Eyeglass question

[HLin NC]

About 4 years ago, I finally decided I needed glasses. Initially I went with off the shelf readers, thinking it was just "old age". Over several months, I noticed differences in one eye so I went to an optomitrist. He fitted me with RX glasses and everything seemed o.k.

However, I began to detect that again one eye was giving me trouble. The OD began to suspect a cataract and referred me to an opthamologist. He confirmed this and in fact found cataracts on both eyes. I had the one on the left eye removed back at the end of the '07 season. The right eye had not degraded enough to take it off.

Originally, I was able to call games without glasses but eventually found I needed them to read my game card. An o- lineman spazzed out and broke my first RX set the first game of the '06 season. I then had a set of Bolle sunglasses fitted with no-line, clear RX lenses but the metal frames hurt after a while and I just didn't like their look.

Last season I tried some clear, reader safety glasses-which looked like safety glasses. I also tried $1 readers in my pocket but they would fog over as soon as I put them on during a TO. I

I've seen some of the NFL guys wearing what appear to be clear lensed, sport type glasses but can't seem to find anything matching them online. The Rec-specs just look too goofy to me. Wal-mart Vision center carries them so they are easy to find but blehhhh.

Anybody got any ideas? I've looked at the Oakleys that Brian McCann of the Braves started wearing and the local eye doctor's office seems to think that they can have Oakley make me clear lenses in my RX. The Half Jacket frames are light and Oakley apparently has a good guarantee on the frames.

Those of you who need to wear glasses, are you just sticking an elastic strap on an old pair or are you getting something made to call games in?

[Huskerblue]

Have you thought about contact lenses? Lasik surgery?

[Welpe]

You can get prescription tinted Oakley lenses, I don't see why you couldn't get clear ones. I think that would be the best way for you to go if you can't wear contacts.

Oakleys are tough and their lenses offer ballistic protection, which is why so many of our troops are wearing them in combat zones (other than the desert sun of course).

Edit: I just double checked the Oakley site and they do indeed make clear prescription lenses. If I were you, I'd pick out a frame I like and order up a prescription set of clear lenses. Can you wear sunglasses during subvarsity games? If so, you can get a tinted set of lenses for the same frame.

Originally Posted by Huskerblue

Have you thought about contact lenses? Lasik surgery?

Amazingly, some people can't wear contacts when they have cataracts. Something about the eyeball's shape that prevents that.

Not covered by a large percentage of insurance plans anymore, and usually not effective on eyes that have cataracts.

[HLin NC]

I watched my wife and my best friend deal with contacts. I know they're simpler to deal with now from 20-30 years ago but sticking stuff in my eye has never had any appeal for me.

I will be having eye surgery again as soon as the cataract on my right eye reaches a level the doctor can perform on. Presently its not far enough along for my insurance to cover it.

Tinted glasses at any level in my state are not approved so if I go with the Oakleys, they'll be pretty much for calling games, unless I can interchange the lenses.

[goodnews]

I tried the rec spec from Wiley love them on my motorcyle but they stayed fogged up on the field. Contacts would be my choice but I need Bi-focals.
Steve

[With_Two_Flakes]

I've worn eye glasses since I was 5 yrs old. I've been officiating for 20+ years now. For the last 7 or 8 years, I've needed reading glasses too, so now I have varifocal lenses in my glasses.
By varifocal, I mean a graduated lens that is for long distance vision at the top, medium distance (eg computer screen) in the middle and reading at the bottom). I think you have a different name for varifocals in the US?

In the past, I used to wear my old pair and use one of those Croakies straps. But now I just wear my regular pair - they stay on my head so well, I don't even bother with the Croakies strap anymore.

It has to be raining real bad for me to have any problems with them, don't recall ever having condensation issues.

[SC Ump]

Originally Posted by goodnews

... they stayed fogged up on the field.

At 18, I require a weak prescription for glasses. While playing sports, I would put rubbing alcohol on the glasses and they never fogged up. I would bet a RainX type product would also prevent the fog up.

Around 35 my eyes actually got better and I stopped needing glasses. Now approaching 50, I've caught myselft a couple of times doing the long-arm thing.

[parepat]

Originally Posted by HLin NC

I watched my wife and my best friend deal with contacts. I know they're simpler to deal with now from 20-30 years ago but sticking stuff in my eye has never had any appeal for me.

I will be having eye surgery again as soon as the cataract on my right eye reaches a level the doctor can perform on. Presently its not far enough along for my insurance to cover it.

Tinted glasses at any level in my state are not approved so if I go with the Oakleys, they'll be pretty much for calling games, unless I can interchange the lenses.

I would strongly suggest that you give contacts a try. Within a few days you will never want to where glasses again.

[IceGator8]

I wear contacts with dark lensed Oakley Half Jackets when I officiate. Best glases, prescription or otherwise, that I've ever had. Every so often I will officiate with my normal glasses to give my eyes a break but it's rare.

Check into industrial type safety glasses. Many of them look like wraparound sunglasses and are available in RX.

[GBFBUmp]

Originally Posted by parepat

I would strongly suggest that you give contacts a try. Within a few days you will never want to where glasses again.

I would agree. I have had contacts for nearly 30 years. A couple years ago I injured my left eye and for 2 seasons couldn't wear contacts. Glasses drove me nuts.. Always fogging up in the cool WI fall evenings. I got back into contacts and just love them, you rarely can tell you are wearing them, and they move with you. Even with straps, glasses get jarred around enough to cause a possible miss on the field.

[vytis74]

I am just getting started in officiating and have the same questions/concerns as I wear glasses. I think for now I will use my everyday glasses. I have purchased a pair of very cheap sunglasses from Zenni Optical (Zenni Optical - Complete prescription eyeglasses from $8.00), let me reiterate that they are very cheap but fit and work just fine (the prescription is spot on). They also have goggles that seem to look OK and are reasonable priced at $40. http://www.zennioptical.com/cart/home.php?cat=27