As the London Olympics approach many of us are finding a new focus for our sporting activities, while others may have simply been encouraged to try out a new sport for the first time. In times past, the need to wear prescription glasses could be something of a barrier to taking part in many sports, what with the difficulty of keeping the spectacles in place, and the risk of breaking both lenses and frames (which could be both costly and a potential health hazard). Just as the modern Olympics of the last few decades have been characterised by a synergy of technological development with the physical requirements of athletes, modern sports glasses and swimming glasses have now developed to the point where those that prefer to wear glasses rather than contacts have a real choice in the matter when it comes to taking part in sports. Here we will look at the modern sports glasses and swimming glasses that can do the job for those that find contact lenses impractical or uncomfortable.
Modern polymers can now allow the construction of sports glasses that are practically unbreakable. Bendable frames house shatter proof lenses that are capable of absorbing the worst punishment that can be encountered in rugged outdoor sports like cycling, skiing or as safety glasses. While these lenses will not break on impact, preventing damage to your eyes, they are also scratch resistant, providing some degree of protection for your wallet!
Clear, smoked and tinted sports glasses can also provide vital UV protection for the eyes, something which is important when engaged in any outdoor activity over a prolonged period. While this is desirable when playing fairly lengthy games like golf, UV protection is an absolute necessity when it comes to the more extreme, high UV levels that can be encountered when skiing or mountaineering. Smoked lenses can also help shield the eyes from glare in strong sunlight, preventing the need the squint, while yellow tinted lenses provide the best clarity of vision in fog and other low light conditions.
Prescription swimming goggles offer the chance to rapidly take to the water and enjoy the same vision correction that spectacles provide, and are commonly available in powers between + 8.00 and – 8.00. Just like sports glasses, these swimming glasses can come with an anti-glare, vision enhancing tint, anti-fog and provide full UV protection.
