Ronnie
Night lenses chat | 60 SECONDS with Ronnie aged 81
Meet Ronnie, the UK’s oldest known night lenses user, here to answer a common question: “Can I use night lenses at my age?”
Ronnie, a former stockbroker (and nearly a professional soccer player!) from Edinburgh, was an early adopter of contact lenses back in the 1960s. In 2006, his optometrist recommended night lenses to replace his daytime contact lenses, and he hasn’t looked back. Let’s have a quick chat with Ronnie to find out more about his night lenses journey…
Q. How long have you been using night lenses, Ronnie?
I started using them in 2006. My optometrist introduced me to them, and I thought they sounded fantastic. I’ve always been very active and played a lot of sports, so I decided to give them a try.
Q. What did you use before night lenses?
I began using contact lenses in 1963. At the time, I played non-league soccer at a high level and had dreams of making it to the top. I almost made it with Hibs, but that’s a different story! I never wanted to wear glasses. Vanity played a big role in that decision, but glasses also didn’t work well for sports and my active lifestyle. I knew someone who had contact lenses, so I got them, and they worked well, except when they occasionally shifted during matches.
Q. How have night lenses changed your life?
They’ve made an incredible difference! Back when I used to go out socially, I had to carry glasses just in case my contact lens fell out, along with solution, a contact lens case, and more. Now, I carry nothing. I play golf twice a week and indoor bowls a few times a week – night lenses give me the freedom of clear vision without glasses or worrying about dust getting under my lens. Living in Scotland means dealing with windy or rainy days, but that’s no longer a concern. Previously, I worried about losing a lens while swimming and being unable to see. On beach holidays, I always had to be cautious, keeping my head above water. Night lenses grant me perfect vision and complete freedom.
Q. If you could have had night lenses at the beginning of your career, how might that have made a difference?
I worked in banking as a stockbroker. When computers became prevalent, I found myself staring at a screen all day, which wasn’t ideal for my lenses or my eyes. If I’d had night lenses, it would have eliminated dryness and discomfort from screen use. Soccer would have been easier too. One less thing to worry about.
Q. Why would you recommend night lenses to others?
For total freedom and the restoration of your sight. All the minor inconveniences I experienced with regular contact lenses disappeared instantly. It’s like a rebirth of eyesight! I enthusiastically advocate for night lenses to everyone, but no one believes me! They look at me incredulously – how can you see? I’m 81 now, and I’m about to play golf shortly. It’s windy today and a bit rainy, but that won’t affect my vision in any way – no rain on my glasses or wind bothering my lenses. I feel normal, as if my vision problem doesn’t exist. I see professional soccer and rugby players stopping mid-game to adjust their lenses, and I talk to others who wear contact lenses or glasses during the day, and I can’t understand why they don’t switch to night lenses and avoid those troubles forever. Everyone should have them!
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