Over a third of spectacle wearers have participated in sports – without being able to see properly. A survey of 2,000 long- or short-sighted adults revealed that 42 per cent have misjudged a distance or made a mistake after removing their glasses to play sports. As a result, one in 10 have sustained injuries due to their impaired vision.
More than half (52 per cent) avoid wearing eyewear during sport for fear they might break, while 44 per cent believe they’ll be dislodged during exercise – and 32 per cent say sweat causes them to slide around. Additionally, 29 per cent fear foggy lenses, with football and running identified as the two main activities responsible for damaging their glasses.
The study also found that only 37 per cent feel confident their glasses would remain secure during sport – with 29 per cent claiming they prevent them from enjoying their activities.
A third have even experienced anxiety while wearing glasses in active or ‘risky’ situations where they might fall off.
Giles Edmonds, clinical services director at Specsavers, which commissioned the research, said: “This sort of problem is more common than people might think. In a sporting environment, glasses are naturally more at risk of being damaged, and as a result, the findings show people are going without them entirely.
“Depending on their vision, this could have a fundamental impact on their performance or even increase the risk of injury.”
Broken or bent frames, scratched lenses, and stretched or broken arms were among the most common outcomes of glasses being damaged during physical activity.
However, the study also revealed that 64 per cent have experienced damage to their glasses in various ways outside of sports activities. The most frequent causes of damage were accidentally dropping them, sitting on them, or dozing off while wearing them.
The majority of people have attempted to repair the damage them themselves but 42 per cent confessed their DIY efforts were unsuccessful, according to data from OnePoll.com.
For those who engage in sports activities, 32 per cent have opted for either contact lenses or sports goggles to avoid missing out.
Giles Edmonds, from Specsavers, added: “Contact lenses are the natural option when it comes to maintaining perfect vision in a sporting environment.
“Unlike spectacles, contacts move with your eyes, eliminating peripheral vision restrictions that can be crucial in fast-paced sports environments. They don’t fog up, slip down your nose due to sweat, or risk breaking during contact sports.
“Daily disposable contact lenses are particularly ideal for sports as they’re fresh, hygienic, and easily replaceable if lost or damaged.”