6 Of The Best Reasons That New Bike Riders Over 60 Should Wear Eye Protection

Is it really important for a new rider over 60 to wear eye protection while bike riding?

Yes! Just YES!

For me it is just that simple.

Rain or shine I would encourage you to wear protective eyeglasses when you ride your bicycle. 

I normally wear prescription eyeglasses at all times just to see. 

I had no idea that they could also be a great option to protect my eyes while riding my bicycle.

You only have 2 eyes, no replacements, so you really need to protect them. 

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Why Should You Wear Glasses While Riding A Bicycle?

I just started my bicycle journey a month ago, but I have been riding a motorcycle for over 12 years. I truly didn’t realize that glasses would be as important for my bicycle as they are for my motorcycle. 

As a beginner, you certainly don’t ride as fast on a bicycle as you would a motorcycle. So, do you need to wear glasses when you ride a bike?

Eye protection while riding can prevent temporary and sometimes permanent damage to your eyes.

As we age our eyesight starts to go. For some of us this is quicker than others.

We really need to protect our eyes so that they age gracefully!

Can you really damage your eyes when you are riding your bicycle?

Yes, the sun, debris, and elements such as wind and rain can still damage your eyes while riding your bicycle.

Regardless of how fast or slow you go.

6 Reasons To Wear Eye Protection When You Ride

1. Bugs, And Bees, And Dirt! Oh My!

Yes, this is really a thing. 

I can’t tell you how many times I have had a dead squashed bug on my glasses. I am always grateful that they stopped at my glasses and didn’t get into my eyes. 

Can you imagine? 

Dirt and debris are another beast when it comes to your eyes.

This can come from cars or just from “stuff” flying around on a windy day. 

Just think about being in crazy traffic and getting something stuck in your eye!

Where would you stop, could you see well enough to get out of the traffic safely? 

If you wear eye protection this could definitely cut down on the possibility of this becoming an issue.  

2. Eye Damage From The Sun

The UV rays of the sun can cause several issues with the eyes. 

This can happen in a very short amount of time. 

Did you know that you can get a sunburn on your eyes just like you can on your skin?

This is called Photokeratitis. It is temporary but can be painful. 

It effects your conjunctiva (tissue covering the inside of your eyelid and the whites of your eyes) and the cornea (located at the front of your pupil). 

It can occur at any time, in the heat of summer or on a snowy, icy winter day. 

If you look directly into the sun or if the sun is bouncing off of the snow, ice, cement or street signs it can cause Photokeratitis. 

Over the long term, Photokeratitis can increase the risk of cataracts and macular degeneration. 

As we age, we really don’t need to cause new problems. 

So as you can see, it is essential to wear your eye protection as you ride.

A helmet with a brim would also be helpful with keeping the sun out of your eyes.  

3. Protection From Rain And Wind

Rain and wind can also be a beast on your eyes while riding.  

When it is raining, or windy debris tends to be a step it up a bit.

Wearing eye protection prevents rain as well as debris from getting into your eyes. The rain and debris can actually be very irritating. 

The wind can also dry your eyes out. 

4. Avoid Dry Eyes

When your eyes are unprotected, wind and sun can cause dry eyes. This can be uncomfortable and cause burning and stinging of the eyes.

Dry eyes occur when your tears are not able to give adequate lubrication to your eyes. 

Wind and dry air can actually increase tear evaporation causing dry eyes.

Glasses can help prevent or limit the amount of tear evaporation while riding your bicycle.

Women over 50 as well as hormone changes can also increase the chances for dry eyes. These are things that we cannot change.

However, wearing eye protection can prevent dry eyes while riding your bike.

So, if you can at least limit the causes for dry eyes it will help in the long run.

5. Being Able To See Everything Around You

If it’s a real sunny day, the glare from the sun may prevent you from seeing something important such as a pothole, a sign or a car. This can be bad!

For me wearing glasses is not so much an option but a necessity. I cannot see very well without my glasses.

Since my prescription glasses are so expensive, I chose to wear last year’s glasses while I am riding my bicycle.

This way if they fly off my head and get broke or if something hits my glasses, I am not out a lot of money.

But, more importantly if they get broke, I still have my good ones to wear. 

So, this may be something that you consider if you are like me.

6. Looking Good In Those Shades

A sharp pair of sunglasses can definitely complete your perfect cyclist look!

If you look good, you feel good! So maybe it can give you that little extra push to either get out there or to push harder on your ride!

For me this is really not an issue.

I usually ride very early in the morning and quite frankly all they do for me fashion wise is hide the fact that I am not wearing any makeup!

So, whatever your reason is for wearing eye protection when you ride it’s a good reason. Just so you wear them.  

Which Is Better Glasses Or Contacts

For me it is glasses all the way!

Maybe it is because I am not a fan of contacts.  I can’t get them in my eyes, and they usually dry my eyes out.

I also worry that something like a bug or debris will get in my eye with the contact.  I can’t imagine how much that would hurt!

Not to mention a little dangerous with traffic when you cannot see out of one eye. 

If you are a big fan of contacts just make sure to wear some wrap sunglasses with them.

This will still protect your eyes. 

Picking Out Sunglasses

You do not need to rob a bank or take out a loan for good eye protection.  Especially since we are just beginning this journey.

Just make sure that your glasses are polarized and protect you from UVA and UVB.

It is really hard to determine what will work best for you this early into your journey. 

You don’t want to go all in for a pair of glasses that just really don’t work for you. 

Try doing a little trial and error on some cheaper options while still protecting the eyes while you ride.