More Than A Third Of Glasses Wearers Have Played Sports - Without Being Able To See

(MENAFN- SWNS Digital) More than a third of glasses wearers have played sports – without being able to see properly.

A poll, of 2,000 long- or short-sighted adults found 42 per cent have misjudged a distance or made an error after ditching their glasses to compete.

While one in 10 (11 per cent) have even ended up injured thanks to their blurry vision.

More than half (52 per cent) steer clear of wearing eyewear during sport in case they snap, while 44 per cent reckon they'll fly off mid-exercise – and 32 per cent say sweat makes them slip around.

And 29 per cent dread foggy lenses, with football and running identified as the two biggest culprits for wrecking their specs.

It also emerged only 37 per cent feel confident their glasses would stay secure during sport – with 29 per cent saying they hold them back from doing what they enjoy.

A third have even experienced anxiety while wearing glasses in active or 'risky' situations where they might fall to their peril.

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.

But the research also found 64 per cent have damaged their glasses in one way or another outside of the sporting arena.

The most likely causes of spectacle damage included accidental drops, sitting on them, or falling asleep with them on.

Of those who have experienced damage, 69 per cent have tried to fix them themselves – with replacing screws, twisting or bending frames, and using superglue among the top methods.

However, 42 per cent admitted their DIY attempts weren't effective, according to the OnePoll data.

And among those who take part in sporting activity, 32 per cent have worn 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."

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