Euan Speirits – Surgeon
NIGHT LENSES TRANSFORMED MY LIFE | Euan Speirits
Dr. Euan Speirits, a distinguished Scottish surgeon specializing in Orthopaedics, Sports Medicine, and Biomechanical Research, brings a unique blend of medical expertise and athletic prowess to the forefront. Alongside his roles as an Orthopaedic Research Fellow, Registrar, and Ph.D. student, Dr. Speirits is an avid advocate for Sports Medicine, passionately engaged in Strength/Conditioning training and Athlete Wellbeing. Beyond his professional commitments, he thrives as an Elite 4X and Downhill Mountain Bike Racer, earning recognition as the Scottish Mountain Biking ‘Hero of the Year’ in 2017. He also spearheads the #4XWEDNESDAYS charity initiative and boasts an impressive background in international-level tennis and British Premier Basketball. Currently embarking on a secondment in New Zealand – his cherished outdoor haven – Dr. Speirits immerses himself in mountain biking and outdoor pursuits. A staunch supporter of night lenses, we managed to secure a virtual conversation with this exceptional individual, offering deeper insights into his experiences.
Q: Greetings, Dr. Euan! After a bit of online exploration, it’s evident you’re a remarkable doctor with specialized skills in Orthopaedics, sports medicine, and Biomechanical Research. Alongside these achievements, you excel in mountain biking and display prowess in tennis and basketball – is there any challenge you can’t conquer? Is pushing life’s boundaries a defining philosophy for you?
A: I firmly believe that one can excel in any pursuit they are genuinely passionate about. My passions span diverse areas, encompassing both sports and academia. These facets have significantly shaped my life. From a young age, I’ve embraced both athletic and intellectual endeavors. Balancing these realms has always been a cornerstone of my journey. While people often limit themselves to specific roles, I’ve held onto the notion that “the world was invented by someone no smarter than you.” This outlook propels me to strive for excellence in both surgical practice and sporting pursuits.
Q: How long have you been using night lenses, and what prompted you to explore them?
A: I’ve embraced night lenses for approximately 3 to 4 years. Scott Brown, an optician who shares my passion for mountain biking, introduced me to these lenses. At that time, I was using monthly lenses. However, engaging in mountain biking while wearing monthlies posed challenges – they tended to dry out quickly and lose effectiveness when exposed to mud. The recurring discomfort became tiresome. Even daily lenses couldn’t address the swift drying issue. Additionally, during surgical procedures, extended exposure to bright operating lights would cause severe dryness in my eyes. Interestingly, despite my medical background and athletic involvement, I had never encountered night lenses. While I had contemplated laser eye surgery, concerns regarding cost and permanence deterred me. Night lenses presented an appealing solution without the permanence factor.
Q: How have night lenses impacted your sports activities?
A: They have genuinely revolutionized my sporting experience. Competing throughout the day without the distraction of dry eyes is now achievable. In daily life, concerns about contact lens dryness or the risk of losing them during paddleboarding no longer persist. Night lenses have normalized and enhanced every aspect of my life.
Q: Have they also proven beneficial in your professional domain?
A: Absolutely. They’ve enabled me to focus on tasks without being preoccupied by dry eyes or potential discomfort. During surgical procedures, where I may operate for several hours under intense lights and pressure, night lenses alleviate one source of concern. Even during work shifts, a few hours of lens wear ensures satisfactory vision throughout the day. The process of putting them in and taking them out for brief intervals is not a hindrance.
A: They’ve granted me liberation. I’m now free from constant considerations of contact lenses and vision-related worries. Similarly, the burden of carrying glasses at all times is no longer present. Given my deeply outdoorsy lifestyle, often involving water activities at beaches, lakes, and oceans, I no longer need to deliberate over clear sight or water interactions – that decision is no longer a dilemma. The only times I need to address my eyesight are right before sleep and upon waking up.
Q: Would you ever contemplate reverting to daytime lenses?
A: Absolutely not. There was one week when I inadvertently went without them… and it was a trying experience! Instantly, all the reasons I disliked daytime lenses resurfaced – the rapid dryness, the continual calculation of wear time, orchestrating breaks for my eyes, safeguarding them during biking. I felt a profound sense of appreciation when I resumed wearing them.
Q: To conclude with the inevitable query – would you recommend night lenses to fellow athletes, both professional and amateur? And what motivates this recommendation?
A: I couldn’t offer a stronger recommendation. Anyone who has ever worn daytime lenses understands the discomfort of lens shifting within the eye and the subsequent unease. The assurance of evading such issues during high-performance sports is a game-changer. There’s no disparity between what you see and how you perceive it. No compromises. Your vision becomes unequivocally yours. It surprises me that these lenses aren’t more widely embraced, primarily due to limited awareness.
Q: Could night lenses herald a transformative era for athletes relying on glasses or daytime lenses?
A: It’s not merely a possibility; it’s an absolute certainty. They are unequivocally poised to revolutionize both sports and everyday life for glasses and daytime lens wearers fortunate enough to adopt them. When people inquire about my experience and recognize how night lenses have revolutionized my athletic pursuits, they quickly grasp the advantages of competing without the encumbrance of contacts or glasses. The primary challenge lies in the notion that they sound “too good to be true” and are often shrouded in misconceptions. The underlying concept of orthokeratology, a natural process, is at play. Your cornea naturally sheds its outer cells every night, much like your skin. This benign process reshapes the cornea to lens form during slumber, resulting in flawless vision. The procedure is as thin as a single cell layer. It’s a straightforward process! This natural reversion takes place over 24 hours, requiring repetition. Individuals should delve into this option. Ultimately, the freedom offered by night lenses has been instrumental in my significant achievements in mountain biking. There’s no doubt. Seriously, explore this avenue!
[Editor’s note – encountering someone as inspirational as Dr. Euan can occasionally leave you feeling humbled! Euan has embraced life to its fullest extent… I thoroughly enjoyed this interview, and his real-life persona aligns perfectly with his online presence. His insights into how night lenses liberated his athletic journey resonate with Catriona Morrison MBE, World Duathlon Champion – her thoughts on how night lenses revolutionized her sporting odyssey can be found HERE.]