Sports glasses with prescription – 5 tips for buying glasses

Although vision contributes significantly to safety during sports, around 40 percent of people with impaired vision exercise without appropriate sports glasses. It is just as much an optimal piece of sports equipment as good footwear. For sports where ordinary glasses can no longer support, prescription sports glasses are the suitable alternative.

We have five tips for spectacle wearers to choose the right sports glasses regardless of the sporting activities.

Tip 1: Safety comes first in sports glasses

When choosing sports glasses, safety should always be at the forefront. Sports glasses must not splinter when exercising, which is why they are made of plastic, specifically polycarbonate, in the best case. In addition, the nose pads and temple ends must guarantee both firm support and comfort, so that it is permanently enjoyable.

Good air circulation ensures that the glazing does not fog up. If the sports glasses are particularly tight, the air circulation must be particularly effective. Do you like to do sports at high altitudes? Then protection against UV radiation is also an important aspect. Sports sunglasses provide the required UV protection and prevent glare. For working in front of the PC, there are also so-called blue light filter glasses, which filter the potentially bad light.

Tip 2: Quality comes at a price

As far as glazing is concerned, there are two variants for sports glasses: direct glazing, which is more expensive, but particularly suitable for mountain sports and clip-in. Clips are a cheaper option, but they are not suitable for every sport. However, if quality is important to you when it comes to sports glasses with prescription, you should not skimp on sports glasses lenses.

The optician can adapt the sports glasses with direct glazing to the wearer, if desired also with tinting or progressive lenses. Small opticians often also offer new glazing, eliminating the cost of a new frame.

However, the clip-in variant also has advantages over direct glazing: it can be flexibly used in various glasses and, if necessary, extends sports glasses with glare protection and UV protection. Clips are used to insert the corrective lenses into the glasses.

However, when running or changing temperatures, it is not impossible for the glasses to fog up. This can sometimes be uncomfortable. Depending on the willingness to invest, however, adjustments are also possible here.

Tip 3: Individual glasses for every sport

Just as different equipment for clothing and footwear is required for each sport, the sports glasses should also be adapted to the respective sport. It is not recommended to wear glasses for all sports.

In indoor sports, the tinting can be dispensed with; for outdoor sports, for example, mountain biking, self-tinting spectacle lenses offer more comfort.

Skiers in particular need suitable ski goggles anyway to be prepared for the special light conditions on the mountain. The same applies to water sports.

Cycling goggles with prescription

In cycling, prescription sports glasses offer not only clear vision but also protection against unwanted contact with insects or thrown stones.

Self-tinting glasses adapt to changing light conditions and are advantageous if you like to drive at night. Oakley specializes in cycling glasses with sun protection and wind protection.

Prescription Ski Goggles

Ordinary sunglasses or glasses are not sufficient for skiing anyway. In this case, it is worth investing in goggles with prescription. Because a limited field of vision on the ski slope can be dangerous not only for yourself, but also for others.

Polarised plastic lenses increase safety and allow a clear view, whether you are standing on the skis in the snow or in strong sunlight. Optionally, contact lenses under goggles are also a way to compensate for the visual impairment when skiing.

However, since not everyone can tolerate or wear contact lenses, the prescription ski goggles are a correspondingly comfortable choice. Manufacturers Uvex and Oakley offer a wide range of ski goggles with optical glazing. Julbo and Uvex also offer the cheaper clip-in system.

Prescription Running Goggles

Why do you need special glasses when running? On the one hand, to protect the eyes from dirt and sunlight and, on the other hand, to prevent the glasses from falling or slipping. Compared to contact lenses, special prescription running glasses offer advantages.

They adapt to the shape of the head, prevent stray light and do not dry out the eye when running. In addition, the sweat of the sports glasses is less than that of contact lenses. Do you like to walk on snow or near lakes? Then you should consider polarizing lenses. In this way, disturbing reflections can be avoided.

Prescription goggles

When swimming, refractive error is a significant problem: because both ordinary glasses and contact lenses are not an optimal solution. The best viewing conditions are for goggle wearers with prescription goggles.

Also at the edge of the pool, a special pair of goggles for visual impairment increases safety when exercising. An alternative to sports glasses are eye lasers and contact lenses. However, it should be noted that there is a higher risk of germs and water in the eye with contact lenses than with adapted swimming goggles.

Tip 4: Be sure to test the fit and wearing comfort

Important so that there are no annoyances later: Test the fit and comfort of the sports glasses. This is the only way to ensure that it does not slip and offers the highest possible safety. Adjustable nose pads and temples, for example, increase the wearing comfort of the glasses.

An elastic band on ski goggles or swimming goggles makes it easier to put the goggles on quickly. For spectacle wearers whose diopters change often, systems that allow interchangeable lenses are practicable. In this way, the glasses can be adapted to the respective conditions required. Therefore, be sure to test the glasses before buying and refrain from ordering online.

Tip 5: Prescription sports glasses can also be cool

Sports glasses are uncool? That’s not entirely true – manufacturers such as Oakely offer a collection with sports style. Spectacle wearers can choose between different glazing and frames.

Ultimately, however, sports glasses are not only about the look, but also about safety. The optimal eyewear model combines these aspects.

What are the alternatives to prescription sports glasses?

Depending on the sport, contact lenses are a possible alternative to sports glasses. Contact lenses reach their limits in sports involving physical contact. In endurance sports or equestrian sports, contact lenses have the advantage of eliminating the need for slipping glasses. In addition, there are contact lenses specially adapted for sports. However, contact lenses are no longer recommended for altitudes above 5,000 metres.

Glasses and contact lenses are out of the question for you when exercising? Laser eye surgery is a simple and painless procedure that completely eliminates the need for glasses and contact lenses. Laser eye surgery for athletes allows sharp vision without great risk or side effects. You can have your long-sightedness lasered.

The procedure itself only takes a few minutes and is possible with nearsightedness and farsightedness as well as visual defects such as corneal curvature and presbyopia.

Laser eye surgery Experience report in short-sightedness

Nico Auer is a passionate runner and was short-sighted until he had his eyes lasered by ophthalmologist Doctor-medic Bányai. Wondering if you are suitable for laser eye surgery? With our online eye laser aptitude test, you can find out in two minutes.