Glasses and Goggles

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Glasses and Goggles

Postby FHooper » Sat Mar 30, 2019 9:13 am

I've been testing new glasses for the past few years; as they have now reached the market I thought I'd write about some of their features, as they have improved my vision while skiing.

Anti-fog coatings I've always had difficulties with fogging; I've tried every anti-fog treatment I could find, and all failed. Goggles with a fan helped, but not enough. The anti-fog coating on my test glasses works! Every few days I need to turn on the fan for a few minutes, but my batteries now last weeks between charges.

Darkening lenses I've never liked these, too "hollywood". But the treatment on my test glasses increases contrast; I can see road signs much further away. Likewise, I can see the variations in the snow better -- even in flat light. I tried identical lenses for skiing, with and without the darkening. No contest, much better with the increased contrast! This particular treatment was developed for older folks (I'm 76) as it's supposed to help counteract declining vision. BTW, these adjust slowly (5+ minutes); I'd prefer faster, but they still help a lot. So, not "too hollywood".

Anti-glare coatings I'm not particularly sensitive to glare. While I have sunglasses I rarely wear them. But even for me, the test lenses are better at night.

Digitally-cut Eyeglasses are normally cut plus/minus 0.25 diopters, as few can see smaller differences. However, astigmatism can make you see them; I was unhappy with a 0.10 diopter error. If you have astigmatism you may be too. This technology allows plus/minus 0.05 and makes it possible to cut both sides of the lens, allowing much better progressive lenses.

The above features are part of the Essilor Ultimate lenses, which is what they named the lenses I've been testing. This happened because I wrote a review of some new lenses a few years ago; it was forwarded to the R&D people who provided me with a new set -- which I also reviewed. It continued.

Smith's Chromapop The Blue Sensor Mirror lens I used in the past have a reflective coating that removes the light needed to darken the lenses. My new Storm Yellow Chromapop lens allows it through, so I get better light (and contrast) adjustment as the light changes during the day. I don't use any darker goggle lenses at all; the darkening of my glasses is enough for me.
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Re: Glasses and Goggles

Postby h.harb » Sat Mar 30, 2019 10:00 am

Check the quality of the Google Outlet lenses and product.
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Re: Glasses and Goggles

Postby Ken » Sun Mar 31, 2019 4:16 pm

There is variation in which goggle lenses work for each person's eyes.

One very cloudy day at Whistler's Glacier Creek Lodge, up on the mountain, we went into the shop and asked if we could look out the window with several different goggles. The differences were interesting. For my eyes, Oakley Prizm didn't bring up the contrast well. Smith ChromaPop was good. My favorite is Dragon Lumalens. Others preferred Giro or Smith or Spy.

A friend skis on sunny days with photochromic eyeglass lenses and a light yellow goggle lens. I don't know the brand of the eyeglass lenses. He likes that combination best.

The second best thing I've found for fogged eyeglass lenses are helmets with the vent above the goggles. They draw the air through the goggles and keep them clear. Also, try to avoid sweating--a sweaty face fogs the goggles rapidly. The best thing to avoid fogged eyeglass lenses is cataract surgery and implanted lenses--no more eyeglasses.
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Re: Glasses and Goggles

Postby ErikCO » Sun Mar 31, 2019 8:27 pm

Another option to consider in regard to the fogging glasses, if you are a candidate of course, is contact lenses and carrying reading glasses. The last several years my mother was skiing that is the route she went. I'm not at the age where I need reading glasses yet, but I anticipate that is what I will do. I got so tired of fighting with glasses fogging and freezing as a teenage. Skiing was actually the reason I got contacts in the first place.
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Re: Glasses and Goggles

Postby blackthorn » Mon Apr 01, 2019 12:07 am

I am a bit shortsighted. Contact lenses become uncomfortable in the long term but, in discussion with my eye specialist, for skiing and a number of other outdoor pursuits I use a daily contact distance lens in my dominant eye only, and I can read/do close up work with the other eye. It seems to work for me. I then use Julbo photochromatic sunglasses or goggles as needed.
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Re: Glasses and Goggles

Postby tigernbr » Mon Apr 01, 2019 3:55 am

These guys sell inserts that fit in your goggles which can be made to your prescription.

https://www.sportrx.com/
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Re: Glasses and Goggles

Postby FHooper » Mon Apr 01, 2019 7:03 am

Re Goggle Outlet: They look good and well-priced, but none mention fitting over glasses.

Re: "look out the window with several different goggles": Prior to my current solution I preferred the Giro yellow lenses, even giving up the fan goggles to use them.

Re: "contacts": Unfortunately, my eyes no longer provide enough moisture -- partially because my against-the-rule astigmatism requires thicker contacts.

Re: "inserts": As I have to wear lenses while awake (the astigmatism, again) inserts are not a gain for me.

Re: "helmets with the vent above the goggles": I haven't tried that; I'll remember for my next helmet.

Re: "try to avoid sweating": I put antiperspirant on my forehead for years; when I stopped it was more than a decade before my forehead would sweat.

Re: "The best thing to avoid fogged eyeglass lenses is cataract surgery and implanted lenses--no more eyeglasses." If I develop cataracts that will be a benefit.

Thanks to all; I wish I'd read this discussion long ago.
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Re: Glasses and Goggles

Postby GregM » Wed May 15, 2019 12:42 pm

The options / suggestions on this are very subjective. For example anti-fog coatings did not work well for me. It is really hard to compare because people are different -- some sweat a little, some sweat a lot.
I have an expensive goggles with the fan which is supposed to draw the moisture out and for me, I do not see much benefits or improvement when using those.
I switched to helmet with visor. It is roomy enough to work with the glasses. There are multiple options on the market, the one I use is from http://osbeusa.com . I cannot say it works best for everyone, it seem to work better for me. One difference is that you can open the visor a little or open it for a few seconds to get rid of the fog but it is not 100% bullet proof.
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