Ronnie
Night lenses chat | 60 SECONDS with Ronnie aged 81
Currently our oldest known wearer in the UK, this strongly answers the frequently asked question, “Am I too old for night lenses?”
Ronnie, a former stockbroker (and almost a professional soccer player!) from Edinburgh, was one of the first to try contact lenses in the 1960s. In 2006, his optometrist recommended night lenses to free him from daytime contacts, and he hasn’t looked back since. We recently chatted with Ronnie for a quick interview about his experience with night lenses…
Q. How long have you been wearing night lenses, Ronnie?
Since 2006. My optometrist told me about them, and I thought they sounded fantastic. I’ve always been super active, playing a ton of sports, so I figured I’d give ’em a shot.
Q. What did you use before night lenses?
I started with contact lenses back in 1963. At the time, I was playing non-league soccer at a pretty high level and had dreams of going pro. I almost made it with Hibs, but that’s a whole other tale! I never wanted to sport glasses. Partly it was vanity, but they were also a hassle for sports and my on-the-go lifestyle. I knew someone who had contacts, so I gave ’em a go, and they worked well, except for the occasional slip during matches.
Q. How have night lenses changed your life?
A massive change! Back when I was out with friends, I used to lug around glasses in case a lens popped out, along with solution, a lens case, the whole shebang. Now, I carry nothing. I play golf twice a week and hit up indoor bowls a few times – night lenses give me the freedom to see without glasses or fret about dirt under my lens. Living in Scotland means gusty, rainy days, but that’s a non-issue now. Before, while swimming, I’d dread losing a lens and being left blind. During beach trips, I had to be cautious, keeping my head above water. Night lenses give me perfect vision and absolute liberation.
Q. If you could’ve had night lenses from the get-go, how might that have changed things?
I was in banking, as a stockbroker. When computers came along, I found myself glued to a screen all day, which wasn’t great for my lenses or eyes. With night lenses, I could’ve nipped dryness and discomfort from screen time in the bud. Soccer would’ve been easier too. One less thing to fret over.
Q. Why would you recommend night lenses to others?
For total freedom and getting your sight back. All those minor annoyances I faced with daytime contacts disappeared in a flash. It’s like a rebirth of vision! I sing praises about night lenses to everyone, but they don’t believe me! They look at me like I’m nuts – how can you see? I’m 81 now and about to hit the links. It’s windy and a bit drizzly, but it won’t affect my vision one bit – no rain on my glasses or wind bugging my lenses. I feel normal, like my vision issues are gone. I see pro soccer and rugby players pausing mid-game to adjust their lenses, and I talk to folks who wear contacts or glasses during the day, and I can’t fathom why they don’t make the switch to night lenses and avoid those troubles for good. Everyone should have ’em!
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