Catriona Morrison MBE

Night lenses changed my life | Catriona Morrison MBE

Catriona Morrison is a champion in the world of multisport duathlons (running, biking, and more), a bronze medalist at the Triathlon World Championships (swimming, cycling, and running), and a winner of numerous Ironman events across the globe. After retiring in 2015, she redirected her incredible energy toward youth projects in her home country of Scotland. She mentors young individuals and co-founded the fantastic Everactiv sportswear brand for young women, which engages in projects and community programs to inspire young women. Given the demands of her sport (transitioning from water to biking to running), night lenses were a game-changer for Catriona, so we set up a Zoom call to hear her story.

Q: So, Catriona – multi-world champion duathlete, long-distance triathlon star, and Ironman champ – what’s your life motto?

A: My philosophy is all about pushing boundaries. I retired in 2015, so I’ve spent the last few years coming to terms with no longer being an athlete. I’ve been channeling my energy into other endeavors, including my youth projects. On the sports front, I’m currently enjoying long-distance cycling and have signed up for a 500km multi-day cycling event in September.

Q: How did you get into night lenses?

A: I paid a visit to my optometrist and vented my frustration about having to wear contact lenses when I competed. Triathlon and duathlon involve multiple transitions – from bikes to water to roads for running – so I needed different goggles, glasses, and sunglasses during races. I had to hide them to ensure they didn’t disappear, making sure I had the right set of eyewear for each part of the race. If I didn’t, my contact lenses would get affected by the wind, or I wouldn’t see properly. I was fed up with it. When my optometrist suggested night lenses, I initially didn’t understand what they were and didn’t believe her. Laser surgery was an option, but I wasn’t keen, as I only have one set of eyes and didn’t want anything to go wrong. Night lenses offer the best of both worlds, with the flexibility to revert back.

Q: What impact have night lenses had on your sporting life?

A: It’s been revolutionary. I no longer have to worry about my contact lenses falling out or having to be extra prepared with a backup plan. I don’t need prescription goggles for swimming or prescription glasses and sunglasses for biking. All the hassle disappeared. You don’t realize how valuable it is to have normal vision until you experience it! I wake up in the morning with zero concerns. I don’t even think of myself as having any vision issues anymore. It’s surreal.

A: Absolutely. In any sport where you sweat, you’re bound to touch your face and your eyes. If you wear contact lenses, there’s a risk of them shifting, so you’re always thinking about that. Sports glasses can get sweaty, fog up, or smudge, so they’re a concern as well. To deliver a top-notch performance, you need to have all your bases covered. It would have been a completely different story if I had to worry about goggles coming off during a swim or a lens getting dislodged during a race. Now, all I have to do is put one lens in and take one out. It’s that simple. Nothing in my eyes for the rest of the day and during the race. Why wouldn’t you want to control what you can in a race filled with so many uncontrollable variables?

Q: Could night lenses potentially revolutionize sports for glasses and daytime lens wearers?

A: Without a doubt. For me, night lenses revolutionized my life and my sporting experience.

Q: Would you ever switch back to daytime lenses?

A: Perhaps the only reason I’d go back is if I stopped being physically active, but that’s not in the cards. I got night lenses because of the high level of physical activity I engaged in and the convenience of living a life without the hassles of glasses or contact lenses. I briefly stopped using them twice. Interestingly, I became more conscious of the environmental impact of daily lenses. Night lenses amount to one set of lenses per year, as opposed to tossing out a pair every day. For those considering night lenses who are environmentally conscious, this could be a positive aspect as well – less waste.

Q: To wrap things up with an obvious question – would you recommend night lenses to other professional and amateur athletes?

A: Absolutely.

[Editor’s note: We’re starting to notice a common thread among night lens wearers who compete at the highest level in sports. Downhill Mountain Bike Champ, Euan Speirits [CLICK HERE to read his interview], spoke about how night lenses allowed him to achieve more in his sport. He echoes Catriona’s point about controlling the uncontrollable, emphasizing that in order to achieve peak performance, you shouldn’t have to think about your eyes. It’s also becoming apparent that these amazing individuals make me feel inadequate during interviews! But, they’re also incredibly inspiring. I thoroughly enjoyed chatting with Catriona.]