High-level performance is crucial for athletes to succeed when competing in a competitive sport. It helps them achieve their goals and ensures their bodies are primed to continue competing.
Athletes can improve their performance in many ways, but eyewear has long been an underrated and overlooked tool in the sports world. Now, many are noticing their importance in sports, especially with gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik going viral for wearing his glasses before acing his pommel horse routine at the Paris Olympics. Not many athletes are seen wearing eyewear, but many need it to keep them at the top of their game. Here’s how eyewear impacts sports performance for your favorite athletes:
Clear vision
Not being able to see a ball, a teammate, an opponent, or a goal or net can affect athletic performance and the game’s outcome. One of the main reasons athletes wear any kind of eyewear is for clear vision, allowing them to ensure every move on the field or court is calculated and executed perfectly. Many athletes opt for contact lenses to provide vision correction while playing sports since glasses can easily fall or break during a game. They provide a larger field of vision, potentially less visual distortion, and a more seamless visual experience.
Many contact lenses also come with unique technologies to enhance comfort. The 1-Day Acuvue Oasys with HydraLuxe contact lenses come with a tear-infused design that lubricates and moisturizes the eyes, while the Air Optix plus Hydraglyde contact lenses help maintain hydration and help shield the eyes against deposits. These technologies can ensure athletes’s eyes won’t get irritated or uncomfortable while playing, allowing them to focus on their performance. These benefits are why top athletes like Cristiano Ronaldo wear contact lenses on the field; without clear or comfortable vision, he may not be able to perform at an elite level.
Addressing eye conditions
Athletes may seem unstoppable when competing, but they aren’t immune to issues like eye conditions, which often require treatment and correction behind the scenes. Eyewear is often used to help athletes alleviate the symptoms of their conditions to help them play or compete at the top of their game or get through daily life in general.
The Golden State Warrior’s Stephen Curry wears specialized contact lenses to help improve his vision due to the condition keratoconus, which causes the eye’s cornea to become thin and cone-shaped over time. Some athletes also opt for sports glasses or goggles that can stay secure on the face to help them get through competitions or everyday activities. Another basketball legend, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, wore sports goggles to help protect his eyes as he developed corneal erosion syndrome due to being poked in the eye numerous times in his career. Eyewear can help keep the eyes safe and manage conditions while competing.
UV protection
Compared to athletes who compete indoors, outdoor pursuits present athletes with an additional challenge to overcome when competing: the sun. Harsh UV rays pose a threat to their vision, as they can cause issues like eye sunburn or increase the risk of eye conditions. Bright light, glare, and debris can also impede vision, affecting performance and comfort. To avoid these issues when doing outdoor sports, athletes often wear sunglasses to protect their eyes and improve sports performance.
Eyewear brands like Oakley have long been a major fixture in the sports world, with sunglasses and eyewear designed for athletes in various sports, from cycling and running to golf and snowboarding. The sunglasses provide 100% UVA and UVB protection, and the brand’s Prizm Lens Technology helps improve color and contrast so athletes can easily spot obstacles and keep their eyes focused on their environment. These features help keep athletes at the top of their game, ensuring that UV rays, glare from reflective surfaces, and debris won’t get in the way of their game. Even though some outdoor athletes from more intense sports don’t wear sunglasses while competing, they’re a popular and protective accessory outside of their profession. It’s why Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes becoming an Oakley ambassador makes sense, as protection before and after a football game is still paramount to maintaining clear vision and eye health to ensure he has longevity in the NFL.
Main Image Credit: Freepik
