{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\fswiss\fcharset0 Arial;}} {\*\generator Msftedit 5.41.15.1515;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\li2880\ri2880\f0\fs20 You Are Issued Only One Pair Of Eyes\par Considering that we are issued only one pair of eyes per lifetime, it stands to reason that good eye protection is as important to the cyclist as wearing a helmet. Since it takes only a single pebble kicked up by the tire of a passing automobile to put out the lights, the price of really good glasses is a bargain at any price.\par Standard corrective eyeglasses obtained from an optometrist for everyday wear are not designed to protect the eyes from heavy impact. Same goes for cheap, mart-special sunglasses. Safest bet for cycling are lenses of polycarbonate or other impact-resistant material. Top-quality protective lenses also reduce damage to the eyes from ultraviolet rays transmitted by the sun. The bad guys are UVA and UVB rays, especially the latter, so buy only those glasses that are 100 percent effective at blocking them. When deciding on color keep in mind that a dark lens drastically reduces light transmission to the eye and while it is just the ticket for bright sunlit days, you are severly handicapping your vision by wearing it in lower levels of ambient light.\par I prefer yellow lenses for overcast and dark cloudy days although a friend tells me she spots potholes in the road better when wearing orange. For all-around use in all light conditions I am convinced a clear lens is the one to wear. Contrary to popular opinion, a top-quality clear lens designed for the purpose offers the same level of UV protection as the darkest lens available. Eyeglasses with interchangeable lens are one of the cyclist's best friends--you start out wearing one color and should ambient light conditions change during a ride you switch to the other color stowed in a jersey pocket or undersaddle bag. Another option is glasses with photochromatic or photochromic lenses that automatically darken or lighten depending on the intensity of the light they are exposed to.\par }