Prescription Sports Glasses
There are many different types of prescription sports glasses, so many that narrowing down the perfect pair may not be as easy as it looks. These days you can buy prescription lenses for snow sports, basketball, baseball, athletics and so on. Much like footwear, you need to make sure that you’ve picked the right pair not just for your eyes but for the sport that you participate in.
What Prescription Sports Glasses Are
By definition, prescription sports glasses are glasses that are designed to support both your need to wear glasses and combat the rigors of your chosen sport. We’re all aware that playing sports involves varying amounts of activity and not knowing whether your glasses are going to hit the deck and end up smashed doesn’t help your focus in-game. There’s no point in bounding onto a baseball court, feeling the game, and suddenly finding yourself inline to take the shot of the match and that’s the point when your glasses choose to divorce themselves from your face.
That’s the single most important reason why you need to make sure that you’ve bought the correct pair. The average sportsman treats his body with respect, and wouldn’t dream of ignoring the golden rules that go hand in hand with enjoying a level of fitness that meets with his or her chosen sport. Athletes invest in the correct footwear, knowing well that participating whilst wearing any old sport shoe could result in potential injury somewhere down the line.
Most sportsmen and women also pay the same attention to their clothing. You won’t see a downhill skier wearing a pair of random sweats and a grubby old sweater. Neither do you see them wearing glasses that are better suited to a night in front of the fire, reading the latest blockbuster. What you will see them wearing is clothing, eyeware and accessories that match the sport. Wrap-around, polarized sports glasses, streamlined clothing and top quality accessories.
It doesn’t matters whether you run for fitness or because you’re a world class competitor, you should still adopt the same attitude whatever your level. That and the fact that you’ve only got one pair of eyes to begin with … and there really is nothing worse than knowing that you threw the game because your glasses and you parted ways right at the wrong moment!
Types Of Sports Glasses
The following list is not exhaustive, though it does cover the basic types of sports glasses that are currently available. We’ve also included a basic overview regarding the key-points that you need to consider, according to the type of sport that you choose to pursue.
- Football glasses
- Baseball glasses
- Swimming goggles
- Golf eyeware
- Fishing eyeware
- Motorcycling eyeware
- Cycling and mountain biking glasses
- Basketball glasses
- Climbing eyeware
- Racquet sports eyeware
- Driving glasses
- Water sports eyeware – sailing, surfing etc
Football glasses – as with any sport that involves flying missiles (i.e. the ball!), you need to make sure that your glasses will cover three bases:
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eye-safety
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comfort
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reliability
The prescription lenses need to be manufactured from polycarbonate or similar, which is, in a nutshell, virtually unbreakable. Comfort wise, the frames should include adequate cushioning around the temple and bridge sections. Style: wraparound or not? If you’re a low prescription user then you’ll get away with wraparounds. Anything above and you’ll find that the lens distorts in your peripheral vision. Finally, remember that you’ll be wearing a helmet, so whatever your end choice, they will need to fit (comfortably!) beneath the confines of your helmet.
Baseball glasses – similar to football glasses, those used for baseball should include many of the same safety aspects: polycarb lenses, padded along the bridge/temples and a frame that supports the rigors of such an active sport. Also worth remembering is the fact that baseball is an outdoor sport and that means that you need to factor in the level of sunlight. Games can be lengthy, so bear in mind that a pair of prescription sports sunglasses that are light reactive and protect against harmful UV’s will be the far better option.
Swimming goggles – yes, you can by prescription swimming goggles. A quality pair can alleviate the problems associated with the chlorine affecting the eyes, plus you can buy a standard pair if you’re a contact lens user. Depending upon you prescription type, you can choose from two prescription options:
- Custom lenses – these are the better option for those with a high-level prescription. More costly but definitely worth it. Think of them as an investment in both your eyes and your ability in the water.
- Step diopter lenses – these are pre-made, and you need to pick the ones closest to your prescription. You won’t have perfect vision in the water, but it will be pretty close. Best for those with a low-prescription level.
The seal on the goggles also needs to be A1. You don’t want the pool water entering the goggles, more so if you choose to wear contact lenses whilst swimming. You need them to fit snug and comfortable around the eyes, not the eye socket itself.
Golf prescription glasses – they need to be a comfortable yet secure fit. Golfers look down, up, across, back down, then perform an almighty swing. Pretty much. In and among, the same concentrated focus is delivered right around the course. There also needs to be a rounded view throughout the lens, no matter what part is being looked through.
Half-frame glasses are better for that reason, as the eye doesn’t end up ‘catching’ on the lower frame, thus avoiding the chance of obscuring the line of sight. Finally – UV protection! Golfing is another outdoor sport and as always, the eyes need protection from harmful sun-rays. A top quality pair of prescription sports sunglasses will do just that.
Fishing eyeware – fishing takes place around water and one of the biggest problems relates to the glare that occurs when sunlight hits the surface of the waters. Think polarized! A polarized pair of prescription lenses will prove to be a superior choice all-round, particularly if you competition fish. Many a fisherman loses out to the one that got away!
Beyond that, the glasses need to be comfortable and secure, as despite the fact that fishing generally involves a lot of sitting around, when the fish bite then the fisherman needs to strike, swift and sure. Also consider the harm from UV light, a big issue for any sportsman that spends protracted lengths of time sitting outdoors.
Motorcycling prescription glasses – there’s no doubt that any motorcycling sport carries its own dangers. That’s one of the biggest reasons why this type of eyeware needs to be the best quality you can afford. Foam-padded eye-cups, the ability to interchange lenses according to the light, UV protection and polarized. Opt for a pair that can be worn as either standard frames or, when additional security is required, as a wraparound pair. Close-fitting, comfortable and secure glasses that are multi-dimensional are a must.
Cycling sports glasses – whatever form of cycling you enjoy, there’s always the chance that you’ll come up against flying debris, inclement weather and bright sunlight. Cycling requires a certain concentration not found in some sports, that being that you need to focus not only on your performance but your personal safety as well. Whether in competition, training or simply cycling for pleasure, the chances are that you’ll be out on the open road to a greater or lesser degree.
The right sports glasses will allow you to enjoy clear all-round vision – exactly what you need to spot road obstructions such as potholes and debris. Beyond that your glasses need to combat changing sunlight, weather conditions and glare. Wraparound frames are becoming more popular, vented, comfortable and secure, they’re an obvious choice for the serious cyclist. Consider interchangeable lenses, as riding in the early morning sunlight is vastly different from that in the early evening.
Basketball glasses – typically, basketball can be a relatively high-injury sport. Oddly enough, many of the injuries stem from injuries caused by a poke in the eye! Buying the correct basketball sunglasses can and will go a long way towards preventing harmful eye injuries. Similar to other contact, high-energy sports, polycarb lenses are the best choice. The frame needs to protect the eye fully, so a pair that encase the eye are by far the better option. Frame padding is also advised, as is a durable frame and the use of an elasticated wraparound band to keep the glasses firmly in place.
Climbing sports glasses – climbing is, without doubt, a dangerous sport. Climbing glasses need to be highly effective, reliable and above all, secure. You don’t want to find yourself halfway up a mountain and your clear vision plummets back to down to earth along with your glasses. For that reason you need hard working glassed, ones that both protect and allow you to climb as hassle free as possible. You need to factor in:
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inclement weather
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falling debris
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sunlight
Your glasses will need to deliver clarity in full – no distortion in your peripheral vision, full comfort around the eyes, secure fit and absolutely no chance of losing them mid-climb. Further they need to be able to deal with both harmful sun rays and glare.
Racquet sports glasses – any racquet sport carries the potential for an eye injury. If played predominantly outdoors, you’ll also need to think about the weather and sunlight. Polarized, anti-UV, and tough polycarb lenses will be required. Consider the use of a sports band, as well as a pair that have cushioning along the bridge and temple points. Also consider whether or not you’re going to use a shield. If so, it needs to fit safely and securely onto the frame, otherwise they’ll do more harm than good.
Driving glasses – minimizing road glare is hugely important. Polarized glasses are the best choice. Despite the fact you’re contained within a car, you still need to think about changing weather conditions. The windshield will do its job but it won’t deliver perfectly clear vision in all weathers. A half frame or aviator style is the most suitable, and opting for a light reactive lenses also makes a lot of sense.
Water sports glasses – similar to swimming goggles, with the focus being on protecting the eyes from the harm caused by salt water. They need to be secure and leak-proof, and able to deflect both harmful sunlight and the glare as the light hits the water’s surface. You also need them to stay on your face. Surfing’s a great sport, providing your eyeware stays on your face every time you crash in the waves. The lenses themselves need to be the polycarb type and for those that need prescription sports eyeware, use the guide given for swimming goggles.
Whatever your sport, whatever your final choice in prescription sports sunglasses, make sure that you do your homework, that you try before you buy, that you’re fully informed before you make your final decision. Your eyes are important. Your ability to enjoy the sport you love equally so. It doesn’t matter whether you’re happiest on the fairway, in the water, behind the wheel of a car or enjoying the open road, choose the best … and be the best.
Resources and thanks to:
Wikipedia Commons – Petar M, flip619