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!

Polaroid Sunglasses: The Original Polarized Since 1937

Pioneers Of Polarized Sunglasses

The original Lens Man Peter Koh was the first to introduce polarized lenses to Singapore in the early 1980s and today, we showcase the latest Polaroid Sunglasses - the inventor of these anti-glare, true color clarity sun lenses.

Designed in Italy and CE-certified, Polaroid's the best in class and best value for great-looking vivid styles paired with the best vision protection on earth. For kids to adults, there’s a sunnie for every lifestyle need and fashion fun, from classic to trendiest, with specialty shades for sports, water sports and wear-overs.

Polaroid Sunglasses feature high quality hypoallergenic plastic and metals for strong durability and lightweight comfort. Non-slip temples and integrated nosepads ensure comfy fitting. The Kids collection is the perfect playmate with rubber inserts for safer wear, and bright cheery colors. Check out the special Floating active styles that’ll keep your Polaroids from getting lost in the sea!

Most of our frames can be customized with prescription ultra-polarized lenses, starting at $298 for single vision lenses and $448 for progressives.

Check out our entire collection here — more styles added always!

We Love Roav, The World's Thinnest Sunglasses

It’s like your sunglasses went on a diet, but are mightier than ever in blocking sun glare, UV protection, and durability! Direct from Los Angeles - the city where shades are the most important fashion statement - Roav was designed to be better than bulky and breakable frames. This isn’t conventional eyewear that’s cheaply constructed and all fashion, no function.

Roav is designed in the spirit of adventure with an all-stainless steel body and patented micro hinges press-formed into the frame with fewer parts to break, unlike traditional eyewear with riveted or soldered hinges. Ultra-thin and laser cut, each Roav weighs less than 20 grams, so you’ll no longer experience sore noses and constant slippage. (You’ll barely know they’re there, but all the heads you turn will!) Roav folds up to a quarter of its size to fit into the skinniest jeans and smallest purses, so you can easily stow them using our super safe casing. No more losing your favorite sunnies.

Your Roavs could be the smallest item in your pocket!

And what’s a great sunglass without the best lenses? Every Roav is fitted with polarized and full UV-protected lenses for the ultimate in vision comfort.

Here’s a selection of our current collection:

Balto (top: black/G-15 lenses; bottom: black/grapefruit lenses): Inspired by the 1960s counter-culture, timeless and round as inspired by Jimi Hendrix.

Lennox (black/G-15 lenses): The modernized Wayfarer in metallic form, innovated with Roav’s unique laser cut detail.

Jett (top: black/navy lenses; bottom: black/sky lenses): A contemporary take on the iconic Clubmaster.

Zuma (black/moonrise lenses): Over-sized cat-eye with modern cuts and an almost rimless bottom.

Freddy (top: black/sunrise lenses; bottom: black/moonrise lenses): A rounded and playful rendition of the Wayfarer.

Maverick (black/G-15 lenses): An ultra-sporty shape defined by an angled base that creates a sense of motion.

Echo (black/G-15 lenses)

School's Out! Play, But Beware Of UV Rays

It's one of your kids' most favourite times of the year - school holidays! That means more outdoor activities and maybe even a holiday, and while the extended time away from books and homework is a great respite for their vision, it's important to make sure that their precious eyes are well taken care of when exposed to dangerous UV rays prevalent in the atmosphere.

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Courtesy of the American Optometric Association - thanks for the cool and very useful infographic!

UV rays are harmful components of sunlight - just as they can cause skin cancer, they also damage the retina, cornea and other parts of the eyes. Over time, this can lead to cataracts or macular degeneration, an irreversible ailment that leads to eventual blindness. New research has shown that the lenses of children's eyes allow as much as 70% more UV rays to enter as compared to an adult, which makes it even more necessary to ensure they have the proper protection.

Our optometrists share tips on how to take better care of your kids' eyes while they're having fun in the sun (adults should take note of these tips and use them, too!).

Allain: "The easiest way is to wear proper sunglasses with 100% UV protection - caps and umbrellas will help, but sunglasses are still the most effective way to keep harmful rays out of your kids' eyes." Just because it's a cloudy day doesn't mean UV rays aren't present.

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Kids love our Smarty sunglasses, which come in fun colours, look cool and are comfortable and lightweight. Parents will appreciate the polarised lenses, which provide the best and most complete UV protection for their children's eyes, plus helps cut out glare from the piercing sun.

Shawn: "Go outdoors as research shows that natural light can reduce the progression of myopia (shortsightedness). If your kids wear glasses, consider getting them Transitions lenses which will automatically darken according to the intensity of UV rays in the atmosphere."

Shahirah: "If your child is into sports, get him or her to wear protective goggles to prevent any risk of eye injury. Goggles are also recommended for the pool to prevent chlorine from stinging the eyes, and polarised lenses will cut out significant glare. Also, make sure they avoid touching the eyes after getting their hands dirty while playing with sand or in a field, for example, which can cause infections. Help them make it a habit to wash their hands with soap before touching their eyes, which can be very sensitive."

Hui Qi: "Being outdoors more often playing and perspiring can fog up and smudge lenses and get glasses dirty easily. Remind your kids to wash their spectacles with soap and water every night and wipe it clean with a lens cloth to better maintain them and ensure clear vision when wearing them."

Farah: "For the occasions that your children will spend time indoors reading, watching TV or playing computer games, help them remember to take vision breaks in between to relax the eye from strain."

Hope everyone enjoys the rest of their school holidays, and if new glasses are needed, our in-house Moonlight frames are a great affordable option for school kids, who will appreciate how lightweight and flexible they are! They're 30% off during the Great Singapore Sale, with an additional $50 off lenses.