When it comes to participating in sports and other types of exercise, anyone who wears glasses knows that it can become both uncomfortable and annoying to perform with eyewear on. And yet, most of us need our glasses to see, especially when we’re moving around in unfamiliar territory.
Runners who eschew their regular eyewear may be especially prone to slipping, tripping, and banging into objects (stationary or moving) simply because they are traveling forward at higher-than-average speeds.Even those who don’t necessarily need prescription lenses may want to protect their eyes from harmful UVA and UVB rays when they run. Luckily, there are some solutions for the joggers among us who are looking for ways to utilize eyewear when they exercise. Here are just a few suggestions to keep your eyes and your limbs safe when you exercise.
If you’re looking for a way to protect your eyes from the glare of the sun then you may want to look into sunglasses specifically engineered for runners. There are many brands on the market and most of them feature lightweight frames that hug the side of your head and grip the bridge of your nose to prevent slipping and bouncing. One of the best pairs on the market, according to consumers, is Oakley’s Half Jacket running glasses, which offer broad-spectrum UV protection and support interchangeable lenses for different lighting conditions (overcast, glare, etc.). For those who need a prescription but also want protection from the sun, prescription lenses can be ordered.
Although these glasses are better than your run-of-the-mill fare when it comes to jogging, you may still experience some amount of movement where your eyewear is concerned. So the next step is to try athletic goggles. They come with options for those who need prescription lenses as well as those who want shade from the sun. And they’re more or less guaranteed not to slip, slide, or bounce around as you jog, since they are fitted firmly to your head with an (often adjustable) elastic strap. You may recognize the design, which is commonly seen in the sport of basketball, although the version for runners tends to be smaller and more often than not comes with UV protection.
Finally, you may want to ditch the frames altogether and opt for contact lenses, which almost certainly will not fall off your face as you exercise. Although goggles offer the same claim, they can still be uncomfortable and even fog up as you sweat, a major drawback for most runners. Contacts come with no such caveat, although they do have some potential drawbacks. There are three major complaints with contacts in regards to exercise. The first is that they can dry out, causing irritation. Alternately, they may become muddled with moisture as you sweat. And finally, they don’t offer any protection from the sun.
Luckily, all of these issues can be counteracted. There are now contacts specifically designed for the sports enthusiast. Some are more breathable so that your eyes can lubricate naturally and excess moisture will be able to escape. And many companies are now offering special lenses that protect your eyes from UV rays (although they won’t give you any relief from glare). Either way, they’re likely to be more comfortable than traditional eyewear.
I use contact lenses and almost always couple them with some sports sunglasses.