Cycle For Change x The Lens Men

#TakeCharge: Energise Your Eyes On The Bike!

We’re proud to be the eye care partner for Senoko Energy’s #CycleForChange, an initiative to clock 1 million total kilometres cycled, which will eliminate 187,000kg of carbon emissions, equivalent to taking about 495 cars off Singapore’s roads. [Click to sign up with free registration, the event pedals through 22 April!]

As you’re observing all traffic laws and practising road safety, keep eye care in sight to enjoy healthy vision on the bike — they will keep you safer while cycling, and will better preserve your sight off the bike and for the road of life ahead. Here are our cycling eye care tips — read on to learn how they can help you win a pair of Sunday Shades polarised sunglasses!

Get Shady: Always Wear Sunglasses With UV-Protection!

Without the physical barrier of sunglasses, foreign objects like dust, grit, pollen, even insects and more can fly straight into your eyes and cause irritation — bits like sand can cause abrasion or worse, a tiny particle of metal can even tear your eye surface.

Also, you may not experience it now, but prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light can cause damaging effects later in life. The two most common conditions are more severe and earlier onset of cataracts and age-related macular degeneration, the leading cause of vision loss among older adults.

Go Polarised

Polarised lenses block all glare from entering your eyes, especially useful when harsh sunlight is reflecting off long stretches of roads and paths. The most immediate risk of bright sun glare comes from sudden squinting and distractions. Click to see how you can win a pair of Sunday Shades polarised sunglasses with stable, no-bounce fit that’s perfect for outdoor activities!

Pop Eye Drops During Rides

Wind blowing and flowing into your eyes when cycling evaporates their tear film, which causes discomfort and when prolonged, damage to eye surfaces. At best, “dry eye” syndrome is an annoyance and at worst, it can lead to scarring, infection and temporary vision loss. Dry eye from cycling can also contribute to the strain and fatigue you may feel from working at digital screens all day. Artificial tears eye drops such as Systane Ultra and Evolve are without preservatives, and naturally re-wet your eyes just like normal tears. Dab them on during cycling breaks or post-ride.

Get Fit For Your Best Vision Correction For Getting Fit On The Bike With Regular Eye Checks

Clarity is paramount when cycling, especially if you’re a night rider or start your rides pre-dawn — and can make all the difference in spotting road hazards and other moving vehicles earlier for your quickest reaction. This is why you should always ensure your prescription is at its most updated and accurate. Properly eye-equipped, you also won’t strain your eyes as much trying to read road signs and watching out for potholes and scampering critters! An optometrist or optician will fit you with the best vision correction for your cycling needs:

• Choose a frame that fits stably and comfortably on your face and under your helmet, such as those with non-slip ear tip and nosepads, and are lightweight. You can consider curved eyewear for a more aerodynamic and snug fitting

• Most sunglass frames and sporty optical frames can be fitted with prescription sun and polarised lenses if you don't like using contact lenses

• Presbyopes (those needing help with reading vision) can consider progressive lenses to easily read bike computers and fitness watches on the go

• Consider photochromatic lenses that darken and lighten with the intensity of UV light in the atmosphere, which will also offer some relief from the sun’s glare

• Consider daily contact lenses to wear and discard on cycling days, so you don’t have to worry about proper cleaning routines and residue building up over the lens’s life span. Silicone hydrogel contact lenses provide the highest hydration levels for your eyes

BONUS! Cycling is a fun and great way to armour kids against myopia!

The World Health Organisation recommends two hours of outdoor activity daily to stem myopia progression by up to 20% — just make sure they’re also practising sound eye care habits on the bike!

Click To See How You Can Enter Our Sunday Shades Giveaway #CycleForChange!