skatingforums
On the Ice => Sitting on the Boards Rink Side => Topic started by: falen on March 09, 2011, 08:24:18 PM
-
Need to vent, but comments are welcome. DD wanted to try for a synchro team next year. There was a practice, it is an outdoor rink. And she was told she can't use her glasses(they are the kinds that get darker outdoors). The child is somewhere worse than 20/200. She was devestated and crying. She has a comp there in less than 2 weeks, probably not even time to get new glasses. But really? She really can't skate with them? ACLU anyone?
-
So weird. I wear mine for time to time and they have never come close to falling off, even during spins. I have terrible vision too so it would be dangerous for me to not have them on.
-
It wasn't so much for them flying off, it was that they are like sunglasses giving an unfair advantage. I'm still like REALLY! There is no advantage since I am sure most kids w/o glasses are 20/20 & I think dd's is corrected to only 20/30. Some people are just mean!
-
My DD's eyes are not as bad as your DD's, nor are my DS's. She does not skate with her glasses on, as, without her glasses her balance is better. However, she is farsighted, so, not an issue with her safety on the ice.
In my son's case, he cannot wear them skating; in a jump or a spin, or in a fall on the ice, they will come off. Same reason he doesn't play baseball or do other physical activities with them. Now, there was a boy at Canadian Nationals who skated with his glasses on, however, they were held on with a strap at the back.
Should it get to the point where the glasses are necessary on the ice, we will switch to contacts. Our opthamologist fits then at age 10, and my guy is older than that now.
We also have the transitions lenses on my one kid's glasses. I do know that they do reduce her vision to a certain extent, as they do darken quite a bit; perhaps that's the issue for the synchro team? Did you ask why they were not permitting her to wear them? I'd be interested to know the answer.
-
My DD wears her glasses all the time. She has contacts but is usually to lazy to wear them. The only time they ever came off was when she was doing a jump in the harness and part of the harness brushed her face.
So they won't let her try-out at all...even if you were to promise to get her new glasses if she makes the team?
-
Sorry ... just to clarify: my son skates at (what I believe the US equivalent is, but I'm not entirely sure) the Intermediate to Novice level ... so, he's doing 2A and and flying deathdrops and that sort of stuff ... glasses are not going to survive that darned flying back entry :) and when he hits the ice in a fall, we expect to see body parts come off, not even thinking about the likelihood of glasses staying on! We just never had him wear them at the lower level as we knew that eventually they would have to come off when he got to the higher levels. Figured we should start where we would end up.
-
I would love to switch to contacts, but she can't get them in, DH and I need no correction so we are clueless. So dr won't release them to her because none of us know how to use them. She has tried twice. But after about 30 min the dr says to come back.
-
My DD's eyes are not as bad as your DD's, nor are my DS's. She does not skate with her glasses on, as, without her glasses her balance is better. However, she is farsighted, so, not an issue with her safety on the ice.
In my son's case, he cannot wear them skating; in a jump or a spin, or in a fall on the ice, they will come off. Same reason he doesn't play baseball or do other physical activities with them. Now, there was a boy at Canadian Nationals who skated with his glasses on, however, they were held on with a strap at the back.
Should it get to the point where the glasses are necessary on the ice, we will switch to contacts. Our opthamologist fits then at age 10, and my guy is older than that now.
We also have the transitions lenses on my one kid's glasses. I do know that they do reduce her vision to a certain extent, as they do darken quite a bit; perhaps that's the issue for the synchro team? Did you ask why they were not permitting her to wear them? I'd be interested to know the answer.
I did not get a chance to ask since they were practicing. Coach thinks it could be a uniformity thing, but now I'm wondering about her comp, we don't have time to get her new glasses. Even Lenscrafters had to send hers out.
-
I wouldn't worry about your daughter's glasses for her singles competition. The glasses thing really is solely a synchro problem and is a safety issue.
Synchro is an inherently dangerous sport. There's 16 skaters on the ice and things sometimes go wrong. The coaches are worried about their being an accident and the glasses breaking and then causing potential injury to your daughter or another skater. While I appreciate that no glasses isn't an option and your DD isn't necessarily ready for contacts, there are other solutions to look into, such as getting a band to secure the glasses to her head. I would however, recommend talking to the synchro coach and finding out what sort of solution they would find acceptable.
I skate on an adult team and wear glasses. I wear contacts most of the time but there are those odd days when the eyes need a rest so I take a risk and just wear glasses, but it's my choice. We have one lady on the team who only wears glasses. As adults, it's our choice, but I know on the kids teams there are kids who take their glasses off when they skate (their vision isn't that bad).
So for your DD's competition in a few weeks, don't panic. I'm sure there's lots of other things you're worrying about but don't add glasses to the list. With regards to synchro, find a time to talk to the coach, explain about your DD's eyesight issues and see if you can come up with a workable solution just for synchro. I find synchro different from singles anyway, just because I practice on my own in gloves and I'm not allowed at synchro.
-
I am confused. Is the issue about wearing glasses, or that they will adjust to lighting conditions?
-
It wasn't so much for them flying off, it was that they are like sunglasses giving an unfair advantage. I'm still like REALLY! There is no advantage since I am sure most kids w/o glasses are 20/20 & I think dd's is corrected to only 20/30. Some people are just mean!
First you say the tinted lenses give your child an unfair advantage, then you say others are mean for not allowing that? ??? Just because your daughter doesn't have perfect vision, doesn't mean she should be given an unfair advantage by using tinted lenses. She'll just have to wait until you get her glasses that do not change in sunlight.
-
It seems to be the changing lenses. Coach really thinks its an esthetics thing.
And when you wear glasses it was recommended to get Transition. Apparently high scripts that are untinted increase the chances of developing floaters due to uv damage. Floaters are uncorrectable and it's permanent damage. It happened to my mother because she was too cheap to get the Transistions. So I will not be getting her glasses that do not change in the sunlight. So when she was told it gave an unfair advantage it is pure ignorance. One poster even mentioned that they LIMIT your vision so DD is at a DISadvantage to wear the transitions, but they are needed to prevent secondary damage. Really who sees better when it's darker??? So yes it is mean because it is ignorant and not an advantage.
I had to edit, when I reread it sounded like I was calling the poster ignorant, I was directing it to the meanie at the rink that made the comment. :)
-
I think you're exaggerating the need for Transitions to gear up for a fight with the synchro coach. I'm not going to fuel your fire.
It probably is aesthetics - everyone on the team ends up looking exactly alike in synchro. That's why they have the over-the-boot tights, hairpieces, matching outfits, and team makeup sessions. I know synchro skaters of all ages who wear glasses, but we skate indoors and they don't wear Transitions.
Don't do synchro if the Transition lenses are that important to your family. Sounds like you'd be doing the synchro team a favor.
-
I think you're exaggerating the need for Transitions to gear up for a fight with the synchro coach. I'm not going to fuel your fire.
It probably is aesthetics - everyone on the team ends up looking exactly alike in synchro. That's why they have the over-the-boot tights, hairpieces, matching outfits, and team makeup sessions.
Don't do synchro if the Transition lenses are that important to your family. Sounds like you'd be doing the synchro team a favor.
If uniformity is the issue, I say ridiculous...my dd skated synchro and kids wore glasses etc. Heck, on one of the teams one of the girls either was undergoing chemotherapy or she had alopecia and had lost her hair.....so should SHE not be able to skate because her hair was different? Honestly, I am stunned that more people here are not being sensitive to the OPers daughters' need for glasses. What level is this that glasses is SUCH a big deal?
-
First you say the tinted lenses give your child an unfair advantage, then you say others are mean for not allowing that? ??? Just because your daughter doesn't have perfect vision, doesn't mean she should be given an unfair advantage by using tinted lenses. She'll just have to wait until you get her glasses that do not change in sunlight.
Honestly if they do not want transitions or sunglasses, they should write it out on the entry form. Then people would not enter if they have medical reason. I know I would not have entered her had it said something like that. And I am fine with not letting her do syncro due to the glasses. I think it should be written. It seems arbitrary. Maybe there is another syncro team that would not make it an issue. There's the lawyer in me coming out!!! I will have to search the online rulebook. If its not written, it just seems discriminatory. If it is written somewhere, I am fine abiding by the rules, I just wish someone knew enough to tell me not to enter this particular comp. There are plenty indoor ones.
-
If uniformity is the issue, I say ridiculous...my dd skated synchro and kids wore glasses etc. Heck, on one of the teams one of the girls either was undergoing chemotherapy or she had alopecia and had lost her hair.....so should SHE not be able to skate because her hair was different? Honestly, I am stunned that more people here are not being sensitive to the OPers daughters' need for glasses. What level is this that glasses is SUCH a big deal?
It's a beginner lever.
I'm over it. But geez, I thought the people were over glasses. In the old days, like 100 years ago, you'd get teased, but now every 4th kid wears glasses. I understand, they want uniformity, but it would have been nice to know, write it down someplace. No glasses, must wear contacts, no shaded lenses. Document it so that people are not in the dark. Is it in any rulebooks? If it is, it should be on the applications too. I will go not and try to find.
Edit. I searched for tint, glass, sunglass, sun (the only thing found was Sunday) in the online rulebook, and nothing came up. So I feel better about the comp. And since it is not in a book, person who made the comment to her was just being mean. Maybe she wanted to shake her confidence. Kids who wear glasses are already self concious. I did not want her doing syncro anyway...just too much money for both. Blessing in disguise. But if I am wrong and it is somewhere, or you find it somewhere...PLEASE let me know. I would much rather she know now and not go than the day of the competition.
-
What is discriminatory about not allowing sunglasses?
From what you have posted it sounds like they would be fine with her wearing regular glasses that just correct her vision.
But unless she has an additional medical condition that requires sunglasses, it doesn't seem to be anything but an annoyance that your skater has transition lenses instead of regular ones. Yes, the transition lense might help protect against developing floaters, but there is nothing that requires her to wear them at all times. She could just wear regular glasses instead. What about a 1 hour optical?
Not to mention, I'm not sure "synchro team" is protected for those with special needs the way a job or education is, nor is "transition lense wearer" a protected class, so I don't think you have much of a discrimination claim. (Possibly if it is a tax-funded city synchro team you may have more of one then if it is private -private organizations can discriminate against whomever they want as long as it is not a protected class... If the transition lenses are due to a protected medical condition -such as if the skater were legally blind then maybe you also have a stronger case. But if your skater can be corrected to 20/30 then obviously they aren't legally blind. I think you can only be considered legally blind if the best correction is to 20/200. And then synchro would be a pretty impressive feat!)
I'm sorry you are frustrated, but it doesn't sound like your skater is being discriminated against. It would have been nice for the team to mention the restriction earlier though, so you had time to get another pair of glasses. Does she have an older pair? They might not be current, but are they good enough correction that she can get through the routine?
-
No all her glasses have been transitions. Like I said, dh and I don't wear glasses, so we are going by what the dr tells us. He says she needs them, we get them. I think I mentioned that her script had to be sent out. The first time we went to Lenscrafter because we thought we could get them the same day and it is not on all scripts. Since then we go to a regular eye doctor. There is no reason to go the Lenscrafter since they can't do it any faster.
So if you guys know anything on the tinted lenses and comp please let me know, I would rather save her the embarassment and know beforehand.
If there isn't, it's obviouly THIS team. There are many other fish in the sea.
OOO I forgot, she does have a pair of goggles that aren't tinted. I think that would go over well :angel
-
If uniformity is the issue, I say ridiculous...my dd skated synchro and kids wore glasses etc. Heck, on one of the teams one of the girls either was undergoing chemotherapy or she had alopecia and had lost her hair.....so should SHE not be able to skate because her hair was different? Honestly, I am stunned that more people here are not being sensitive to the OPers daughters' need for glasses. What level is this that glasses is SUCH a big deal?
I don't have a problem with the glasses - I said that our team allows them, but no one on our teams NEEDS the TRANSITIONS glasses since we're indoors. The higher-level synchro teams are usually older skaters who can handle contacts. I am NOT a synchro coach, but I do have some insight into how they think, thanks to the past few years of being involved with synchro as a parent and a skater.
This sounds like a competitive team since they have a practice and a tryout. Our teams have a signup and they add to the roster until the USFSA deadline, lol. That means falen's intended team spots are in demand, so there are others waiting to fill that slot and willing to wear whatever the coaches say. Right or wrong, that's the reality.
From a synchro coaches' perspective, imagine a team of 8-12 skaters lined up like matching dolls and one's wearing sunglasses. The serious synchro team coaches would argue that the glasses would be distracting during performances. The goal is uniformity, which is why I think it's just an aesthetics isse. (Which is one of the things I dislike about synchro - it takes away individuality in skating.)
Since falen is already talking discrimination and ACLU, I think she's getting ready to attack the synchro coaches instead of simply having a conversation to see what the synchro coach meant and find a happy medium to allow the daughter to skate on the team. They were up front in telling her about the glasses at the practice when they saw them on the DD, so I don't understand why she wants a written list of what's not allowed. It'd be a phone book! She's also going by what the daughter heard, which all parent know isn't necessarily what was said to the DD. The DD might have misunderstood! I wouldn't wish an angry parent complaining about discrimination on my worst enemy, so I don't think she should join that team. I think she should look for a different team that will allow the daughter to skate with the glasses since they're essential.
Falen's so worked up, she seems to be combining things to fuel her anger. I don't understand the story with the upcoming competition - I thought it was a singles competition. That has nothing to do with the synchro team. All she has to do is contact the competition chair and ask them about the glasses. They'll probably say "don't worry about it." One less thing to be frantic about before the competition.
She needs to step back and calm down, then approach others. I don't think this synchro team is right for her family, though.
-
"OOO I forgot, she does have a pair of goggles that aren't tinted. I think that would go over well "
Honestly, I know you are being silly, but for synchro I think goggles might actually be safer. I skate in glasses (can't see a darn thing without them, I'm worse than 20/200 uncorrected) and really only have problems that they fog up on some days (and if I don't have a backup pair of contacts I just have to leave- I can't wear contacts regularly due to a medical condition, so I buy 1 box of dailies at a time, and wear about 20 pairs a year)) and while they very rarely fall off, they have before. I skated synchro and I'd be terrified someone would trip over fallen glasses, and either hurt themselves, or crush my glasses. In singles skating, you put yourself at risk, in synchro there are a lot more people to worry about! You should definetly consider sport glasses.
In synchro the rules don't even let you wear bobby pins in your hair! It's possible the team is interpreting the rule about ornamentation, since sunglasses are generally considered that, and not the same as regular glasses. In which case, it only says it needs to be firmly attached to the head, and a behind the neck band should do it. But I do agree it will look ridiculous to have one member of a synchro team in sunglasses, so the coaches might just say no way.
One thing I'm not clear about- is the tinted lense thing a TEAM rule, or a COMPETITION rule? (As far as I know, it is not a federation rule for either ISI or USFSA- but you could try emailing them too, I've found both federations to be responsive.) In addition to federations who make the overall rules, competitions can set their own additional rules, and teams can have team requirements. (Some teams do not allow haircuts during the season, for example. That's certainly not a federation rule.) If it is not a federation rule, since it is a beginner team, you could better petition the right people- if it's a competition rule, the team can't help you, you need to talk to the referee. If it's a team rule, then you could ask for a one time exception, and then remove your daughter from the team.
-
As far as I can tell from the OP's posts, the upcoming event is a SINGLES competition. It has nothing to do with synchro or the team, but apparently someone said something to the daughter about the tinted lenses not being allowed at the upcoming SINGLES competition. Falen didn't speak with "the meanie" so she doesn't really know what was said but in her anger, she's mixed it up with the upfront synchro coach's notice about the DD's current glasses. (Which could very well have been misunderstood as well.)
If sunglasses/tinted lenses/transitions lenses is a real issue for the upcoming competition, only the skating Club can make that call.
Contacting the USFSA or ISI is going to be fruitless since they'll just say "Well, it's an outdoor rink and the LOC can set those rules."
OP:
. Start by contacting the Competition Chair - their info should be in the competition announcement.
. Ask for a definitive answer about the lenses for the upcoming competition. I'd be surprised if it was an issue, but the world is a crazy place...
. If you want your daughter to do synchro, contact the coaches and ask for clarification on the use of the transitions lenses.
. They may have meant "not for competitions" or "not at all" but until you open a dialogue, you will not know.
. It's unfair to disparage the team as disability-hating meanies without actually talking to them reasonably and trying to compromise.
If they're sports goggles, they'll be fine. Swimming goggles might be uncomfortable and they'll probably fog up.
Going without glasses for a singles event isn't as dangerous since the skater has the ice to themselves. They just have to judge the walls well.
-
It's a beginner lever.
I'm over it. But geez, I thought the people were over glasses. In the old days, like 100 years ago, you'd get teased, but now every 4th kid wears glasses. I understand, they want uniformity, but it would have been nice to know, write it down someplace. No glasses, must wear contacts, no shaded lenses. Document it so that people are not in the dark. Is it in any rulebooks? If it is, it should be on the applications too. I will go not and try to find.
Edit. I searched for tint, glass, sunglass, sun (the only thing found was Sunday) in the online rulebook, and nothing came up. So I feel better about the comp. And since it is not in a book, person who made the comment to her was just being mean. Maybe she wanted to shake her confidence. Kids who wear glasses are already self concious. I did not want her doing syncro anyway...just too much money for both. Blessing in disguise. But if I am wrong and it is somewhere, or you find it somewhere...PLEASE let me know. I would much rather she know now and not go than the day of the competition.
Beginner??? OMG...I am looking at a picture of my dd skating synchro beginner level with glasses on.
-
Thanks for clarifying that the issue isn't sunglasses in synchro.
Unless it was deemed that the sunglasses are "theatrical in nature" as opposed to just regular glasses, there shouldn't be any reason a skater can't wear them. Calling the competition chair is the only way to find out if it's okay. They can then ask the referree.
It's much more cut and dry in singles than synchro. The ref says okay- it's okay.
(In synchro you have team rules to deal with as well.)
I would think you have a somewhat valid arguement for a refund if the ref says no, since it's not in the announcement. But I wouldn't be surprised if they stick to "no refunds for any reason". You can't put EVERYTHING into the announcement, and they might just tell you since it's an exceptional case you should have asked first. But if the ref says no sunglasses, since it is singles, can you just have her skate once without her glasses? If she is beginner level she probably isn't as near to the boards during the routine as senior skaters get. I had to do that once, and it was a bit nerve wracking, but with no one else out on the ice, it's not a big issue. (I would NEVER practice without glasses on.)
-
Beginner??? OMG...I am looking at a picture of my dd skating synchro beginner level with glasses on.
It's a beginner level team, but the team has a practice and a tryout, so it's probably a more competitive team, not a recreational one.
Again, falen doesn't know what the real issue is with the glasses. It's probably the darkening feature, not the glasses themselves.
She needs to talk to the synchro coaches, but first talk to the competition chair about the upcoming SINGLES event.
I would think you have a somewhat valid arguement for a refund if the ref says no, since it's not in the announcement.
I think so too, if it's really an issue. (She doesn't know.)
In this case, it is too short notice to get replacement glasses, so I would think a refund would be in order.
If this is your home rink, It might be a good idea to take an old pair of her glasses, or get the sports goggles Skittl1321 mentioned, fitted with clear lenses.
The speciality lenses always have to be sent out because few labs have the equipment to create Transitions or coated lenses.
The Opthalmologist probably uses the same lab as the chain stores, to be honest.
My sister (a lifelong glasses wearer) uses an online place that's really cheap - I'll ask her for the website. She had glasses made for $12 plus shipping.
-
If the goggle will work, I'm fine with that! All of them have a uv coating. But it is still better to find another team.
I did not even think of getting a refund. Thanks!!! And nobody ever thought twice about the transitions until that day. The glasses are like a part of her. It was like "You can't wear those" and she was looking around "wear what?" No one ever thought to ask, they are just part of her face. not an exception. At her school, everyone with glasses has transitions, and I mean even the Kindergardeners. Maybe its from the same neighborhood doctor, but its pretty standard.
I will email I'd rather pull her out than have her embarassed in front of all her friends the day of.
LOL if it is such and advantage to wear transitions and it is not in the rulebook, maybe this will start a trend!
Without glasses would not work. Dr told me she sees like I would see in heavy fog with 5-10 ft visibility. Pretty much just shapes and colors.
-
I'm guessing the neighborhood doctor is an Optometrist. I've found that Optometrists, who are not medical doctors, are more sales-oriented in terms of coatings and specialty lenses. They often place the orders with the lab and they receive a commission for the options they sell. That's how I ended up with gradiated lenses that gave me dizzy spells and headaches. It wasn't necessary since my reading vision was barely in need of adjustment, according to the Opthalmologist I went to later. (I thought something was wrong with me, not realizing it was the glasses.)
Opthalmologists are specialty medical doctors that, if they make a recommendation, it carries more weight IMO. They usually give you the pros and cons of those options and let you make the decision whereever you buy the glasses. They give you a prescription for glasses that you take to have filled elsewhere, so they don't have a vested interest in what you buy other than making sure you can make an informed decision. With my FIL, the Opthalmologist recommended darker Transitions lenses after the MD diagnosis.
-
What about getting her a pair of glasses with clip-on sunglasses? They used to look somewhat unattractive, but, nowadays, many of the clip-on sunglasses are quite nice looking and very trendy. And, frankly, the clear with clipons are cheaper than transitions, and you can get them in darker shades; there are other problems with the transitions, as, in many cases, they do not "react" in the car or in rooms that have windows that have UV coating on them ... so, clipons give you that sunglass effect in those areas which the transitions may not.
We get two pairs of glasses for my kid: one with transitions, one without. She needs the transitions b/c she is farsighted; same heightened risk factor due to the index but not as severe as Falen's kid (yes, this is a legitimate problem; particuarly if the child is blue-eyed, oddly enough). However, in winter, we typically don't need the transitions in our area as the UV index is lower, and she's not a skiier. The one pair with transitions are in titanium frames as they are used for sports and outdoor activities; the ones without are pretty fashion-type frames. We can also get a clip on for those pretty ones if we want them - but, don't bother.
-
I am light eyed and got floaters. One right in my line of vision, so now I wear sunglasses even on cloudy days. The dr said that without the uv due to the script can do similar damage. Right now I am really kind of stuck with what she has, but I will definitely be talking to the doctor on the options you mentioned. Or just avoid outdoor rinks and obviously no synchro since you can't pick and choose which rink your team competes at.
I just needed a place to vent. It was just so Little House on the Prairie, the whole situation. I think she will still be worried that it will effect her grades on the competition. It will definitely psych her out.
-
I am light eyed and got floaters. One right in my line of vision, so now I wear sunglasses even on cloudy days. The dr said that without the uv due to the script can do similar damage. Right now I am really kind of stuck with what she has, but I will definitely be talking to the doctor on the options you mentioned. Or just avoid outdoor rinks and obviously no synchro since you can't pick and choose which rink your team competes at.
I just needed a place to vent. It was just so Little House on the Prairie, the whole situation. I think she will still be worried that it will effect her grades on the competition. It will definitely psych her out.
Outdoor competitions are rare....so I wouldn't let it sway you from synchro. My dd did synchro from age 6 - 9 and she never had even ONE outdoor competition.
-
I don't think it would hurt her to get a special pair of glasses for use at skating competitions. It won't work for this competition, since there isn't enough time, but for the future. Even non-shaded glasses have UV coatings. I don't have transitions, but my clear glasses offer UV protection. Contacts generally do too.
Think about how much money you spend on skates, on dresses, on lessons. A pair of glasses she can wear for competitions would just be an expense of the sport. (Kids need back up glasses anyway. If she absolutely can't go without them- what do you do when they break?) Getting either sport goggles, or special glasses that are made not to break is a really good idea. Fashion glasses generally break upon hard impact- like them flying off your face after a spin (never happened to me skating, but did once dancing).
As she gets older, talk to the doctor about contacts. Like I said, I cannot wear contacts due to medical restrictions, my doctor has approved daily contacts for special occasions, like competitions, that I wear for less than 5 hours.
-
We always keep her old glasses for backup. But like I said all of them were transitions. I was told clear glasses have no uv, must check that out. Dr did tell me contacts have uv protection.
-
You can get clear glasses that aren't coated, but I've never gone to an eye doctor who gives you that option. (It's pre-checked on all the forms.) I suppose you could ask to have it taken off, but UV protection is important, as you know.
If you don't have money for new frames, it is usually easy to just get new lenses for an old pair, to use for skating. Frames are always the most expensive part of getting glasses.
-
You can get clear glasses that aren't coated, but I've never gone to an eye doctor who gives you that option. (It's pre-checked on all the forms.) I suppose you could ask to have it taken off, but UV protection is important, as you know.
Glasses are made of polycarbonate which as a material prevents UV light passing through.
-
So what's the big deal about the transitions? Why do they push it?
-
So what's the big deal about the transitions? Why do they push it?
That's probably something you need to ask your eye doctor. I've had glasses for going on 15-16 years. I don't know my numbers off the top of my head, but I'd venture to say it's close to 20/200 along with astigmatism as an added bonus. Without glasses/contacts I can see colors and shapes/outlines and not much else. I've never had the transitions lenses and never been pushed into them....
-
I don't need reading glasses, so I have clear glasses and sunglasses. Both are prescription and have UV protection.
I think my sunglasses are darker than Transitions, though. I have light eyes and floaters myself, but my Opthalmologist said that as long as I wear sunglasses with UV protection, it'll be fine. My current pair are also polarized, which makes it really hard to read the digital displays in the car, lol.
I never liked the look of the indoor color on Transitions lenses. They always look dirty to me, like they're nicotine-stained.
The newer ones are much better and clear more quickly when you move out of bright light.
Falen - what answers did you get about the competition and the synchro team?
-
That's probably something you need to ask your eye doctor. I've had glasses for going on 15-16 years. I don't know my numbers off the top of my head, but I'd venture to say it's close to 20/200 along with astigmatism as an added bonus. Without glasses/contacts I can see colors and shapes/outlines and not much else. I've never had the transitions lenses and never been pushed into them....
I'm the same way. Classes pratically my whole live and never transitions. I have had the clips, but only because they came with a pair when I was a kid. I also have dark eyes and have never heard of floaters? So maybe it was never an issue?
-
Most competitions aren't outdoors so perhaps your daughter could be an "alternate" for outdoor comps and skate with the team during indoor competitions. Or perhaps you could get the coach to choreograph a number to "I wear my sunglasses at night" and then the whole team would wear them!
On a serious note....if a beginner team won't let a kid wear prescriptions lenses that transition in bright light, maybe that's not a team your child should be on. If you're doing USFSA Synchro, I do believe that beginner teams still fall under learn to skate and I can assure you there's no rule about transition lenses at that level. However, if you daughter does want to consider synchro I would HIGHLY recommend a sports band to hold them on!
-
I don't need reading glasses, so I have clear glasses and sunglasses. Both are prescription and have UV protection.
I think my sunglasses are darker than Transitions, though. I have light eyes and floaters myself, but my Opthalmologist said that as long as I wear sunglasses with UV protection, it'll be fine. My current pair are also polarized, which makes it really hard to read the digital displays in the car, lol.
I never liked the look of the indoor color on Transitions lenses. They always look dirty to me, like they're nicotine-stained.
The newer ones are much better and clear more quickly when you move out of bright light.
Falen - what answers did you get about the competition and the synchro team?
We saw the chairlady personally. At first she seemed off put and asked to see the glasses. Put them up to her face. Then there were some soft spoken expletives and said she can certainly wear them. Maybe she felt sorry at how bad DD's vision was. That was for the comp next weekend. I think dd is over the synchro so no use pursuing that.
-
It seems to be the changing lenses. Coach really thinks its an esthetics thing.
And when you wear glasses it was recommended to get Transition. Apparently high scripts that are untinted increase the chances of developing floaters due to uv damage. Floaters are uncorrectable and it's permanent damage. It happened to my mother because she was too cheap to get the Transistions. So I will not be getting her glasses that do not change in the sunlight. So when she was told it gave an unfair advantage it is pure ignorance. One poster even mentioned that they LIMIT your vision so DD is at a DISadvantage to wear the transitions, but they are needed to prevent secondary damage. Really who sees better when it's darker??? So yes it is mean because it is ignorant and not an advantage.
I had to edit, when I reread it sounded like I was calling the poster ignorant, I was directing it to the meanie at the rink that made the comment. :)
I am assuming by advantage, they are referring to the fact that if her glasses are transition glasses, she essentially has sunglasses on which will make it easier for her to see if it is sunny outside. Yes, it will be darker but the glare won't be there. I don't know that anyone was being "mean". Syncro is not big here, so I don't know much about it. I do know that there are different rules in syncro then in singles...
-
Honestly if they do not want transitions or sunglasses, they should write it out on the entry form. Then people would not enter if they have medical reason. I know I would not have entered her had it said something like that. And I am fine with not letting her do syncro due to the glasses. I think it should be written. It seems arbitrary. Maybe there is another syncro team that would not make it an issue. There's the lawyer in me coming out!!! I will have to search the online rulebook. If its not written, it just seems discriminatory. If it is written somewhere, I am fine abiding by the rules, I just wish someone knew enough to tell me not to enter this particular comp. There are plenty indoor ones.
I can understand that. Is your daughter feeling hurt at all? I see you talked to the comp chair. That is great. :) Hopefully you and your daughter feel better about the singles comp! I hope it goes well for her.
-
That is why I got all growly. She was hurt. But now she feels better knowing that she can compete with the glasses. I'll let you know how she does.
-
Yes, please let us know how the competition goes for her.
-
Some people, probably including many skaters, wear tinted contacts to change their eye color, or to keep out bright sunlight.
You have to be very close to someone to tell they are wearing contacts. I doubt judges normally look, but I suppose an evil rival who knew could tell them.
I suspect this is more like certain showgirl groups that require all dancers to be about the same height, to create a uniform look. Do they make everyone dye their hair the same way?
When I tried (soft) contacts, I found it very difficult to put them in. When anything touches or comes close to my eyes, my eyes want to close. Eventually I managed, slowly.
The ophthalmologist said ladies who use makeup are more used to having stuff near their eyes. So applying makeup around the eyes might be good practice for her. Maybe she could practice touching her eyes very lightly with the (clean) tips of her fingers (not her fingernails)?
You might also try another optometrist or ophthalmologist.
In the end, for various reasons, soft contacts didn't work out for me.
I eventually had Lasik surgery. I did it because I didn't want to die if I lost my glasses or the lenses from my glasses while whitewater boating. Contacts would not have solved that problem.
But as an adult, and I understood the risks.
Many years later I need distance glasses to drive legally, in spite of the surgery (which produced imperfect results), and need near glasses to print as small as the ingredients lists on some food packages. This is partly because, like many people, I lost the ability to adapt sufficiently between near and far vision as I aged.
I don't regret having the surgery. It is usually very pleasant not to need glasses most of the time. But the risks are real. And surgery can't fix all future problems, such as continued vision changes and loss of adaptability.
-
She got second place.
It was a cloudy day ::>)
-
Congrats to your DD! After the issue of her glasses, was she able to enjoy her performance?
-
Congratulations. I hope she and all the family are happy with her success.
-
Yes she had fun. She wants to go again, but this get expensive :sweat
-
Some people, probably including many skaters, wear tinted contacts to change their eye color, or to keep out bright sunlight.
Contacts that change your eye color do nothing to block sunlight. I wore them for throughout high school- there is a hole in the middle and if your pupil constricts due to the sunlight you see your natural eye color through the hole.
I've never heard of contacts designed to keep sunlight -glare- out, just UV protection, like clear glasses do.
-
Skittl1321:
If you really care, check a search engine for "dark tinted contacts".
At least one company makes them.
There is a patent on polarized contact lenses,
http://www.polarizedcontactlenses.com
which would reduce glare from the ice (so would polarized glasses), which would be inherently somewhat darker than clear lenses. But as far as I can tell, no one makes them yet.
But it seems it no longer matters.
-
She got second place.
It was a cloudy day ::>)
Good for her! Awesome. :)
-
Skittl1321:
If you really care, check a search engine for "dark tinted contacts".
At least one company makes them.
There is a patent on polarized contact lenses,
http://www.polarizedcontactlenses.com
which would reduce glare from the ice (so would polarized glasses), which would be inherently somewhat darker than clear lenses. But as far as I can tell, no one makes them yet.
But it seems it no longer matters.
amazing!!
-
She got second place.
It was a cloudy day ::>)
Congratulations!