Good vision: Matej Mohorič: "I stay focussed and have better reflexes in the race"

TOUR: When did you first realise that your eyesight played a role in cycling - and how did you deal with it at the time?

Matej Mohorič: I actually first noticed that my vision was no longer perfect when I was driving at night, especially when it was raining and I was tired. Soon after, I noticed the same thing when cycling, especially in low light conditions, for example when riding through a forest or in bad weather. I went to the doctor and was prescribed glasses. My visual impairment wasn't particularly severe and still isn't, so I initially thought that I didn't need glasses for cycling. They were more for looking at screens at night and for driving.

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What visual aids or strategies did you try in the beginning?

I never really tried anything as I didn't think it would make much difference and my visual impairment isn't huge, about -0.75 dioptres at most. Then one day I was approached by Rudy Project about it, and when I got my new glasses in 2020, everything changed.

Was there a familiarisation phase when you started riding with prescription cycling glasses?

I don't think my prescription glasses are much heavier than the standard model and they look very similar. My experience has been very positive, I've hardly had any problems. Since I've been using them, I've noticed that I don't have to strain as much to see clearly. My driving experience is much better as my eyes are less tired and I am more relaxed.

Are your cycling glasses a model with varifocal lenses, i.e. with different vision ranges for near and far vision?

I actually only have problems with distance vision, so I only use a correction for that and have no experience with progressive lenses.

Conditions change constantly during the race: Sun, rain, forest passages, tunnels. Are your goggles specially adapted for such situations - with a specific tint or anti-fog coating?

Yes, I always use an anti-fog coating in cold and rainy weather. I also almost always use photochromic lenses, except in very strong sunlight in summer, for which I have a tinted, corrected model.

Would you say that consistently good visibility during a race also helps you to stay focussed and tire less quickly?

Yes, I didn't realise it before I tried my prescription glasses, but they have really made a big difference. I stay focussed and alert, my eyes don't get tired anymore and I have better reflexes when racing, especially in low light or when the light conditions change, when changing from an open road to a forest or when entering and exiting tunnels.