Wearing contact lenses is a common choice for athletes seeking vision correction during physical activity. They are generally safe for sports, provided the user follows strict hygiene and wear protocols. Contacts offer a practical alternative to traditional glasses, which can interfere with performance and safety in many sports environments. With proper precautions, contacts are a reliable tool for maintaining clear vision while staying active.
Why Contacts Are Preferred for Athletic Activity
Contact lenses offer functional advantages over eyeglasses for athletic pursuits. Since the lens sits directly on the eye’s surface, it moves with the eyeball, providing a consistently clear image without the distortion seen at the edges of spectacle lenses. This positioning allows for a wider field of view, useful in sports requiring high peripheral awareness, like basketball or soccer.
The stability of contacts is a major benefit, as they do not fog up from sweat or temperature changes, nor do they slip down the nose during intense movement. This eliminates a common distraction for athletes. Contacts also simplify the use of necessary protective equipment, fitting seamlessly beneath helmets, goggles, and face shields without creating uncomfortable pressure points.
Hazards of Wearing Contacts During Sports
While contacts offer performance benefits, wearing them during sports introduces risks related to physical trauma and infection. In high-contact sports, a direct blow to the eye can cause the lens to dislodge or fold, potentially leading to a painful corneal abrasion from the lens edge or trapped debris. Outdoor activities expose the eyes to irritants like dust, dirt, or sand, which can become lodged underneath the lens, resulting in irritation and microscopic scratches.
The highest risk for contact lens wearers is exposure to water, including tap water, pools, lakes, and hot tubs. Water can harbor a microscopic parasite called Acanthamoeba. Soft contact lenses are porous and can absorb this parasite, which may then cause a severe eye infection known as Acanthamoeba keratitis. This parasitic infection attacks the cornea and can lead to permanent vision loss.
Choosing and Caring for Lenses Used in Sports
The selection of the right lens type and adherence to hygiene protocols are the most effective preventative measures for athletes. Daily disposable lenses are recommended for sports use because they minimize the risk of infection. Since a fresh, sterile pair is used and discarded after each activity, cleaning solutions or storage are unnecessary, eliminating sources of microbial contamination.
Rigorous hand hygiene is essential; hands must be washed thoroughly with soap and water and dried completely before handling lenses. Never use tap water to rinse or store lenses due to the risk of parasitic contamination. If a lens falls out or becomes uncomfortable during play, replace it immediately with a fresh lens or a back-up pair.
In high-impact or high-debris sports, such as baseball or cycling, contacts should be paired with polycarbonate sports goggles or other protective eyewear. Contacts offer no physical protection against blunt force trauma or flying objects. This combination ensures clear vision while shielding the eyes from injury and environmental contaminants.