is it better to wear glasses or contact lens while karting?
is there any rules not allowing glasses to be worn during races?

No rules against wearing glasses - I did for a long time and a few guys still do. I could never wear contacts so I can't compare them but wearing glasses is a pain - easy to fog up, get dirty etc. I had my eyes lasered 3 years ago and it makes a BIG difference

I remember Villeneuve wore glasses at least during part of his first year in F1. No rules against it but I think usually your license will say "must wear glasses/contact lenses" or something like that.

John - my dad also did the laser thing and loved it as well.

This Laser thing is it a upgrade or repair thingy? I'm confuse

I think it upgrades your eyes from a Spyker-Ferrari to a Ferrari-Ferrari. Laser-surgery done on your eyes reshapes the cornea somehow giving you more focusing power or something like that. It won't give an almost blind person 20/20 eye-sight but it does let a lot of people get rid of their glasses/contacts.

Oh tho its upgrades seeing distance. But extra focusing power sound like a tenth or 2. hmmm
Ferrari-Ferrari sound tempting to get it done.

Mikko you 1st, then post a review for us..

I used to wear glasses and found that a pain to wear it AFTER putting on the helmet and the whole grid waiting for u.....it was a club race only.

THen I broke my glasses one fine day....cos was trying to wear it thru my small port helmet.

Now, am on contacts and never regretted it......dust can be a problem but only if u forget to close the visor completely! LOL.

Abt ur medical requiring it to state glasses or not - I asked the Medical Doctor who did my medic and he said...no need!

Glasses has it own draw backs. Sometimes if the helmet is fitted on perfectly onto your head, the glass will have some trouble fitting.

The main problem is that when you hit the kerbs, your glasses will shake and give you a jumping image for a spilt second. Other than that it is fine.

But it is much better to either wear contacts or save up for a laser operation. It is extremely safe with close to 0.001% Chance of anything going wrong. Its a little costly, but it is worth every penny.

i am a bit too young to laser operation.
you have to be at least 18 years old. i am only 16!

I have -2.00 diopter. Personally I always use contact lens (I wear it everyday), but it has some drawbacks, sometimes if you get dust or some particle (or even oil breathe) blowing from the track, it can get irritated and make you lose vital concentration (oh! you can't scratch the eyes for sure since you wear the helmet), I can't wear glasses because it presses on my face so hard that it scratches my face!

Also that you can't open the visor since the wind and dust are too strong, just a very small gap to have some more fresh air. (I heard a story that someone wore the lens and it got blew away when he opened the visor)

I remember that Sebastian Bourdais wear frameless Oakley correcting glasses, wonder if they can withstand the forces in event of unexpected things happened!

lenses is the way to go. Glasses are a huge no no.

Imagine this, you are pushing your kart as fast as possible and will definitely have to run over the kerbs. The vibration will send your glasses jerking up and you will lose clarity on the track which in turn causes you to lose concentration for maybe a fraction of a section, which in turn affects your reaction, which in turn results in slower times. you wouldnt want that.

But then again, make sure you get the right brand of lenses especially with recent reports on corrupted lenses manufacturers.

Honestly, i would suggest you get a pair of disposable lenses just for racing. It doesnt cost alot also. And change back into your glasses at the end of your practice/races. In this way, you will get to clock fast times, and also maintain your retina in good condition. best of both worlds!

Yes, lenses are good but only if they fit u well too. Dry eyes are common to many and can blur ur vision too.

By the way - glasses are not that bad and if u can choose one which seats well and dun move about.....why not. Look at Villeneuve - surely if they can take F1 one G force and speeds, karting will be of no issue.

Last of all, removing lenses mid race as ur suggestion is courting trouble cos I am sure come race day - my hands are filthy due to working on kart.....maybe u dun need to but I am a budget racer....he he

So I wear my contacts the entire day.....

yeah, good point pointed out regarding the dryness of eyes and dirtying of hands. But i was referring to changing out of your lenses after all your races.