A revolutionary game changer in sport?
Night lenses | A revolutionary game changer in sport?
Let’s dive into a thought-provoking discussion from nightlenses.com as we explore the significant impact of night lenses on sports enthusiasts. The question at hand is quite intriguing:
Q: “Why would anyone with nearsightedness under -5.00D, competing at the pinnacle of sports, continue to rely on glasses or contact lenses for vision when they could embrace the complete freedom provided by night lenses?”
And if the response is simply “There’s no logical reason,” coupled with a universally acknowledged enhancement in high-level performance, then perhaps night lenses are, indeed, a game-changer in the realm of sports.
So, what exactly are night lenses? Night lenses are tailor-made contact lenses designed for nighttime wear. As you slumber, they gently correct your eyes through a process called Orthokeratology (also known as ‘Ortho-K lenses’). Upon waking, you experience flawless vision, eliminating the need for eyeglasses or daytime lenses throughout the day. This effect naturally fades after 24 hours, prompting users to repeat the process as part of their daily routine, akin to wearing daytime lenses. Athletes, including those in the sports scene, have been benefiting from night lenses for approximately two decades. With recent advancements and more optometrists offering them in the US, night lenses have emerged as an exciting and innovative eyecare solution garnering widespread attention.
So, do night lenses possess the potential to usher in a revolutionary transformation in the sports arena?
We turned to a couple of night lens wearers to hear their perspectives:
Catriona Morrison, a multi-time world champion in Duathlon, a bronze medalist at the World Championship in long-distance Triathlon, and an Ironman champion…
A: “Without a doubt, a direct correlation exists. In sports involving sweating, face-touching, or eye-rubbing, wearing contact lenses carries the risk of dislodging them – a constant concern. Sports glasses can become sweaty, fogged, or smudged, introducing further distractions. In pursuit of top-tier performance, every potential issue must be addressed. Had I worried about goggles slipping during swimming or lenses shifting mid-race, my athletic journey would have been drastically different. Now, it’s as simple as inserting and removing one lens. That’s it. No eye-related worries during the day or a race. Why leave anything to chance? So much during a competition is beyond control – why not seize control where possible?”
Q: “How have night lenses influenced your sports journey?”
A: “It’s been revolutionary. All the inconveniences vanished. The value of normal vision becomes apparent only when you experience it! Each morning, I wake up free of concerns. I don’t even perceive myself as having any vision challenges anymore. It’s truly remarkable.”
Dr. Euan Speirits, an Elite 4X and Downhill Mountain Bike Racer who also uses night lenses…
A: “Absolutely, no doubt about it. They’re poised to bring about a significant revolution in both sports and daily life for individuals dependent on eyeglasses or daytime lenses, who can transition to night lenses. The bottom line is, my journey wouldn’t be where it stands if I stuck to regular contact lenses. Achieving mountain biking milestones wouldn’t have been conceivable without the liberation granted by night lenses. I can’t emphasize enough how strongly I recommend them. Anyone who’s used day lenses has encountered the discomfort or lens movement leading to irritation. In high-performance sports, being free from those worries is a game-changer. Your vision is crystal clear, no compromises. I’m genuinely surprised that more people haven’t embraced them.”
Q: “How has adopting night lenses impacted your sports performance?”
A: “It’s truly transformed it. I can engage in a full day of competition without being hindered by dry eyes from contact lenses. My daily life proceeds without concerns about lenses drying out or falling off, especially during activities like paddleboarding. Night lenses have genuinely normalized my life.”
In a sports world where the distinction between victory and second place hinges on fractions of seconds or millimeters, achieving peak performance demands meticulous optimization. Both Catriona and Euan, alongside other high-level athletes embracing night lenses, unanimously assert that reaching the pinnacle of performance necessitates “flawless sight,” attained without anything obstructing their vision or adorning their face – a rationale choice.
Can night lenses potentially nurture our pipeline of future champions?
It’s remarkable how numerous stories recount adults forsaking their sports aspirations due to compromised eyesight once they required glasses or contacts. When corrective eyewear became a necessity, their dreams were relinquished. We engaged with 17-year-old Oisin McVeigh, an aspiring rugby union player dedicated to excelling in his beloved sport. He stands at the juncture where pivotal decisions shape his path:
A: “Sports have significantly become more manageable for me. In rugby, keen observation and a clear view of on-field actions are crucial. Previously, I struggled to see across the pitch or even recognize players. Enhanced vision will undeniably elevate my performance. To progress, I needed either lenses or sports glasses. However, the notion of dealing with the inconveniences they bring – a lost lens or dirt during a match – dissuaded me. Night lenses provide the ideal solution.”
Behind every accomplished young athlete often stand supportive parents who wield profound influence in shaping decisions about their child’s journey. We spoke with Osh’s mother, Grainne, to delve into her perspective:
Q: “Grainne, how did Osh come to embrace night lenses?”
A: “Osh is a gifted rugby player, yet he avoided glasses or lenses during matches, despite the evident challenge posed by compromised vision. Enhancing his performance necessitated a solution for his sight. However, he held reservations about lenses falling out or getting dirty on the field, making them unappealing. Sports glasses weren’t preferable either. By chance, we discovered night lenses and found the concept intriguing – a lens that enhances eyesight while you sleep? We delved deeper, and here we are!”
Q: “Why is Osh’s use of night lenses significant to you as a parent?”
A: “Two aspects hold paramount importance. First, stabilizing his eyesight [Editor’s note: night lenses can stabilize myopia in children]. With my vision at -13, I understand the struggles of impaired sight. In my youth, I was a passionate swimmer, but I had to abandon the sport entirely. Goggles didn’t fully resolve the issue. Water activities, like water-skiing, became a thing of the past. Second, providing him with options and opportunities. This opens up a realm of possibilities for Osh, and that’s truly fantastic. He won’t need to relinquish activities due to vision constraints imposed by day lenses or glasses. For his rugby, this is the most precious gift we can offer as parents.”
If we can reduce the number of young talents abandoning sports due to eyeglasses or daytime lenses impeding them, or if we can empower more myopic youngsters to excel further and faster in their sports by bestowing improved vision at this crucial juncture, our talent pool and developmental pipeline in the UK are poised to reap the rewards. Are night lenses an innovative game-changer that will embolden a fraction of our promising elite athletes to shatter barriers? Can they propel a portion of the approximately 1.5 million short-sighted individuals aged 8 to 18 in the UK to shine in amateur or professional sports? The answer is a resounding yes.
If you’re involved in professional or high amateur sports and find this article intriguing enough to seek more information, consult your optician about night lenses. If your optician doesn’t offer night lenses, you can locate a fitting specialist in your vicinity here: CLICK HERE to insert your postcode into our interactive google map
But let’s delve deeper – how exactly do night lenses function?
CLICK HERE for an engaging and straightforward animation that explains the process.
CLICK HERE to read/watch testimonials by others that have experiences with night lenses.
Article author
This article has been authored by Tom Griffiths, the Managing Director of Scotlens, a Scotland-based custom-fit contact lens manufacturer specializing in night lenses since 2003. Tom is an entrepreneur and social entrepreneur, and his teenage son’s life underwent a complete transformation thanks to night lenses. This pivotal moment in his son’s life, facilitated by a ‘night lens’ – a term he had never encountered or been offered by an optician – spurred Tom into action. Driven by his fervor for the advantages of night lenses and his determination to spread awareness, Tom eventually became part of the company. He currently serves as an advocate for night lenses and as a Myopia Control Awareness advocate for children and their parents.
For those interested in getting in touch with Tom, CLICK HERE if you’re a sports coach, organization, association, or media representative.
To witness Tom’s inspiration – his 16-year-old son, an avid surfer whose pursuits are made possible by night lenses – and to hear his family’s transformative story, CLICK HERE.
Related Posts
