Eyewear for leisure

The right eyewear can make a big difference to your enjoyment of hobbies and sports.

Contact lenses can be a great option for sports and socialising and a wide range of lenses are available to suit almost any prescription. Even if you’ve tried contact lenses in the past and didn’t get on with them, you may find that the newer materials and lens designs that are available might suit you better.

There are lots of benefits in spectacles depending on which hobby or sport you follow:

• People who enjoy water sports such as sailing often benefit from polarised spectacle lenses, which block reflections from the surface of the water and protect the eyes from ultraviolet light
• Prescription goggles and face masks are ideal for hobbies like skiing, cycling, swimming and scuba diving
• Runners, and many others who do outdoor sports will benefit from tight fitting eyewear with UV protection
• Certain tints may be recommended for specific activities, such as shooting and archery
• Cricketers often find that wrap-around frames with mirror tinted lenses enhance contrast on the field, whilst providing a wide field of vision
• Certain sports may require protective eyewear. For example squash balls are just the right size to cause significant damage if they hit the eye, so players are strongly advised to wear appropriate eye protection
• Opticians can also advise on appropriate eyewear for keen DIY amateurs, to protect the eyes from particles and/or chemical injuries.