We caught up with “John” (keeping it anonymous), a 47-year-old who spent 13 years on the front lines with TSG in Northern Ireland. John recently got hooked up with night lenses, and it’s turned his world around. He wishes he’d gotten them sooner, both for his job and personal life. According to him, rocking night lenses makes police work better and safer compared to daytime lenses. Check out the interview transcript, or watch the full video HERE.
First off, let me tell you, I wish I’d known about these gems ages ago! When I stumbled upon them, I couldn’t believe this was an option for me. No optometrist ever clued me in. Since I got them, it’s like I’ve forgotten I even have bad eyesight because there’s no part of the day when I can’t see properly. With daytime lenses, there were moments I had to yank them out, and I’d be practically blind. Now, I’ve got clear vision around the clock. It’s sweet not to be constantly aware of them – with daytime lenses, I was always mindful of them, whether I was biking, caught in the rain, swimming with the kids, or chilling on the beach. Constantly on guard so I wouldn’t accidentally knock ’em out or something.
Feeling liberated now? Any notable changes in your life? I heard you mention swimming – that’s a whole new ballgame now?
That’s the major game-changer. I used to avoid swimming simply because I couldn’t see properly without my specs, and that’s super annoying. Anyone who wears glasses knows the struggle – it’s like you’re not wearing anything, but you can’t see clearly. I’ve hit the pool more in the past three months than probably in the last decade. Putting it in perspective, it’s like the first time I wore glasses and everything became crystal clear – the same feeling I had diving into the pool after starting with night lenses, seeing everything underwater with my goggles. It’s like a whole new world!
Tell me about your stint with the police.
I spent 13 years in TSG in Northern Ireland until recently.
So, an active gig. Looking back, what’s the difference? Any situations where daytime lenses could have been a headache, and with night lenses, you’d breeze through?
TSG is a frontline gig with early and late shifts, dealing with public order, riots, Saturday nights in the city, house and building searches, you name it. My role involved CBRN, wearing those big suits. During searches, especially in dusty or loft areas, particularly with felt, it was too easy for stuff to get in your eyes, in your contacts. You were always cautious, even with the provided goggles; they couldn’t keep out the grit and dust. Wiping your eye, a common thing, could result in hitting your lens, which was excruciating! The soft lenses I used to wear made it unbearable, and in the midst of an operation, you couldn’t afford that. It happened a couple of times while driving at night when I was tired – my eyes got dry, I wiped them, and I knocked out my lenses – the worst timing.
What about when things got rowdy? Any worries about your daytime lenses on the job, and looking back, how would it have been different with night lenses and nothing in your eyes?
Peace of mind. I was always conscious of wearing lenses, even after 25 years of donning them. Hoping they wouldn’t get knocked out, whether from a punch or a scuffle… even in the rain, you’re fretting about them. With these night lenses, it’s peace of mind – you forget you’re wearing them as there’s nothing in your eyes. Just that peace of mind when you’re heading out.
Absolutely! Since I got my hands on night lenses, I’ve been hitting the cycling scene. With the recent rain, I went out for a ride, got splashed in the face by the dude in front of me, and my first thought was, ‘I 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. What a relief!
You mentioned in our pre-interview chat that you were out on your bike and spotted a bird in the sky, a hawk…?
Yeah, I’ve noticed that my prescription hasn’t changed, but my long-distance vision seems to have leveled up. Like I mentioned earlier, I spotted a peregrine falcon from miles away with a clarity I haven’t experienced since I was a kid!
The goal of this interview is to spread the word to fellow police officers and emergency workers – why would you suggest they give night lenses a shot?
It’s all about peace of mind – no worries about a lens getting knocked out or getting hit with CS or PAVA, which has happened to me before. With CBRN situations, you can’t wear soft lenses, so you’re stuck with those vision correction gadgets, which are a hassle. You don’t have to stress about assaults, especially concerning your eyes. It just provides that peace of mind, allowing you to focus on your job without the constant worry. I have no clue how people manage with specs in my line of work, but if you can rock these night lenses, they’re way better.
Night lens wearers often reflect and find the idea of putting in a lens when they wake up a bit odd – are you at that point?
Absolutely. I’d never go back to daytime lenses. It’s a no-brainer – better in every imaginable way.
ASK YOUR OPTOMETRIST ABOUT NIGHT LENSES
Night lenses are designed for patients with short sight (myopia) <-5.00D. If you want more info, just ask your eye doctor about night lenses, and they'll walk you through your options. If you don't have an optometrist, click the find your nearest fitter image below to locate one.
USEFUL LINKS
– What’s the deal with night lenses and how do they work?
– Check out stories of others whose lives have been transformed by night lenses.
– WATCH this interview on YouTube.