with Your New Contacts

I just posted this experience with the contacts that I use for tennis in another TW thread - it's important information for me

Get an Eye Exam with Your New Contacts
I had a bad experience recently with my contacts.

2010 - I had my eyes examined 3 years ago. The prescription was for tri-focals and contacts. There is considerable astigmatism which contacts don't correct.

After I got my exam a set of contacts were ordered for me to try. They seemed OK and I expected that they would not be as good as my glasses because contacts cannot correct astigmatism. In bright sunlight they were fine, but for driving at night I avoided using them. I ordered 6 pair to be used mostly for tennis and other occasions.

I was happy with the tri-focals. But I was increasingly unhappy with the contacts especially for indoor matches.

2013 - I put off getting my next eye exam until this year. When I got it there were only slight changes, +1/4 diopter changes.

Again, I was given a set of contacts to try about +1/4 diopter stronger that my 2010 contacts. They were a noticeable improvement over my 2010 contacts. However, I did not feel completely satisfied, so before ordering some, I ask to stop in the optometrist's office and have my eyes checked wearing the new trial contacts.

The exam showed that the new contacts were not correct and could be considerably improved by increasing the diopters (1/2 diopter more). I was told that sometimes the lenses come in out of specs which does not seem to make sense. Also another unclear possibility about the lens being on the eye or in front of the eye affecting the prescription ..?....

But since my eyes had not changed much from 2010 to 2013, how good had the 2010 contacts that I had been wearing for the last three years been!

The newest contacts work much better than the 2010 contacts or the 2013 trial contacts.

I don't have a clear picture of what happened - but the procedure of having the patient "try" a pair of contacts and decide on their own whether they are OK is very flawed. I am going to be very careful to have my eyes tested with my next pair of contacts and not just try some and order a quantity of them.

BTW - between the age of 40 and 50 most human eyes lose the ability to accommodate (change focus by changing the shape of the eye lens - the lens stiffens).
Close up focus in most affected so that reading glasses are needed.

Govnor, if your "sight isn't great" and it is more than this common close up focus issue, get some contacts as they are fine for tennis.
Last edited by Chas Tennis : Yesterday at 12:10 PM.

 

[K-Bladest]

What do you think about trivex lenses? I used them in my Bolle prescription inserts and also in some regular prescription glasses and they were more expensive, but I thought the optics were terrific.

Hey BeerNutz,

Price and optics aside, I don't recommend Trivex at all because it's unsafe and shatters at impact. While I don't really think a tennis ball could cause it to shatter, a racquet could. Here in our shop we do demos of what happens when you tap trivex with a hammer compared to a high-index polycarbonate, and the difference is huge. One shatters, one doesn't. If you're going to invest in sports eyewear, it should be protective.

 

[K-Bladest]

I can't seem to find your email but please contact me at ago.albert@gmail.com. thanks!

Hi, icorp. You can find me at www.prescriptiontennisglasses.com! Hit me up, I'm glad to help.