Had a yarn with “John” (keeping it hush-hush), 47 years young, who spent a solid 13 years on the frontline with TSG in Northern Ireland. Recently got kitted out with night lenses, and let me tell ya, they’ve turned his life around. Reckons he should’ve snagged ’em sooner, both for the job and the home front. His take? Policing is smoother and safer with night lenses compared to the day ones. Check out the chat with him – full transcript for your eyes right HERE.
Gotta kick off by saying, I bloody wish I knew about these yonks ago! When I stumbled upon them, I couldn’t wrap my head around the fact that I could actually get them. Never had an optometrist clue me in. Since I’ve got ’em, it’s like forgetting I even had dodgy eyesight because there’s no time of the day when I can’t see right. With day lenses, there were moments I had to yank them out and everything went blurry. Now, I’m sorted all day long. It’s unreal not having to think about them – unlike with day lenses, where I was constantly conscious of them. Whether I was on me bike, in the rain, wrangling the kids in the pool, or chilling on the beach – always mindful and trying not to knock ’em out.
Feeling liberated now? Noticed any changes in your life? I recall you mentioning a whole new world when it came to swimming?
That’s the game-changer. I used to avoid swimming simply because my vision was wonky without lenses. It’s a real pain. Anyone in specs knows the deal – it’s like you’re not wearing anything, and it’s frustrating when things aren’t crystal clear. In the past 3 months, I’ve probably swum more than in the last decade. Putting it in perspective, it’s like the first time I wore glasses and marveled at the clarity – the same feeling I got when I hit the pool after starting with night lenses and could see everything underwater with my goggles. It’s like unlocking a whole new world!
Tell us a bit about your police gig.
Up until recently, I clocked 13 years with TSG in Northern Ireland.
So, a real hands-on role. Reflecting on it, what’s the difference now? What situations made day lenses a hassle, and if you could turn back time with night lenses, what would you skip?
TSG means front line action, with early and late shifts. Public order, riots, Saturday night chaos in the city, house and building searches – you name it. One of my gigs was CBRN, suited up in the big gear. When doing searches, which was a big chunk of the job, in dusty or loft spaces, especially those with felt, it was a breeze to get stuff in your eye or contact lenses. Always on high alert, even with the goggles they gave us, couldn’t keep out the grit and dust. Wiping your eye, feeling discomfort in your lens – a common scenario. Soft lenses I used to wear gave me excruciating pain if knocked out of place, and in the middle of an operation, you can’t afford that. It happened a couple of times when I was driving at night – eyes got dry, wiped ’em, knocked them out while driving – the worst time for it.
And when things got rowdy? Any worries with your day lenses on the job, and looking back, how would night lenses have changed the game?
Peace of mind, mate. Always aware I had lenses in, even after 25 years of wearing them. Hoping desperately not to get them knocked out, whether in a punch-up or just a scuffle – even in the rain, always a concern. If I had these night lenses, it’d be peace of mind, forget you’re even wearing them since there’s nothing in your eyes. Just that reassurance when heading out.
Absolutely! Since I got these night lenses, I’ve been hitting the cycling tracks. With the wet weather lately, first ride out, got a splash in the face from the bloke upfront, and my immediate thought was, ‘Don’t want water in my eyes.’ Anyone with soft lenses knows that’s a risky move. Then it hit me – no need to stress about that anymore. Such a relief!
You mentioned when we had a yarn before this chat that you were out on your bike and spotted a bird in the sky, a hawk…?
Yeah, I’ve clocked that my prescription hasn’t changed, but my long-distance vision seems sharper. Like I said earlier, spotted a peregrine falcon from miles away, clarity I probably haven’t had since I was a nipper!
This interview is specifically aimed at reaching out to fellow coppers and emergency workers – why would you throw in a recommendation for night lenses?
Simple, mate. Gives you peace of mind – no worries about a lens getting knocked out, no frets about CS or PAVA, whatever your force dishes out, getting in your eyes. Been there with the CS before. With the CBRN gear, soft lenses are a no-go, so you’re stuck with those awkward vision correction gadgets. No stress about getting eye-jabbed in an assault – it’s all about peace of mind. Just get on with the job without the eye drama. How folks manage with specs in my line of work, I’ll never know. If you can rock these, they’re miles better.
After a bit, night lens wearers start thinking it’s a bit odd shoving a lens in their eye when they wake up – you reached that point yet?
Oh, absolutely. No way I’d ever go back to day lenses. It’s a no-brainer, better in every possible way.
ASK YOUR OPTICIAN ABOUT NIGHT LENSES
Night lenses are only for folks with short sight (myopia) less than -5.00D. If you want the lowdown, just hit up your optometrist about night lenses, and they’ll walk you through the options. If you’re optician-less, click on the ‘Find your nearest fitter’ pic below to locate your closest fit.
USEFUL LINKS
– What’s the deal with night lenses and how do they work?
– Check out other tales of folks whose lives got a shake-up with night lenses
– WATCH this chat on YouTube