Sports glasses to keep you on top of your game

  by Steven Whittaker, Branch Manager of A.J. Spurrett Opticians, Blackburn

There are times when glasses and contact lenses can be somewhat inconvenient, for example the time I had my midlife crisis and returned to “aggressive” inline skating after taking 15 years off. It’s hard to skate in spectacles but without them I can’t see! I’m also unable to wear contact lenses due to my high astigmatism…

So, what do you do? Go in blind, pardon the pun, and hope for the best or just manage with glasses forever falling off your head?

You could, but there are better alternatives…

Yes I’m talking about glasses for sport and recreational activities.

What? Never heard of them? Not many people have.

That’s because it is a massively under-talked about subject. On a daily basis in work I’ll talk about frames, ophthalmic lenses and contact lenses. But rarely do I talk about alternatives and for that, my loyal patients, I am sorry.

The truth is that apart from the usual spectacles and contact lenses an opticians such as ourselves can provide many other optical solutions for a range of recreational activities, these include glasses for cycling, diving, driving, fishing, football, golf, running, shooting, skiing, snooker, swimming, squash and tennis.

And yes, I worked really hard on those being in alphabetical order!

For the majority of these sports the same kind of frames and lens options will be used so I apologise if I repeat myself. However, below I shall try to list the most important things needed to assist your vision whilst enjoying your hobbies.

Above: Oakley display at Valli Opticians Hebden Bridge

Cycling glasses

There is a wide range of frames for cycling available in prescription and non prescription. Ideally these frames should be ordered in the wrap around style so they sit close to your head and you can still wear a helmet. They are also aerodynamic.

Ideally they should have the straight sports grip over the ears and anti-slip pads to reduce movement. For the lenses I would advise, at the very minimum, the polarised anti-fog lens and for those needing a prescription you need to make sure they come with glazeable inserts.

Diving

Ideally you’ll be looking for a full silicone mould for better fit and comfort with a polycarbonate lens to withstand the water pressure. Again, if you require a prescription you will need a make with glazeable inserts.

Fishing

As suggested with the cycling glasses, a wrap around frame style would sit closer to the head and not get in the way of a fishing hat. Also, this type of wrap frame will give you more coverage from the sun.

A polarised lens would be preferable as the filter will eliminate reflections from the water enabling you to see the fish more clearly.

Football

For football, a typical sports frame as mentioned already would suffice, ideally with a sports strap to keep the glasses positioned properly whilst running.

SPX would be the best material for the frame to be made out of as it is lightweight and impact resistant. PNX lenses would also be advised for the same reason.

Be mindful that if you have a higher prescription the curvature of the sports frame may increase the thickness of your lenses.

Golf

For golf I would advise a lightweight frame, ideally impact resistant just in case!

Some golf glasses come with interchangeable coloured lenses for varying light conditions and contrast. If these are not in your budget then, at the very minimum, I would get a polarised lens.

Glazeable inserts again would be advised if you need a correction.

Running

As instructed for football, a lightweight frame is advised ideally with anti slip nose pads and anti-fog lenses.

Glazeable inserts are available, however some sports frames can be glazed the same way as everyday spectacles.

Shooting

A bigger frame would be advised so as to give you a bigger ‘window’ to look through. Again, I would advise shatterproof lenses just in case of recoil.

I would also recommend 100% UVA and UVB light protection filters on the lenses.

Some shooting spectacles come with interchangeable contrast enhancing filters as standard, with these types of frames glazeable inserts would be needed.

Skiing

Ideally, double layered face foam is needed here for comfort. Also check for ‘flow-tec venting’ so your mask doesn’t steam up. 100% UVA and UVB light protection filters are needed or, at the very least, a polarised pair of sunglasses.

Snooker

I’m sure most people see Dennis Taylor when they think of snooker glasses and unbelievably that style is still what’s available!

The reason a bigger lens is used is because when you bend down to take your shot you would look over ‘normal’ sized frames, hence why they’re usually referred to as ‘extended depth’ lenses.

Another thing to look out for is to make sure the frame has a ‘rim adjustable tilt’ if the position of wear needs to be altered when taking a shot.

Swimming

Swim goggles can usually be inexpensive as a lot of the time we’d order them in as modular and build them in practice.

Swim goggles are normally ordered with a ‘best sphere’ prescription in mind so we might not be able to make your exact prescription but we can usually get close enough for you to be able to see underwater as water refracts light differently. I would advise a silicone strap head for better comfort.

Squash/Tennis

SPX frames would be the way to go glazed with PNX or polycarb lenses for durability. Look for a glazeable frame or obviously one with glazeable inserts.

So there we go, a quick rundown on alternative optical solutions with a few tips on what to look for. For any other questions regarding sports frames please call into your local Valli Opticians practice and we’ll be happy to help.

Thanks for reading!