Catriona Morrison MBE

Night lenses changed my life | Catriona Morrison MBE

Catriona Morrison, a real superstar in the world of multisport, is known as the champ in duathlon (running, cycling, running), bagged a bronze at the Triathlon World Championships (swimming 3.8k, biking 180km, running 42km), and nailed the top spot in numerous Ironman showdowns around the globe. After hanging up her sporting gear in 2015, Catriona redirected her incredible energy towards projects for the youth back home in Scotland. She’s a mentor to young folks and one of the brains behind Everactiv, an awesome sportswear brand for young ladies. Everactiv gets involved in projects and community stuff to inspire and boost the confidence of young women. With her sport being all about water, cycling, and running, night lenses turned out to be a real game-changer for Catriona. We caught up with her on Zoom to hear all about her transformation.

Q: Catriona, you’ve got a bunch of world titles in duathlon, long-distance triathlon, and Ironman races under your belt. What’s your life motto?

A: I live by the motto “How much further can I push?” After stepping away from the sports scene in 2015, I’ve been figuring out life beyond being an athlete. Right now, I’m really into long-distance cycling and I’ve signed up for a 500km multi-day biking adventure happening in September.

Q: So, how did you stumble upon night lenses?

A: Well, I paid a visit to my eye doctor and poured out my frustration about dealing with contact lenses during races. In events like Triathlons and Duathlons, you’re switching between biking, water, and road running all the time. I needed different eyewear for each leg of the race and had to stash them away to make sure they didn’t vanish into thin air. It was a real headache, and I was fed up with it. When my eye doctor mentioned night lenses as a potential fix, I was initially skeptical. I’d considered laser surgery but was hesitant, you know, because I’ve only got one pair of eyes, and I didn’t want to take any unnecessary risks. Night lenses gave me the best of both worlds, with the option to switch back if needed.

Q: So, how have these night lenses changed your game in sports?

A: It’s been a game-changer, no doubt. I don’t worry about my contact lenses falling out or needing a Plan B anymore. I’ve waved goodbye to prescription goggles for swimming and prescription eyewear for cycling and running. All the hassle has disappeared. You don’t truly realize the value of clear vision until you experience it! I wake up in the morning without a care in the world. I don’t even think of myself as having any vision challenges anymore. It’s been an incredible transformation.

A: Definitely, yes. Any sport that makes you sweat, touch your face, or rub your eyes can be a real hassle for contact lens users. There’s always a risk of losing a lens. Sports glasses tend to get all sweaty and can fog up or get smudged, which can be quite distracting. To perform at your absolute best, you want to eliminate all those unnecessary distractions. Having to stress about your goggles slipping during a swim or a lens getting loose during a race adds unwanted pressure. With night lenses, I simply pop one in before bedtime and take it out in the morning. It’s that straightforward. I don’t have anything in my eyes throughout the day or during a race. Why not take control of what you can in a race full of unpredictable variables?

Q: Could night lenses potentially change the game for folks who wear glasses and day lenses when they’re into sports?

A: Sports are a big part of life, and for me, night lenses have not only transformed my sports experience but my overall life too.

Q: Would you ever go back to day lenses?

A: The only situation where I’d think about going back to day lenses is if I weren’t leading such an active life. However, I’m committed to staying active. I initially switched to night lenses because of my high activity level and to get rid of the hassles of glasses and daily contact lenses. I did stop using them briefly twice. Interestingly, I became aware of the environmental impact of daily disposable lenses. Night lenses create only one set of waste per year compared to throwing away a pair every single day. For someone who cares about the environment, this could be an added positive aspect to consider. Less waste, more sustainability.

Q: To wrap it up, would you recommend night lenses to other pro and amateur athletes?

A: Absolutely

[Editor’s note: We keep hearing a recurring theme from night lens users who excel in top-notch sports. Euan Speirits, the Downhill Mountain Bike Champ, mentioned in his chat [CLICK HERE to read the full interview], that he owes a lot of his success to night lenses. He shares Catriona’s view on taking charge of the unpredictable and the importance of not having to fret about eye-related issues during performance. One thing that remains consistent is how inspiring these folks are, even if their achievements might make the rest of us feel a tad inadequate. Nevertheless, their stories are incredibly motivating. It was a pleasure talking to Catriona.]