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On average, more than half of all Americans have vision problems that require some sort corrective lenses. And just over half of Americans engage in regular physical activity. So the likelihood of needing some sort of vision assistance during exercise is high, and only increases with age.
 

And of those who wear both glasses and contacts, 81% prefer contacts when working out or engaging in sports.
 

Whether jogging around the block, bowling in the company league, or competing in a grueling triathlon, clear vision is mandatory to perform at your best level and avoid injury. Compared to wearing glasses, contact lenses can give you more freedom and confidence when working out or playing a sport – allowing you to pay more attention to your heart rate than your eyeglass frames.
 

Though athletes can wear specialty prescription glasses or goggles for sports (the preferred choice for some sports like downhill skiing or swimming), many prefer the ease of movement afforded by contacts. Additionally, especially with young athletes, contacts aren’t likely to get left behind on the ballfield or stomped on during play, like glasses can be.
 

The advantages of wearing contact lenses over eyeglasses during exercise can include:
 

Comfort

Depending on the intensity of your sport or workout, glasses can get sweaty, slip, and in the way of ease of movement. And glasses are often uncomfortable or incompatible with the headgear required by many sports.
 

Safety

In some sports, eyeglasses can actually be an added danger. If you get hit in the face with an elbow or ball, the risk of eye injury is greater with glasses. Thousands of ER visits each year result from eyeglass-related injuries.
 

Vision

Eyeglasses can restrict your peripheral vision and field of view during sports. Without eyeglass frames or their flat lenses, you can more easily and quickly take in your surroundings and react to obstacles or other players.
 

Adding Contact Lenses to Your Exercise Regime

Even if you prefer glasses for your day-to-day activities, you might consider the option of contacts just for sports. Daily disposable contact lenses offer the added value of less worry about lens care and storage. You can wear these contacts for your game or workout, then simply throw them away afterward.
 

Wearing contact lenses vs. glasses during a workout won’t guarantee that your performance will improve, but will give you the freedom to pay more attention to honing your sport than the glasses that keep sliding down your nose.
 

Talk to your Doctor at Eye Associates about the option of adding contact lenses to your exercise routine.
 

The information in this article should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.