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If you wear Glasses or Contact Lenses & you want to go into the Great Outdoors in the cold, how cold can you go before your lenses freeze to your eyeballs or your metal glasses frostbite to the side of your face ???
Is there a special pair of glasses you can buy or special contacts for cold that won't freeze ??
Just thinking of Winter Mountaineering & Skiing where the windchill can get down to -15 to 20 or more in the UK.
Or even a ascent of Everest what do Glasses wearers wear ?
Is there a special pair of glasses you can buy or special contacts for cold that won't freeze ??
Just thinking of Winter Mountaineering & Skiing where the windchill can get down to -15 to 20 or more in the UK.
Or even a ascent of Everest what do Glasses wearers wear ?
In reply to supertrickywoocheese:
Just started with contacts - hope the bl**dy things don't freeze on me !
I guess wearing Goggles over either would be an option.
Just started with contacts - hope the bl**dy things don't freeze on me !
I guess wearing Goggles over either would be an option.
In reply to supertrickywoocheese:
I always wear my contacts, never had any problems but this is only skiing in the alps, climbing in Norway.
I always wear my contacts, never had any problems but this is only skiing in the alps, climbing in Norway.
In reply to supertrickywoocheese:
i have been out at around -30 in the alps and in sunny scottieland and never had a problem.
They do tend to get alittle gritty at altitute so packing a small case of eye drops is a good idea. i dont like wearing my glasses in all honesty, they get iced up and are a general pain.
i have been out at around -30 in the alps and in sunny scottieland and never had a problem.
They do tend to get alittle gritty at altitute so packing a small case of eye drops is a good idea. i dont like wearing my glasses in all honesty, they get iced up and are a general pain.
In reply to SJD: Totally agree with that - also been to -20 with no problems and that was with dailies which have high water content. Wouldn't be without them now...
In reply to mike kann:
Did your dailies ever freeze up when they were in their little pouches? Off to greenland ski touring next year and we're camping and i was wondering whether they might freeze.
Did your dailies ever freeze up when they were in their little pouches? Off to greenland ski touring next year and we're camping and i was wondering whether they might freeze.
In reply to supertrickywoocheese: If contact lenses would freeze, why wouldn't eyeballs? A bit of a silly thing to worry about. As far as glasses go, just avoid licking anything with metal frames and you should be OK.
Wind chill is a "perceived" cold your body feels, not an actual temperature anyway.
As far as dailies freezing in their pouches, I think saline solution would have to get pretty cold to freeze, but putting them in a pocket close to body warmth would be a good idea before putting them in.
Wind chill is a "perceived" cold your body feels, not an actual temperature anyway.
As far as dailies freezing in their pouches, I think saline solution would have to get pretty cold to freeze, but putting them in a pocket close to body warmth would be a good idea before putting them in.
In reply to galpinos: No but then I didn't store them cold though... I presume becuase they are in a saline solution the freezing point would be lower though... The only thing I'd say is that they are not as comfortable for long periods of time, which when you have no option is not great. Also the lower the water content the better really I would imagine - I have monthlies now and they are very comfy and I can wear them for very long periods... I recently did more or less two days straight - and although it did make my eyeball feel very odd when I took them out it was ok...
In reply to mike kann:
Would your eyeball provide enough warmth to stop them from freezing ??
Any liquid will freeze if it gets cold enough, well almost any.
Would your eyeball provide enough warmth to stop them from freezing ??
Any liquid will freeze if it gets cold enough, well almost any.
In reply to supertrickywoocheese:
contact lenses work fine.
it's academic stuff, but they're stuck to your eye. so to freeze, your eyeball would have to be close to zero, close to freezing, for your contact lenses to start freezing to it. and that ain't likely, is it?
also windchill's irrelevant. don't have the table in front of me, but a windchill of, say, minus two will easily occur when the actual temperature is above zero - and at this temperature there'll be no freezing. windchill is about the fact that wind makes the air feel colder than it is.
contact lenses work fine.
it's academic stuff, but they're stuck to your eye. so to freeze, your eyeball would have to be close to zero, close to freezing, for your contact lenses to start freezing to it. and that ain't likely, is it?
also windchill's irrelevant. don't have the table in front of me, but a windchill of, say, minus two will easily occur when the actual temperature is above zero - and at this temperature there'll be no freezing. windchill is about the fact that wind makes the air feel colder than it is.
In reply to Lightweight:
I had some worries about that in the early 80's and got some feedback from Charles Clarke and Al Rouse (who wore them) which allayed my fears
I had some worries about that in the early 80's and got some feedback from Charles Clarke and Al Rouse (who wore them) which allayed my fears
In reply to supertrickywoocheese:
Have been in -25degC in St Petersburg with contact lenses, windy day as well. Absolutely no problem.
Soft daily disposables.
Have been in -25degC in St Petersburg with contact lenses, windy day as well. Absolutely no problem.
Soft daily disposables.
In reply to SJD:
The coldest recorded uk temp is supposed to be -27.2 C. On the summit of Ben Nevis I think the lowest recorded temp is about -22 C (about the same as the lowest recorded temp in my garden).
The only problem I've had with glasses is misting when going inside or through sweating. To avoid this I carry a little bottle of anti-fog solution and a cloth. Sticking lenses onto your eyeballs is not a good idea in any weather. I had a very unpleasant experience on an active volcano wearing contacts.
> i have been out at around -30 in the alps and in sunny scottieland and never had a problem.
The coldest recorded uk temp is supposed to be -27.2 C. On the summit of Ben Nevis I think the lowest recorded temp is about -22 C (about the same as the lowest recorded temp in my garden).
The only problem I've had with glasses is misting when going inside or through sweating. To avoid this I carry a little bottle of anti-fog solution and a cloth. Sticking lenses onto your eyeballs is not a good idea in any weather. I had a very unpleasant experience on an active volcano wearing contacts.
In reply to supertrickywoocheese:
I've camped in about -25 deg C with lenses in their case inside my sleeping bag & they didn't freeze. One did that I had lost in the tent, which was a bonus as it defrosted fine & hadn't dried out!
In the eye, as many folk have said, your eye would have to freeze as well, so the lens would be the least of your worries then.
I've camped in about -25 deg C with lenses in their case inside my sleeping bag & they didn't freeze. One did that I had lost in the tent, which was a bonus as it defrosted fine & hadn't dried out!
In the eye, as many folk have said, your eye would have to freeze as well, so the lens would be the least of your worries then.
a guide told me that they liked daily disposables, partly because contacts can make it marginally easier to look into spindrift.
i'd agree with this. in this respect, contacts can actually be advantageous over 20:20
In reply to supertrickywoocheese: I wondered about what to do myself- so had my eyes laser corected. Honestly, its the way forward (Laggards and Luddites, all of you!)
Tree
Tree
In reply to mike kann:
I can higly recommend these high breathability lenses that you can leave in for a month - brilliant when camping, bivying, out on the piss etc
Cheers,
Nick
> The only thing I'd say is that they are not as comfortable for long periods of time, which when you have no option is not great.
I can higly recommend these high breathability lenses that you can leave in for a month - brilliant when camping, bivying, out on the piss etc
Cheers,
Nick
In reply to supertrickywoocheese:
I've worn contacts down to about -15 with no problem - one tip, though, would be that if you do take them out, shove the contact lens case in your sleeping bag with you, as even in saline solution or whatever, your lenses will freeze if the pot's just sitting in the tent. Hasn't happened to me but has happened to friends...
I've worn contacts down to about -15 with no problem - one tip, though, would be that if you do take them out, shove the contact lens case in your sleeping bag with you, as even in saline solution or whatever, your lenses will freeze if the pot's just sitting in the tent. Hasn't happened to me but has happened to friends...
In reply to Lightweight:
similarly random fact - if you wear contacts, you don't get the 'weeping whilst cutting onions' thing.
they have their benefits!
>
> a guide told me that they liked daily disposables, partly because contacts can make it marginally easier to look into spindrift.
> i'd agree with this. in this respect, contacts can actually be advantageous over 20:20
> a guide told me that they liked daily disposables, partly because contacts can make it marginally easier to look into spindrift.
> i'd agree with this. in this respect, contacts can actually be advantageous over 20:20
similarly random fact - if you wear contacts, you don't get the 'weeping whilst cutting onions' thing.
they have their benefits!
In reply to CJD:
Not a benefit I've ever noticed
> (In reply to Lightweight)
> similarly random fact - if you wear contacts, you don't get the 'weeping whilst cutting onions' thing.
Not a benefit I've ever noticed
In reply to CJD:
I wear contacts, and my eyes do water when chopping onions occasionally...
> (In reply to Lightweight)
> [...]
>
> similarly random fact - if you wear contacts, you don't get the 'weeping whilst cutting onions' thing.
>
> they have their benefits!
> [...]
>
> similarly random fact - if you wear contacts, you don't get the 'weeping whilst cutting onions' thing.
>
> they have their benefits!
I wear contacts, and my eyes do water when chopping onions occasionally...
In reply to Nao:
oh, must just be me then.
and back to the OP... not sure how true this is as I've not explored the wonders of prescription glacier glasses etc, but I'd imagine that by using contacts, you then have a greater range of goggles/glacier glasses available to you, rather than either having to have prescription ones or ones that fit over your normal glasses.
oh, must just be me then.
and back to the OP... not sure how true this is as I've not explored the wonders of prescription glacier glasses etc, but I'd imagine that by using contacts, you then have a greater range of goggles/glacier glasses available to you, rather than either having to have prescription ones or ones that fit over your normal glasses.
In reply to Nao:
That is because it's the juice getting up yer nose that causes the weeping, CJD is talking pantalones
To OP I've used monthly contact at altitude down to -20C, no problems, though the wind (at any level) causes mine to dry up a bit, so I have to keep on top of that with drops,
> (In reply to CJD)
> [...]
>
> I wear contacts, and my eyes do water when chopping onions occasionally...
> [...]
>
> I wear contacts, and my eyes do water when chopping onions occasionally...
That is because it's the juice getting up yer nose that causes the weeping, CJD is talking pantalones
To OP I've used monthly contact at altitude down to -20C, no problems, though the wind (at any level) causes mine to dry up a bit, so I have to keep on top of that with drops,
In reply to CJD:
Yeah, you're just strange.
I have not been anywhere really really cold (like Everest or whatnot) but when boarding I wear contacts and I don't have a problem with them. Whereas when I used to wear specs (in my traumatised youth), they always used to steam up. I hate glasses. Even when cycling they annoy me (if I stop, they steam up).
Yeah, you're just strange.
I have not been anywhere really really cold (like Everest or whatnot) but when boarding I wear contacts and I don't have a problem with them. Whereas when I used to wear specs (in my traumatised youth), they always used to steam up. I hate glasses. Even when cycling they annoy me (if I stop, they steam up).
In reply to Removed User:
You can get drops to control your wind? Put me down for some.
> To OP I've used monthly contact at altitude down to -20C, no problems, though the wind (at any level) causes mine to dry up a bit, so I have to keep on top of that with drops,
You can get drops to control your wind? Put me down for some.
In reply to Nao:
Me too. also after chopping onions, washing hands thoroughly before removing lenses is a good idea. And chillis.
> (In reply to CJD)
> [...]
>
> I wear contacts, and my eyes do water when chopping onions occasionally...
> [...]
>
> I wear contacts, and my eyes do water when chopping onions occasionally...
Me too. also after chopping onions, washing hands thoroughly before removing lenses is a good idea. And chillis.
In reply to DougG:
Aye... I'll put ye doon awright, smartarse......
Aye... I'll put ye doon awright, smartarse......
In reply to supertrickywoocheese:
Typically Everest is summited at about -25 C. A typical Mont Blanc summit is about -10 C.
Edmonton is currently -31 C. I suppose the inhabitants are walking round with frozen eyeballs or glasses fused to their skulls.
> Or even a ascent of Everest what do Glasses wearers wear ?
Typically Everest is summited at about -25 C. A typical Mont Blanc summit is about -10 C.
Edmonton is currently -31 C. I suppose the inhabitants are walking round with frozen eyeballs or glasses fused to their skulls.
In reply to Witkacy:
and.... i simply meant i have worn lenses in conditions of approx -30 degC without problem! My experience of glasses up on mountains has always been one of annoyance. If your eyes are suitable for contacts then there is no reason for not wearing them on the hills
and.... i simply meant i have worn lenses in conditions of approx -30 degC without problem! My experience of glasses up on mountains has always been one of annoyance. If your eyes are suitable for contacts then there is no reason for not wearing them on the hills
In reply to SJD:
I have worn lense at -30 and its not a problem. Like everyone says, if your eyes don't freeze, your lenses won't.
> (In reply to Witkacy)
>
> having said that, -30 with wind chill of course ...
>
> having said that, -30 with wind chill of course ...
I have worn lense at -30 and its not a problem. Like everyone says, if your eyes don't freeze, your lenses won't.
In reply to supertrickywoocheese:
Denali is the coldest place where I've used contact lenses. It was about -35 there and my eyeballs didn't freeze. It's quite common to have -40 in northern Finland and people live their normal life there. With contact lenses.
Some of my lenses did freeze when climbing the Denali because sometimes I was just too tired to pay enough attention. About half of the frozen lenses were broken after I melted the boxes. Other half was just fine.
Nowadays I use prescription mountaineering glasses and to me it's a better solution. If I'd do only few trips to Alps per year I'd use Night&Day lenses 24/7 during the trip.
Denali is the coldest place where I've used contact lenses. It was about -35 there and my eyeballs didn't freeze. It's quite common to have -40 in northern Finland and people live their normal life there. With contact lenses.
Some of my lenses did freeze when climbing the Denali because sometimes I was just too tired to pay enough attention. About half of the frozen lenses were broken after I melted the boxes. Other half was just fine.
Nowadays I use prescription mountaineering glasses and to me it's a better solution. If I'd do only few trips to Alps per year I'd use Night&Day lenses 24/7 during the trip.
In reply to supertrickywoocheese:
My wife did the high peak marathon (Night time orienteering event) in crap conditions a couple of years ago & saw a guy with frozen lenses (They had gone white/ cloudy apparently).
Dailys do freeze in the wee pots, doesn't seem to do them any harm though.
Nick
My wife did the high peak marathon (Night time orienteering event) in crap conditions a couple of years ago & saw a guy with frozen lenses (They had gone white/ cloudy apparently).
Dailys do freeze in the wee pots, doesn't seem to do them any harm though.
Nick
In reply to supertrickywoocheese:
My lenses have frozen up in their soloution in Scotland. If its very cold best to keep them stuffed down an inside pocket.
In the strongest of winds i have felt my lenses begin to move to one side of my eye-ball, for example on Monday on Stob Ghabhar, amusing really.
When wearing contacts in the mountains i always take my glases along too. Its all too easy too scratch your eye and end up loosing a lense, then being left partially blind on the hill.
My lenses have frozen up in their soloution in Scotland. If its very cold best to keep them stuffed down an inside pocket.
In the strongest of winds i have felt my lenses begin to move to one side of my eye-ball, for example on Monday on Stob Ghabhar, amusing really.
When wearing contacts in the mountains i always take my glases along too. Its all too easy too scratch your eye and end up loosing a lense, then being left partially blind on the hill.
In reply to Removed User:
Are you sure? I get really weepy eyes when cutting onions but with contacts I'm fine. I think she's right. I also wear ski goggles to cut onions if I haven't got my contacts in and that sorts it too.
> (In reply to Removed UserNao)
> [...]
>
> That is because it's the juice getting up yer nose that causes the weeping, CJD is talking pantalones
>
> [...]
>
> That is because it's the juice getting up yer nose that causes the weeping, CJD is talking pantalones
>
Are you sure? I get really weepy eyes when cutting onions but with contacts I'm fine. I think she's right. I also wear ski goggles to cut onions if I haven't got my contacts in and that sorts it too.
In reply to ontour:
I have used daily diposable lens for 2 yrs. I work outdoors on building sites and the only time I get a problem wearing them is due to drying out in very hot weather, air-conditioned offices, high winds and the blower on air vent in the car.
The above and next two points were confirmed and backed up by my optician:
1. In spin drift and in very dusty environments the lens actually protects the eyes.
2. Applying them in +4 deg or less the soft lens inverts due to the heat from your face. It is best to warm up spares next to your body before taking them out the container.
I read on telemarktips that one guy saves money by re-using his daily lens. Ewwwugh!
yours
Davie Paraffin
I have used daily diposable lens for 2 yrs. I work outdoors on building sites and the only time I get a problem wearing them is due to drying out in very hot weather, air-conditioned offices, high winds and the blower on air vent in the car.
The above and next two points were confirmed and backed up by my optician:
1. In spin drift and in very dusty environments the lens actually protects the eyes.
2. Applying them in +4 deg or less the soft lens inverts due to the heat from your face. It is best to warm up spares next to your body before taking them out the container.
I read on telemarktips that one guy saves money by re-using his daily lens. Ewwwugh!
yours
Davie Paraffin
In reply to Anonymous:
Despite all these success stories it may be worth bearing in mind the complication rate of 1 in 20 per year - a very high lifetime complication rate. I wonder if the main reason for their popularity is misguided vanity?
"Approximately 1 out of every 20 contact lens wearers develops a contact lens–related complication each year. These problems range from self-limiting to sight threatening, which require rapid diagnosis and treatment to prevent vision loss."
http://www.emedicine.com/oph/topic651.htm
Despite all these success stories it may be worth bearing in mind the complication rate of 1 in 20 per year - a very high lifetime complication rate. I wonder if the main reason for their popularity is misguided vanity?
"Approximately 1 out of every 20 contact lens wearers develops a contact lens–related complication each year. These problems range from self-limiting to sight threatening, which require rapid diagnosis and treatment to prevent vision loss."
http://www.emedicine.com/oph/topic651.htm
In reply to supertrickywoocheese: If you're on expedition then definately have a look at the day & night monthlies. I went to Greenland this summer for a month, put them in the day we left, took them out when I got back and carried one spare pair. Made life a lot easier, I don't think I could have managed with glasses and I wouldn't have mised those views for anything.
In reply to Witkacy:
Dear Witkacy,
I've read the above web-site. It certainly focuses on the morbid!
I wonder if there is a similar web-site featuring the vanity of climbers over-reaching themselves. Injury / mortality rates?
As far as I know, no one has died of regular eye care. In fact the opposite! Early detection of diabetes, cancer, gluacomae etc.
As for vanity, I see more and more people wearing spectacles as a fashion statement. Go figure?
regards
Davie Paraffin
> Despite all these success stories it may be worth bearing in mind the complication rate of 1 in 20 per year - a very high lifetime complication rate. I wonder if the main reason for their popularity is misguided vanity?
Dear Witkacy,
I've read the above web-site. It certainly focuses on the morbid!
I wonder if there is a similar web-site featuring the vanity of climbers over-reaching themselves. Injury / mortality rates?
As far as I know, no one has died of regular eye care. In fact the opposite! Early detection of diabetes, cancer, gluacomae etc.
As for vanity, I see more and more people wearing spectacles as a fashion statement. Go figure?
regards
Davie Paraffin
In reply to supertrickywoocheese: If your contact lenses freeze, then you're in trouble, as that means that your eyeballs are frozen, possibly with eyelids shut, possibly with them open. If you can't prevent the fluid around your eyes from freezing, clarity of vision isn't going to be at the top of your priority list.
In reply to supertrickywoocheese: Hey, its been said many times on this thread already but thought i`d add my tuppence worth! Spent 4 months in Lithuania during winter last year, regulary working outside in still air temps of -30 degrees c, often lower with wind chill and never had a problem with contacts freezing at all. Snot`s a different matter though.......
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