Playing Sports While Wearing Glasses

Staying active as an adult is a great way to preserve your physical, emotional, and mental health. However, it is easier said than done. The truth is that millions of adults struggle to make physical activity a part of their weekly schedule. One of the easiest ways to address this issue is to take part in an organized sport. Let’s look at how safe playing sports while wearing glasses may prove.

Whether it’s a town-wide softball league or a bi-weekly tennis match-up, taking part in organized sports makes it easier for adults to stick with their commitment to living an active lifestyle. Unfortunately, wearing corrective lenses can make organized sports more difficult and potentially dangerous for the wearer. 

The Risk of Wearing Glasses While Playing the Game

Unfortunately, most people have to be able to see while playing a sport. It’s a non-negotiable part of the experience for the seeing community who rely heavily on visual information. As a result, an entire industry has developed to help people with impaired vision maintain an active lifestyle despite the difficulties created by corrective lenses. There are countless straps and slip-resistant strips that claim to keep your glasses from moving during strenuous physical activity. Sadly, their efficacy is limited at best. 

There are also entire catalogs of protective goggles specifically designed with particular sports in mind. Data does show that they can decrease the risk of serious injury. However, they can severely limit peripheral vision, make it difficult to adjust your corrective lenses on the fly, and you will likely have to own more than one pair if you participate in a range of activities. They exist with the best of intentions, but they simply aren’t practical for many people. 

At the end of the day, if you really enjoy the game, then there are only two options: contacts or Orange County Lasik eye surgery.

Considering Contacts

Wearing contact lenses is a great solution for many people, but there are downsides that you should consider before making the change. Despite their widespread use, contact lenses are not for everyone. Patients with more exaggerated astigmatism may struggle to find lenses that fit comfortably. Others experience heightened sensitivity to contact lenses, making them entirely unwearable. Even in the best-case scenario, there will be times that your contact lenses will malfunction, and you will face further complications the longer you use them. 

It may seem inconsequential if you have never worn contacts, but a slight malfunction is actually a really big deal. The tiniest fold or tear can cause extreme pain for the wearer. As a result, any sudden onset of irritation requires immediate attention to prevent damage to the eye and to reduce the risk of infection. Fortunately, it usually doesn’t take long to remove the faulty contact, but your eye may be red and swollen for 20-30 minutes afterward. You won’t replace the contact during that time, meaning that you will lose out on valuable game time. The truth is that Lasik eye surgery remains the best long-term solution for patients who want to maximize their athletic experience. 

Looking to Lasik

Lasik eye surgery is the only way to achieve “normal” eyesight without the use of corrective lenses. At Advanced Eye Medical, the doctors specialize in blade-free Lasik, which allows them to perform the procedure with superior precision. By using a laser to cut the necessary flap and adjust the curvature of the cornea, the doctors at Advanced Eye Medical will make it so that you won’t have to worry about your corrective lenses ever again. Your days of packing a separate bag with eyeglass straps, expensive goggles, and contact solution are over. All you have to do is play the game.