Spectacles/Glasses for sailing - advice please

[jamesjermain]

I've worn glasses for ever and have very poor sight and, like you, can't wear contact lenses, partly because of the shape of my eye but mainly because 40 years ago I had a bad attack of corneal ulcers that damaged the surface. Two years ago I switched to varifocals and I think they are great.

A few tips:
Reaction lenses aren't polarised. This is just an onservation because there are plusses and minuses to polarised lenses.
The coating, which is almost obligatory on lenses these days, breaks down in the sailing environment of salt water and strong sun and only lasts about 18 months - less if you are not very careful with them. If you can get uncoated lenses so much the better.
A pair of reading glasses for the chart table are a boon.
A spare pair is essential. If you sail a lot (every weekend, for example) I'd have a pair you only use on board (see above about coating)
Retaining straps are essential.

 

[Retired in Crete]

I went for a cheap pair of single focus prescription Reactolites: ideal for driving southern Europe/Med.

Reactolites darken when exposed to the UV light in sunlight. As the majority of car windscreens have a built in UV filter they will not darken as much as when used in normal sunlight.

I found that the normal opticians sunglasses are not dark enough, particularly for sailing in Crete, and was told that there is a legal limit (in the UK) as to how dark they can be. Ditto with tinted car windscreens. Some UK opticians refuse to supply darker, another asked me to sign a disclaimer and my current (independant) optician just says "We will cook them a bit longer!"

John

 

[oldharry]

The coating, which is almost obligatory on lenses these days, breaks down in the sailing environment of salt water and strong sun and only lasts about 18 months - less if you are not very careful with them. If you can get uncoated lenses so much the better. .

Mine are coated, had them around 2 years,. No problem so far, and scratch proofing really does work when you put/ drop them lens down on concrete or gravel. Mine were blown off a table onto gravel/ grit, and trodden on twice: still came up unmarked!


Durability afloat maybe depends on type of coating?

 

[duncan99210]

Specsavers. Can't praise them enough. I went to them 4 years ago when it was becoming clear I needed varifocals. They tested my eyes, advised me on the options available and helped me choose a suitable frame. First one I chose (which was a relatively expensive one), they advised me that whilst it would be OK for varifocals, was marginal as the depth of the lense would not be great. Once the frames were chosen, I was then advised about the options on lenses; cheap (ie included in the price), not so cheap (add about £30 IIRC) and fairly expensive (add about £50).

I was then asked about coatings and so forth and had a scratch resistant coating. I was then told that the 2 for one offer applied to the frames I had chosen and did I want a second duplicate pair or would I like to chose another frame. I went for the same frame but with polaroid lenses.

The glasses were ready about a week later and I had a second appointment made to fit them. The optician explained that some people had trouble adjusting to varifocals and that I should not try to drive in them until I had worn them for an hour or two. Equally, if I couldn't get to grips with them, I could return them to the shop and they would fit single vision lenses at no extra cost. In the event, I've never had any trouble with them (apart from loosing them, getting them broken when the boom clobbered me etc etc).

I've now used the same pair (replacement for the ones the boom broke) for 3 1/2 years with no problems (I live aboard full time) other than the reading part is now too weak as my eyes have changed. I use a strap when on deck and doing stuff like changing sails. In the rain/spray I wear a baseball type cap and try to use the peak to keep the majority of the rain off the lenses; however, nothing really works so I resort to a damp rag to keep them clear enough to see through as required.

For really close work (soldering electronics etc) I always use a pair of supermarket reading glasses at £2 a pop.

Going back to the OP, it may be that you are one of those folks who cannot tolerate varifocals and should consider switching single vision lenses or bi-focals.

 

[alahol2]

Been wearing varifocals for years without problem. Only thing to add to above is that, if I know I am going to be sailing in rain, I give the lenses a coat of Rain-X. It doesn't completely solve the problem but it gives enough vision to be able to sail safely.

 

[Thaumaturge]

"irony icon"

And just look how many 'serious' responses you got!

Brilliant!

 

[ukmctc]

I never know if it's spectacles or glasses - only needed them for a year....

But.....

I am currently using varifocals. My eyes arent that bad according to the opticians but I find having to adjust my head in order to read (using the bottom of the lens so head up) or distance (using top of the lens so head down) a real pain in the neck

I also have to take them off when walking as looking down loses focus unless I walk with my head down.

So, your recommendations please for specs. used for sailing, driving or everyday, and any tips etc. would be most welcome to this relative newbie to the wonderful world of specs. :irony icon:

p.s. I can't wear contact lenses.

pound shop.....

 

[pwc51]

If I can add my two pennyworth having experienced a number of different options. I was very short sighted and wore glasses for over 50 years. The last few were with varifocals. To avoid the 'milk bottle' look I used high index plastic very successfully but the manufacturer of the lens was critical for me. I got on fine with the Zeiss lens but my optician, despite a number of tries, could not make a pair with Nikon lenses work for me.

Owing to ill health I acquired medication induced cataracts. After the operation I have now had a year with no glasses other than for reading. Brilliant - but in heavy rain in the Solent the other day I did note that my eyes were being stung, lacking the wind / rain protection offered by glasses, so was probably no better off than those with glasses!

 

[ffiill]

Straps and a spare pair for reading-usually in my case an old pair.

 

[LittleSister]

Half-moon glasses?

Has anybody experience of half-moon glasses (like a bi-focal with the top half of the lens missing)?

I'm long-sighted and astigmatic. I can see distance well enough to sail, but can't read or see detail close up without lenses now. I'm thinking that my distance vision without lenses would be better than through a rain/spray/salt splattered lens, but looking at instruments and detail close up even a wet/salty lens would be better than nought. (Would also be an idea for the motorbike in wet weather, so if my glasses steam up it's only the instruments I can't see, rather than the road ahead!)

 

[Liz_I]

I am surprised that no-one has mentioned the make of the lenses for varifocals!
There are quite a few and the differences are tremendous. Essilor, Zeiss & Hoya (sp) are top of the range. One should ask the optician which has the best range of view.
I have had the mid range (there are 3) Essilor lenses for many years and had no trouble adjusting to them.
The only problem is reading in bed!!! I can also understand the poster who had trouble with working up close. In those circumstances an ordinary pair of reading glasses would solve the problem.
Never ever go to sea without a 'string' on your specs! That would be a disaster waiting to happen!!

 

[nimbusgb]

I am surprised that no-one has mentioned the make of the lenses for varifocals!
There are quite a few and the differences are tremendous. Essilor, Zeiss & Hoya (sp) are top of the range. One should ask the optician which has the best range of view.
I have had the mid range (there are 3) Essilor lenses for many years and had no trouble adjusting to them.
The only problem is reading in bed!!! I can also understand the poster who had trouble with working up close. In those circumstances an ordinary pair of reading glasses would solve the problem.
Never ever go to sea without a 'string' on your specs! That would be a disaster waiting to happen!!

I had ( modern plastic ) Zeiss lenses made twice. Eventually the Optometrist made up another set, I found the field of view and transistion between near and far too narrow and simply could not 'see' with them, peripheral vision was carp.