Glasses?

[FencingQueen4]

Hello! Is it hard to fence w/ glasses? Um, because I have them ^^;; The instructor *sp?* said it would be fine, but do you think it is a dis-advantage?

[sabreuse]

I don't wear glasses so I can't say for sure. I would guess it depends on how much you need them. I've seen plenty of people who fence with glasses without any problems and I know some people who take them off because they fog up.

I fenced this one guy who usually wears contacts but wore glasses one night. He tried to fence without them and had trouble seeing the blade (significant problem!).

[Rick]

Your Majesty:

I used to wear glasses while fencing. Then some freak thing happened. During a foil bout at practice, both my opponent and I lunged at each other. His tip came at my mask and displaced it while it was still on (a quarter turn to the left). My glasses went in the same direction and cut me less than an inch from my left eye.
Now I wear contact lenses.
However, from a vision stand-point, I see no difference between glasses and contacts. But there is also the convenience factor, sometimes I've had to call timeout during competition just to wipe off the fog and sweat forming on the lenses.

[Arturo]

I wear glasses while I fence. The only problem I have is puting on the mask. Other than that I have had no problems.

[edew]

I wear glasses for practice and contacts for competition. Glasses do fog up, as well as get covered in sweat. That's sort of unavoidable. Sometimes, I can't make out where my opponent is because the glasses fog up so badly. I also use Croakies to hold the glasses onto my head. I have no problems putting on my mask (but that's because of my 20 years of fencing with glasses).

For competition, I wear contacts so I avoid the fogging up and other problems. However, the contacts don't correct my astigmatism, so there is a minute amount of problem with that.

[Moonitic]

Do what you need to do. If you have someone coming after you with a blade & they usually wear glasses, would you rather have them able to see or unable? Personally, I pick able. A few friends of mine who fence with glasses on have no trouble with the fog or sweat.

(Now everyone in the MI division can yell at me to wear MY glasses!...a recent development)

[FencingQueen4]

Hehe thanks guys. Yea, he did say they might fog up. I have used contacts, I just don't like 'em. >.< I'll try it w/ glasses, and see how it goes.

[Crash55]

I have always worn glasses when I fence. So long as you treat them with someno fog solution I have never had them fog on me during a bout.

Getting the mask on and off can be a problem depending upon the shape of the glasses. I leave the elastic strap on teh back of my mask undone while putting teh mask on and then do it up. Takes a bit longer but easier then trying to put it on with the strap already in place. Can also work as a stalling practice when you need to gather your thoughts in a bout.

[MikeHarm]

Another option that I've seen some fencers try (but not many), is you can get sports goggles with the lenses being made to your eyeglass prescription. I heard positive things about those but I still just use the standard model. I guess if I had a lexan mask I'd worry more about the fogging issue.

Mike

[RC]

I've found that the masks with a donut shaped face pad don't work very well with glasses on. My Allstar mask doesn't have padding at the temples so my glasses fit just fine. Like Crash55 I have to do up the back strap. Only problem is I can't lift my mask like a knight's visor. (-50 LCV points)

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"Etes-vous prets?"
"Oui!"

[Gav]

Wearing glasses is fine. I have never seen anyone have any problems. I wear contact lenses, occasionally they dry out so it's always handy to have some solution lying around.

[*~susan~*]

basically it comes down to what you feel as comfortable...
I used to wear glasses but the recent switch to contacts has honestly made a difference. I find myself focusing more on fencing than my glasses being uncomfortable, foggy, etc. So it just might be worth it to take contacts into consideration.
at the same time, though youre facing a catch-22, in a way. though contacts are just fine and dandy, they have a tendency to dry up occasionally and in rare instances may fall out!!!
(ive fenced a few bouts "one-eyed" and in those few instances i found myself in NEED of my glasses.)
-> i still find myself fencing in contacts, though i switch from time to time. its a ll a matter of what feels comfortable...but it all has to be considered!
good luck in your search.
susan

[Dragoneye]

Hey gang,

I have always worn glasses when fencing as well. While my lenses have never fogged up, I do find that when sweating it runs often to my nose resulting in my glasses slipping downwards. That can be irritating. Adding a headband corrects that problem, however.

One thing to be careful of, though, is taking the mask on and off. As some people have already complained, depending on the design of your glasses it can be quite difficult. Worse, if you whip your mask off quickly, or just get it caught you can easily break your glasses.


Cheers,

Dragoneye.

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"Violent delights have violent ends." R&J - WS.

[Gav]

Susan. Never fence with one contact lens in! This is potentially bad for your vision. I've been in this situation and I have had to ditch the extra contact lens. It improves your "feel" for the blade no end .

P.S. I used to fence without contact lenses or glasses (ahh the vanity of youth!)

[This message has been edited by Gav (edited 12-07-2000).]

[FencingQueen4]

Thanks you guys for all your help! I really don't like having glasses and everything ;_; But I'm really excited because I'm starting my lessons in about 1-2 weeks!! *-*

[Zelda]

glasses/contacts I use both, though due to my astigmatism glasses are better. Doesnt really make a difference.

[Fleche]

I fence without my glasses, and I'm not comfortable with contacts, but my vision is not too bad, so there's really no problem. I don't like to wear my glasses because I have trouble putting my mask on. Other people in my club wear glasses though. One problem with not wearing glasses or contacts is that you have to go hunt for them when someone asks you to preside!!

[Gav]

I used to fence without glasses (back in the days when I had too much pride). I have to say that it improved my ability to fence with contact no end! However once people knew me and knew I had this disability they tended to be able to take advantage. Nowadays I know better and always fence with contacts (and wear them when I'm out and about).

The bottom line [I think] is that if you have eye problems it's best to get them fixed. I live in Edinburgh (Scotland) and when I put the contacts in I finally realised how beatiful a city it realy is!