Playing Sports With Contact Lenses? 3 Things You Need To Know

May people that play sports choose to wear contact lenses instead of eyeglasses, because they are much easier while playing. If you play a sport and wear contact lenses yourself, below are three things you should keep in mind.

Wear Daily Disposable Lenses

If you currently wear contact lenses that you have to take out and clean and then put the same ones back in your eyes, you should consider purchasing daily disposable lenses. With this type of contacts, you will throw away your old pair and put in a brand new pair each day. This can be beneficial if you play sports. This is because if one of your lenses falls out due to being hit in the face, you would have to visit your eye doctor to get a new pair of contacts. Bring along an extra pair of contact lenses each time you play so if something happens you can quickly replace them and continue playing your sport.

Do Not Wear Contacts While Swimming

If your sport is swimming, you should not wear contact lenses at all while in the water. If the chlorine in the water comes in contact with your lenses, they will absorb the chlorine, which could cause eye irritation or infection.

People that wear contact lenses in the pool are also prone to acanthamoebic keratitis, which is an eye infection that develops when amoeba gets trapped between your contact lenses and your cornea. The amoeba will start to live in your eye, and this could result in ulcers of your cornea, or even permanent visual impairment.

Purchase Tinted Lenses

If you play a sport outside in the sun, such as baseball, you should consider tinted contact lenses. They reduce the glare from the sun, which allows you to see better.

Tinted contact lenses will also protect your eyes from the harmful UV rays. According to the American Optometric Association, you should have lenses that have at least 90% of the UVA and 99% of UVB protection if you are outside in environments like the beach or mountains.  Lenses that have 70% of UVA and 95% of UVB protection are recommended for general sports like running, baseball, etc.

Visit your eye doctor, who can help you choose the best type of contact lenses for the sport that you play.  If you play sports like basketball or football, the optometrist may suggest prescription sport goggles or sport glasses instead of contact lenses, as they can help you see more clearly and give you more eye protection. To learn more or to schedule an eye exam, contact your local eye doctor today!