Sergeant R is a Sergeant in Birmingham’s City Centre police team. He’s a long term night lens wearer and we thought we’d catch up to chat about how his career with the force has been different since he switched to night lenses – it’s a tale of mud, CS, IMAX and melted glasses frames! It’s meant to be a 60 second interview, but it was so good and useful to police officers, that we kept going ????
Sergeant R, thank you for sharing your insights. Let’s break it down. You’ve been wearing night lenses for about 12 years. What were you using before?
Originally, I lived in denial and avoided glasses until university. In my twenties, I started with monthly contact lenses.
How have night lenses changed your job?
I’ve been on the front line in challenging areas, and glasses were prone to falling off at the worst times. After a knock, my glasses’ arms once deformed from melting due to heat! Contacts were better but brought their issues, especially dry eyes. Losing one or having it slip out, wiping one out accidentally – and policing isn’t the cleanest job. Reinserting one on the fly in some of the places we end up? Asking for trouble.
Any examples of situations where you’re glad you had no contact lenses?
Especially with the use of PAVA/CS.
Deploying PAVA/CS – any concerns about what it might do to your lenses?
It’s a miserable experience. PAVA seems to prolong and increase the effects of CS. Thankfully, transitioning to PAVA, I only used night lenses. PAVA leaves me feeling very sorry for myself even with night lenses – it would be worse with contacts.
Any situation you recall where lenses would have been invaluable?
On a week-long exercise with the Territorial Army, sleeping in muddy ditches, managing contact lenses was tough. Glasses were an inconvenience, adding a layer to personal admin.
How has it helped in your home life not having glasses or contacts?
It’s great. I don’t even own glasses anymore. No barriers to swimming, working out, driving – it’s as if you have no sight issues. Literally, the only inconvenience is dealing with solution when traveling. Without lenses, I have above 20:20 vision, even higher with them – beneficial for activities like going to an IMAX cinema.
What is easier and better in your life because of night lenses?
It’s like not wearing glasses or contacts. Pop them in before bed, take them out in the morning – about 60 seconds of my day. Occasionally, I don’t wear them for a day or two, and I don’t note much loss of vision.
Have you thought about laser eye surgery?
I discovered night lenses when exploring laser options. While my partner had laser surgery, dealing with dry eyes and inconveniences made me reconsider.
Does using night lenses save you from having laser surgery?
Never say never, but currently, I don’t think it’s worth it.
Is the concept of wearing a day lens a bit weird to you now?
I can’t see why people wouldn’t opt for night lenses.
Are you amazed that people still don’t know about night lenses or think they’re voodoo magic?
I do get looks of disbelief, especially when explaining it in my layman way.
In your opinion, is it safer for officers to use night lenses than day lenses or glasses?
Absolutely safer. Six-monthly eye appointments ensure the lenses are correcting appropriately, providing regular checks for abnormalities.
Why recommend night lenses to other officers?
I’d turn that around and say, ‘Why wouldn’t I?’
USEFUL LINKS