Wearing contact lenses can give you a sporting chance.

Sport is a major part of our lives here in Britain, be it playing or watching. Do glasses dictate which sports you play, after all when was the last time you saw a rugby player or footballer on the pitch in specs? Contact lenses are a great solution and not just for the obvious safety reasons.


The British Contact Lens Association suggests several benefits to wearing contact lenses for sports.  You need to consider the visual requirements of the sport you’re wishing to play, for example you will still require sunglasses for skiing or goggles for swimming, but contact lenses could make a real difference. 


So with rugby in mind, how could contacts help players?


Wider field of vision: Contact lenses give you an all round field of vision, free from frames and lenses. Could be quite advantageous when looking for a gap to break through!


No fogging up with rain: If you’re playing sport in Britain the chances are it’ll be raining at some stage, especially as our rugby and football seasons tend to be winter based. Not exactly convenient to have to stop and wipe down your glasses in the middle of a set piece. 


Less susceptible to dirt: Again, the glorious British weather tends to bring with it an abundance of mud on the playing field, so keeping your vision clear is a massive bonus!


Fewer reflection: Reflections on your lenses can seriously inhibit your abilities, but this is significantly reduced with contact lenses.


Cheap and disposable: Damaging your glasses can be costly and let’s face it, they’re probably not going to get through a rugby match in one piece!


Professional sportsmen seem to have taken this advice on board, with the likes of England’s Rugby Union player Lewis Moody and Scotland’s Max Evans, openly talking about wearing contacts during matches. They haven’t let poor vision stop them becoming top of their game, using contact lenses to help them both on and off the pitch. 


If the thought of changing permanently to contact lenses isn’t for you, there are contact lenses options you can use just for sports or one off occasions, meaning you don’t have to ditch the frames completely. Daily disposable lenses are perfect for just that – up to 12hr contacts which are thrown away after use. 


So don’t let your eyesight inhibit your success in sport. It’s not just rugby where contact lenses can help you, but many other sports such as football, boxing, cricket, to name just a few. There are lots of options surrounding contact lenses and the different types available, so make sure you carefully consider what you need them for and match the lens to your requirements. 


If you’re new to contact lenses ask your optician about daily disposables at your next appointment or book a contact lens assessment on 0845 601 3479 to find out more.


British Contact Lens Association 
Johnson & Johnson