Benjamin Griffiths
Night lenses changed my life | Benjamin Griffiths
Today, we’re talking to 16-year-old Benjamin Griffiths and his mum, Carolyn. Benjamin, based in Northern Ireland, is not only a tech-savvy teenager with four websites under his belt but also a passionate surfer. Benjamin has faced the challenge of high myopia since he was 8 years old, with his eyesight deteriorating rapidly at a rate of -1.00D per year. By the age of 13, he had reached -3.75D and -4.00D. It wasn’t until he turned 14 that his mum stumbled upon night lenses. Before using them, without his glasses, Benjamin couldn’t see much at all, which affected his beloved sports and his overall confidence. Night lenses, however, completely transformed his life. He used to surf by feeling the waves because he couldn’t see them, but now he surfs with ease and enthusiasm.
Q: Benjamin, what was it like for you on the first day without anything in your eyes?
A: It was almost surreal, the best way to describe it. I looked out of the window, and it was like my mind was blown! As we drove to school, I could read the car number plates, which was absolutely awesome.
Q: Now that you’ve had night lenses for a couple of years, what’s life like without glasses? And would you ever consider going back to them?
A: I would never go back to glasses in a million years. The lenses have seamlessly integrated into my life. It feels natural to sleep and let them do their work. I don’t really think about it. The idea of wearing glasses during the day feels a bit strange to me now.
Q: Have you ever considered using daytime lenses now?
A: The thought of inserting lenses into my eyes in the morning and then removing them when I go surfing just seems odd to me. Currently, I head straight to the beach without any worries. I can open my eyes underwater without any issues. I’m not concerned about getting sand in my eyes, which can be a problem for people with regular contact lenses at the beach. Moreover, if a lens fell out or got damaged while I’m at school, I’d be stuck without proper vision for the rest of the day. It just doesn’t make sense. Night lenses are easy; they do their job overnight while I’m asleep, and during the day, I have nothing in my eyes. It’s brilliant.
Q: You’re a surfer. How has surfing changed with night lenses?
A: Oh, it’s been a game-changer for my surfing! In the past, I couldn’t see the waves. My dad had to push me onto them because I couldn’t spot them, so I learned to surf by feeling the waves. I couldn’t see the shore or much around me, which was a bit worrisome when the waves were big and the weather was rough. Now, I can see everything. I love hanging out in the lineup, watching the sea and the world around me. Sometimes, I even spot dolphins and seals. It’s my happy place!
Q: How was the adjustment to night lenses, like putting them in and removing them?
A: In the beginning, it was a little tricky, but you get the hang of it quickly. After a while, it becomes routine. I was worried that I might not like having them in my eyes or that I couldn’t handle putting them in and taking them out, but I got over those concerns quite soon.
Q: What did your friends think? Did they notice that your glasses were gone?
A: Not really. They noticed that something was different about me!
Q: Would you recommend night lenses to other teenagers your age and fellow surfers?
A: Absolutely, I would 100% recommend them. They’re hassle-free. And yes, especially to surfers, because they won’t hold you back in any way.
Q (To Mum, Carolyn): Carolyn, how did Benjamin end up using night lenses?
A: It all began when I was waiting outside his school with other mums, and I was complaining about how many pairs of glasses we had to get for him. He was breaking them regularly while playing football and messing around with friends, and I think we went through about 9 pairs in a year. Another mum, who happened to be an optometrist, mentioned night lenses, something I had never heard of. At that point, I was willing to try anything. I didn’t immediately grasp what they were, but we needed to try something to help him. His eyesight was deteriorating rapidly, which was quite distressing for us. She mentioned that night lenses could also halt this decline, so we decided to give them a shot. It took Benjamin a while to gather the courage to consider putting a lens in his eye, but looking back, the fear was more daunting than the reality.
Q: Night lenses are often misunderstood. How have your family and friends reacted to Benjamin using them?
A: Our family saw a massive transformation in Benjamin right away. He gained noticeable confidence, and everyone was amazed at the change in him. I’m not sure many of his friends and family fully understand what they are, but I’d love more people to know about them, as I’m certain some of his friends could benefit from them. When you describe them to people, they almost sound too good to be true.
Q: Why was it important to you as a parent to put Benjamin into night lenses?
A: It has made an incredible difference in our son’s life. He has experienced more freedom in his water sports, school, games, and outdoor activities with friends, such as paintballing and kneeboarding. He finds it easier to focus in class and now has the freedom to sit at the back and still see the board! It’s wonderful not having to visit the optometrist every month with a broken pair of glasses. I wish I had known about them sooner.
Q: Would you recommend night lenses to other parents?
A: Absolutely, without a doubt!