Lenses, glasses or correction – what to choose for an athlete, said the ophthalmologist

Professor, Doctor of medical sciences, leading Russian ophthalmic surgeon in the field of laser correction

What to choose if you have poor eyesight and do sports: contact lenses, glasses or laser correction?

The desire to see the world in all its colors has always been inherent in man. With the passage of time, the development of medicine and technology, there are more and more ways to do it. Today, those who have insufficient visual acuity can choose between classic methods of correction – glasses and contact lenses – and more advanced methods – laser correction and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation.

The choice in favor of one or another method depends on both medical indications and personal preferences. One person may be uncomfortable with glasses and actively uses contact lenses. Another, on the contrary, is uncomfortable with the process of putting on and taking off the lenses. The third will decide to have surgery to avoid using additional means at all.

Another factor is lifestyle, including activity level. Most sports due to their peculiarities do not allow using correction means, for example, game and contact disciplines, martial arts. In order to understand which option is suitable for you, it is worth considering each one separately.

Glasses

For some people, glasses are really optimal – visual acuity corresponds to the norm, there is no need to touch the eyes unnecessarily, and the frame itself complements the overall image.

It is fair to say that glasses are not suitable for athletes. In game sports they can cause injury to the face and eyes. After all, collisions and hitting a ball or other projectile are not always avoided. In winter sports, where the mandatory attribute is protective goggles or a mask, goggles for vision will not work either. Besides, one should not forget about the influence of weather conditions: the lenses may fog up, get dirty or wet.

Tennis player Martina Navratilova

Of course, history knows exceptions. Soccer player Edgar Davids after treatment of glaucoma went on the field in special glasses that protected his eyes and corrected his vision. One of the greatest tennis players Martina Navratilova was not afraid to appear on the court wearing glasses for vision. How to do sports if you have poor eyesight, read in the article at the link.

Contact lenses

This is already a more comfortable option for those who lead an active lifestyle. However, not everyone can wear lenses for medical reasons. For example, in chronic inflammatory processes of the eyes, impaired function of the lacrimal glands, dry eyes, a high degree of strabismus, lenses will be prohibited.

And, of course, contact lenses require a clear period of wear and care. Otherwise, there is a high risk of infection and serious complications.

For sports contact lenses are quite a good option, they do not fog up, do not interfere, do not limit the field of vision. They are allowed in most disciplines, which is actively used by many professional athletes, such as Kevin Durant, who plays for the Brooklyn Nets and the U.S. National Basketball Team.

Basketball player Kevin Durant

But still, although lenses reduce, they do not completely eliminate the possibility of injury. In a collision, impact or fall, the lens can fly out and scratch the cornea of the eye. Such an injury is accompanied by sharp pain, lacrimation, photophobia, and, of course, it is impossible to continue the performance in such a state. Therefore, there is always a possibility of ending the match early.

For the same reason, lenses are not allowed in martial arts. By the way, with progressive deterioration of vision, heavy physical activity is also not allowed, because it can aggravate the development of the disease. This is especially true for weightlifting and contact disciplines.

Laser vision correction

The main advantage of this procedure is that you will not have to use glasses or lenses in the future. Vision is restored to normal values, and for some people even higher, which significantly increases the quality of life.

This is a painless micro-invasive procedure, i.e. it involves minimal surgical intervention. It lasts no more than 15-20 minutes, including instruction. The laser time varies from 25 to 60 seconds depending on the correction method.

There are several correction methods available to you today: PRK, Lasik, and ReLEx Smile. The method is selected individually, taking into account the peculiarities of each patient.

PRK

The first generation of laser surgeries, has many disadvantages compared to later methods. This is both a weak effect and a long recovery period. Today, it is used most often in the case of pre-correction or repeated surgery.

Lasik

The second generation, already a more comfortable option: all restrictions are removed after a month. But it is contraindicated for patients with thin corneas and those whose lives are associated with high loads, such as professional athletes and military personnel.

Golfer Tiger Woods

The reason lies in the mechanics of the procedure itself: in order for the ophthalmic surgeon to have access to the middle layer of the cornea, a flap (flap) is formed around the perimeter of the cornea, which is folded back for the duration of the laser. After the flap returns to its place, but it never grows back permanently and can be displaced in the event of a severe blow. This is the procedure that was performed on golfer Tiger Woods back in 1997.

ReLEx Smile.

This is the third and by far the most advanced generation of the procedure. It has a minimum of contraindications, and restrictions are removed the very next day: you can drive, return to training, and swim. In this case, surgical intervention is minimal, the only incision is 2 mm.

The only disadvantage of the method is that the operation is mainly designed for people with myopia (nearsightedness). Research is now underway to adapt ReLEx Smile for patients with farsightedness.

Laser vision correction has an alternative – the implantation of phakic lenses. These are placed just inside the eye and correct vision. This method is used when the degree of myopia is high, say -18, and when laser treatment is impossible due to corneal pathologies.

Thus, for athletes, both amateurs and professionals, and in general for people leading an active lifestyle, laser vision correction by the ReLEx SMILE method will probably be the best option. Of course, each of the considered has its own strengths and weaknesses. It is not always easy to choose. And one should not forget about medical indications, because everyone’s eyes are individual – for one reason or another lenses or laser correction may be contraindicated.

In some cases, sporting activities themselves have a positive effect on eyesight. Read more about it in the material at the link.

Often psychological comfort comes to the forefront: not everyone can wear lenses, not everyone is ready to decide to undergo surgery. That is why we will continue to see athletes wearing lenses and doctors wearing glasses.