Oisin McVeigh

Night lenses changed my life | Oisin McVeigh

Today, we have 17-year-old Oisin McVeigh, affectionately known as Osh, and his mum Grainne with us. Osh is a talented young rugby player based in Scotland. Unfortunately, his eyesight was deteriorating, impacting his rugby potential. Fortunately, his mum explored options and discovered night lenses. Let’s hear what they have to say.

Q: Osh, what was it like for you on the first day without anything in your eyes?

A: It was quite an unusual experience. I could see the shampoo bottle across the room without my glasses! It felt strange, almost surreal.

Q: Now that you’re living without glasses, how has life changed for you?

A: It’s been a positive change. I don’t have to worry about glasses slipping off, getting lost, or breaking. Especially during the COVID era with masks, not needing glasses has been a relief.

Q: Being a rugby player, how has this change affected your sports performance, and how do you think it will impact your future in rugby?

A: It’s made all the difference in sports. Rugby demands keen observation to understand what’s happening on the field. Previously, it was tough to see across the pitch or recognize the players. Having clear vision is invaluable, and it will undoubtedly enhance my game significantly. To improve, I needed either lenses or sports glasses, but I wasn’t keen on the hassle of dealing with them, like the risk of losing a lens or getting dirt in my lens during a match. Night lenses have been the perfect solution.

Q: How has the adjustment to night lenses been for you, inserting and removing them, for example?

A: Initially, it was a bit irritating for the first few days, like any new thing you’re trying to figure out. But then it became effortless. I thought it would be challenging, but it’s not at all. Now, I don’t even think about it.

Q: What did your friends think? Did they even notice your glasses were gone?

A: Surprisingly, most of my friends didn’t even notice that my glasses were gone! They find it a bit strange, not quite understanding it. However, I do have a few friends at school and teammates who are now looking into it.

Q: I hear you’re also into coastal rowing. Have the night lenses made a difference in that aspect of your life?

A: Yes, I enjoy coastal rowing in big skiffs offshore. My eyesight never really affected my rowing, but now it’s lovely to be able to see everything around me clearly.

Q: Would you recommend night lenses to other rugby players, athletes, and teenagers like yourself?

A: Absolutely, I would highly recommend these lenses to my friends because they have made a tremendously positive impact on me!

A: Osh is a talented rugby player, but he wasn’t wearing glasses or lenses while playing, and we couldn’t understand how he could perform without proper vision. To enhance his vision, we explored various options. He was hesitant about wearing lenses specifically for sports due to concerns like them falling out or getting muddy during games. Sports glasses weren’t appealing to him either. We came across night lenses almost randomly, and the concept sounded unusual and almost unbelievable – lenses that transform your eyesight while you sleep. We researched them and here we are!

Q: Night lenses are often misunderstood. How have your family and friends reacted to Osh using them?

A: Well, there’s an amusing story here! Osh received his lenses on April 1st. I messaged my sisters, who all have vision issues, saying, “Look at these lenses, they’re fantastic. He sleeps in them and wakes up with perfect vision…” They all thought it was an April Fool’s joke and didn’t respond. Now that they know it’s real, they find them amazing.

Q: As a parent, why was it essential for you to put Osh in night lenses?

A: Two things matter most to me as a parent. First, it’s about stabilizing his eyesight. My eyesight is -13, so I understand how debilitating poor eyesight can be. When I was young, I loved swimming but gave it up because of my eyesight. I tried goggles, but they didn’t quite do the trick. I was passionate about water sports like water skiing but had to give it all up. Second, it’s about providing Osh with choices and opportunities. These lenses have opened up a world of possibilities for him, and that’s fantastic. I want to ensure he never has to give up things due to poor eyesight or because glasses or day lenses hold him back. Hopefully, in his rugby career, this will be the best thing we could have given him as parents.

[Editor’s note – Osh was polite, articulate, and a fantastic young lad – so great eyesight isn’t the only amazing thing you’ve given him, Grainne!]