Category
Eye Care
VSP Contributor, 10 Mar 2015

Why You Should Consider Wearing Contacts If You Play Sports

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Do you actively participate in sports? Do you currently wear glasses? Are you thinking about switching to contacts? If you answered YES to these questions, then you have probably experienced breaking, bending or loosing glasses and know what it’s like to be without sufficient eyewear.

You are not alone. Vision Council of America claims that over 75% of adult Americans use some form of correctional eyewear. Of that percentage, more than 64% wear glasses.

Advantages To Contact Lenses

While glasses may be the ideal form of eyewear for some, those who frequently participate in sports should consider switching to contact lenses, and here are five reasons why.

1) Contacts greatly increase your peripheral vision and allow for an uninterrupted field of view.

2) There is a significantly lesser chance of contacts fogging.

3) Snow, rain and other splattering substances are less likely to obstruct vision.

4) Contacts greatly enhance comfort when wearing safety equipment like goggles, masks, helmets and more.

5) Contacts are less likely to be broken or lost.

Choosing Contact Lenses

Though there are several different brands and types of contacts that are good options for sports, some may be better suited to specific activities than others. Below are five different contact types to consider when making a decision on what lenses are best for your lifestyle.

1) RGP Contacts

RGP contacts, or rigid gas permeable lenses, are an ideal option if you participate in sports. They are proven to fit comfortably and they allow an increased flow of oxygen to reach the eye. However, RGP contacts are hard lenses and often take longer to get used to.

2) Tinted Contacts

For athletes who are frequently outside, consider getting tinted contacts. They filter harmful rays and are guaranteed to improve focus on moving objects like baseballs, soccer balls, golf balls and more.

3) UV Protected Contacts

Contacts that have slight amber and gray-green tints tend to greatly reduce the harmful effects of UV rays. Amber lenses are best for baseball, tennis and soccer and gray-green tints are ideal for sports like running and biking.

4) iGo OVC lenses

Perfected in all water-based sports, OVC lenses allow water athletes to swim safely while maintaining perfect vision. These unique overnight contacts help to reshape the eye’s cornea to improve short-sidedness while you sleep.

5) Silicone Hydrogel Contacts

Made from high-water hydrogel, these super soft contact lenses contain human cell membrane molecules which allow for over 12 hours of moist, comfortable wear.

Caring For Contact Lenses

After making the decision to switch from glasses to contacts, it’s important to follow proper protocol. Read these five easy steps to ensure safety for your eyes.

1) DO NOT

First and foremost, DO NOT try-on someone else’s contacts. If they are not prescribed lenses from a certified doctor, you risk injuring your eye or even worsening your vision. Also, don’t assume your glasses prescription will work for contacts; contacts require specific measurements.

2) DO

DO visit a certified optometrist. Seeing a legitimate eye doctor is beneficial because they have professional tools which they use to help measure your eye, gauge your real eyesight and, through a series of tests, can quickly prescribe the ideal correctional lens information.

3) DO NOT

Though modern technology has drastically enhanced the comforts of contacts, it’s not uncommon for contacts to take some getting used to. Hard materials like the aforementioned RGP lenses are typically more difficult to get used to simply because the thick material can feel obstructive. Give your contacts some time and DO NOT give up immediately.

Furthermore, if your child decides to wear contacts, its best to avoid hard lenses. They can be difficult for beginners to handle and the comfort level is typically lowered.

4) DO

DO consider vision insurance. VSP Direct is a leader in the high-quality eye wear and eye care industry. Vision health is not only important for your eyesight but it can also lead to an overall better quality of life. Family vision insurance is a great option if you and your family members are one of the 75% of Americans with poor eyesight.

5) DO NOT

DO NOT hesitate. Visit www.VSPdirect.com TODAY for all of your vision health needs. With everything from steep savings on eye exams, to coverage on top-quality lenses, to a competitive allowance for glasses or contacts, VSP Direct is perfect for you, perfect for your kids, and perfect for your family.