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 

Preparing for the Easter get-away.

The Easter bank holiday is nearly upon us and millions of motorists are preparing to travel in the UK. The AA are anticipating as many as 14 million cars on the roads from 22^nd April, especially with the combined Royal Wedding / May Day bank holidays. So if you are shouldering either some or all of the driving responsibility at any stage over the Easter get-away, don’t forget about checking to see if your vision is up to scratch too.

In the hustle and bustle of preparing for your Easter break, remembering your glasses is probably the last thing on your mind. There’s fun to be had, sunshine to enjoy – all too often resulting in starting a journey under prepared. So how can you ensure that you’re safe to drive?

According to the DVLA, all motorists should be able to read a registration plate from 20 metres. Trying this with and without your glasses should be the first stage of assessing whether or not you might need an eye test. If you can’t read the number plate at all, you are not legally allowed to drive. If you could only read the plate with the aid of contact lenses or glasses, you must ensure that they are worn at all times throughout the journey.

Needing to have glasses or contact lenses at all points of the journey means you need to remember to take them with you! Keeping a spare pair in the car for emergencies is just as important as keeping a spare tyre. Have a look for offers at your opticians on buy one get one free for frames, or try low priced frames, such as Tesco Opticians £10 glasses. This way, even if you forget your regular glasses, or they get lost or damaged during the journey, you’re still safe to drive.

If you are at all concerned that your eyesight might not be up to scratch then there’s still time to head down to your local Tesco Opticians. All of our eye tests are free, so even if you’re just a bit uncertain, it won’t cost you anything to check and make sure your eyes are road worthy. As the driver you are responsible not only for your own safety, but also the safety of your passengers, so a quick trip to the opticians can give you peace of mind that your eyes are up to the task ahead.

So while you’re checking oil and water, making sure your tyres are fully inflated and planning the quickest route, just spare a moment to consider the most important component of your journey – the driver’s eyesight. Making time for a test is vital to you and your passenger’s safety, so don’t delay it. Call 0845 601 3479 and book your free sight test today and enjoy your Easter get-away!