A recent survey has revealed that more than one-third of individuals in the UK who wear glasses engage in sports without clear vision. The study, which involved 2,000 adults with varying degrees of eyesight issues, showed that 42% have experienced misjudgments or errors while participating in sports without their glasses. Shockingly, 10% have sustained injuries due to their impaired vision.
Interestingly, over half (52%) of respondents avoid wearing their glasses during sports activities out of fear of breakage, while 44% are concerned about them falling off during exercise, and 32% find that sweat causes them to slip. Only 37% feel confident that their glasses will stay secure while playing sports, and 29% feel that glasses hinder their enjoyment of physical activities.
The research also found that a significant portion (33%) of participants have felt anxious about wearing glasses during active or risky situations where they could potentially fall off. Giles Edmonds, the clinical services director at Specsavers, which conducted the survey, highlighted the prevalence of this issue and its impact on performance and safety in sports environments.
Common outcomes of glasses being damaged during physical activities include broken or bent frames, scratched lenses, and stretched or broken arms. Moreover, 64% of respondents have experienced some form of damage to their glasses outside of sports, often caused by accidents like dropping them, sitting on them, or falling asleep while wearing them.
Of those who have experienced damage, 69% have attempted DIY repairs, such as replacing screws, twisting frames, or using superglue. However, 42% admitted that their efforts were unsuccessful, according to data from OnePoll.com.
Edmonds suggested that contact lenses are a more suitable option for maintaining clear vision during sports, emphasizing their benefits over glasses in terms of flexibility and safety. He recommended daily disposable contact lenses as an ideal choice for sports due to their freshness, hygiene, and ease of replacement if lost or damaged.