Contact lenses provide several vision and practical advantages for athletes compared to glasses. According to a study published in Acta Scientific Ophthalmology, lenses enhance sports performance in the following ways: first, contacts provide sharper and more natural vision. Contact lenses present objects in sizes consistent with real-world dimensions, resulting in sharper, distortion-free vision.
Contacts also boast improved peripheral vision. More specifically, contact lenses offer a 15% wider field of vision than glasses, enabling athletes to track fast-moving objects and anticipate movements more effectively. This enhances hand-eye, body, and foot coordination. Finally, contacts offer better visual stability and safety. Unlike glasses, lenses don’t dislodge, fog up, or pose a safety risk during physical impacts.
To capitalise on these benefits, athletes must begin by selecting the right lenses for their vision and performance needs. Among the most popular options are soft contact lenses due to their comfort and flexibility. They’re also available in various types found through trusted online retailers, including dailies such as the 1 Day Acuvue Moist lenses, biweekly Acuvue Oasys lenses, and monthly Biofinity contact lenses. Soft lenses are also remarkably durable. Research from Eye & Contact Lens: Science & Clinical Practice reveals they can withstand forces far greater than what typically causes corneal abrasions, making them suitable for contact sports.
Athletes may also benefit from sport-tinted lenses, such as Altius lenses from Performance Vision Technologies, Inc. (PVTI). According to a company press release, these sports-specific lenses are designed to enhance contrast and reduce glare. Available in amber and grey-green tints, these lenses filter 100% UV and over 99% of blue light, which can reduce eye strain. Per PVTI, amber-tinted lenses are ideal for use during dynamic, reactive sports such as baseball and American football. On the other hand, grey-green lenses can be beneficial for sports in high-contrast lighting like golf and surfing.
