Optilabs Prescription Glasses

[iainb]

Hi folks

I need to get some shades with prescription lenses, I've had a look at the Optilabs website, seem pretty good. I was thinking of the photochromic lenses, anyone got any recommendations (or otherwise !) about them.

Thanks and regards.
Iain

[Big T]

I've got some Optilabs Scorch photochromatics and wear them all the time when riding my bike. They go dark pretty quickly in sunlight but you can also use them in poor light conditions or at night.

You do get a little distortion due to the curvature of the lens, which makes the road appear slightly closer than it is when riding, but you soon get used to this.

A good time to buy as they currently offering £20 off if you order before 31st December.

[CW]

Iain

I`ve had a pair of Optilabs prescription glasses for over 12 months now. I have varifocal photochromic lenses, their Ultra 2000 ones. They were sent within the week if I remember rightly. They were a bit strange at first with the wrap around lens, I thought I was floating..But I soon got use to them. They were made up to my prescription and are spot on.
They darken quickly . I have also used them for night riding. The only problem I have is with riding recumbents my head is laid back and the lower varifocal can get in the way. I may get single vision next time. The frame fits close to the face and very little light get around the sides
They have survived a couple of drops on the ground with only a slight scratch to one lens, I now use a neck strap.
Initailly they seemed a tad expensive but compared to my everyday glasses they were alot cheaper.
Overall I`m pleased with the pair I have and if my eyesight changes I will most likely go back to them

[DavidT]

I have the Optilabs photochromatic lenses and am very happy with them. I have been using them for about two years.

I think they use "Transitions" lenses - as in the Garmin-Transitions racing team, (and the incessant Tyler Farrar adverts during the TdF TV coverage ) so the Transitions website may give you some technical detail if you are into that sort of thing?

You do get a little distortion due to the curvature of the lens, which makes the road appear slightly closer than it is when riding, but you soon get used to this.

Absolutely true - unprepared for this at first I thought about rejecting them! Optilabs would have happily given me a refund, but suggested I persevere as I would get used to them - as is indeed was the case. It took about a dozen rides. It's strange, but these days I can swap between my cycling glasses and my "normal" glasses and not notice any difference! Weird how the brain works - mine at least ! I guess the extent of any distortion will depend upon the individual prescription.

I am happy to recommend Optilabs and the photochromatic lenses. For me they go plenty dark enough in sunlight and in tea rooms etc go to clear. I don't do a lot of nightime riding, but would happily use them at night. I'm not off road, so can't comment on how quickly they change if you are MTBing in and out of woods etc.

[lobsterboyuk]

I've been using my single vision Blaze style with transitions lens since the spring and am generally happy, however on fast descents (40mph+) the glasses are just a tad too small and I get watery eyes from the wind. Maybe a different style might handle this better?

Night riding is excellent - no strange artifacts unlike some non-prescription clear lens cycling glasses that had strange reflections from light sources. Transitions is quite rapid - seems to keep up with light conditions very well.

Customer service is brilliant - my arm broke and optilabs had it repaired and back to me within a few days.

[iainb]

Thanks for the replies folks

I've taken advantage of their offer to send 3 frames to try so we'll see how it goes.

Regards

Iain

[barbelfisher]

Hi, I have tried to use speciall glasses but cannot because of my astigmatism, but after a long search found at my local chemist a super pair of wrap around sunglasses designed for prescription lenses for £20.00 that look for all purposes like proper cycling sunglasses.