Most sports are played outside. Sportsmen and women know to take care of their skin by putting on sunblock to block out the harmful UV rays. Not everyone realizes they eyes need as much protection from the sun as the skin does.
Failure to protect your eyes from the effects of harmful UV rays can result in life-changing eye conditions. The radiation from the ultraviolet rays is causally linked to cataracts and ocular tumors. Another threat is photokeratitis. This is the result of a ‘sunburn’ of the eye. It can cause long-term corneal damage.
For those who play sport on a casual basis, your regular sunglasses will do. However, for professionals or amateurs who spend a lot of time outdoors playing sport, sports sunglasses will offer you the best protection.
When you’re buying sports sunglasses, take your eyewear prescription into consideration. If you wear prescription lenses, you’ll need to consult your optician. The sports sunglasses’ lenses can be made to accommodate your prescription. A lot of sportspeople prefer to wear contact lenses if it’s possible and a non-prescription pair of sports sunglasses.
The lenses for sunglasses used in sport come with different tints. This makes certain colors stand out against a background. The frames may differ to allow for the nature of the sport.
If you play any of these sports, you should look into buying a good pair of sports sunglasses. There are different options to explore. Different sports require different sunglasses.
People who participate in these sports need to get a good pair of sports sunglasses:
- Cycling
Cycling is a sport that demands a sturdy pair of sunglasses. They are a wrap-around shape to prevent dust and debris reaching the eyes. The glasses should have anti-fog properties.
Perspiration from intense cycling can cause the lenses to fog up. This can result in an accident due to impaired vision. The speeds cyclists travel at are such that the debris in the air scratches the lenses. It’s advisable to make sure the lenses for sunglasses are coated with anti-scratch protection.
- Fishing
Anglers spend a good deal of their time in the brutal sun as they fish in competitions. They should wear polarized sunglasses. They protect the eyes from the glare of the sun. This glare is most intense when the sun is shining on a body of water.
To make the sunglasses even more effective, it’s advised that fishermen have their lenses treated with an additional anti-reflective coating. Wrap-around frames are advised to protect the eyes from all angles from the sun.
- Baseball or cricket
Both these ball games require their players to take up fielding positions. The ball travels a distance in the air before the fielder can catch it. That means staring into the sky while watching the ball.
Sometimes, they are looking almost directly at the sun. Polarized sunglasses with shatterproof lenses are necessary. Selective filtering can make the contrast of the ball with the sky brighter allowing the fielder to see the ball more clearly.
- Golf
Golfers spend their time walking a course as they play their 18 holes. There is a lot of light contrast in golf. The player is moving between areas of shade and direct sunlight all the time.
Sunglasses should be photochromic. They control the light the golfer is exposed to. They become lighter in the shade and darker in the sun. Copper-tinted lenses for sunglasses are effective for golfers. They make the white golf ball stand out in contrast to the blue sky and green grass.
- Skiing and other snow sports
The reflection of the sun’s rays on the white snow on the slopes can be very harmful to your eyes. It is bright to the point that it may feel blinding. A good pair of wrap-around sunglasses or ski goggles is a must.
Snow sports sunglass lenses must be polarized to protect your eyes from the UV rays. Mirror-coated lenses further reduce the glare. An amber or rose tint can help the sportsperson see the bumps and grooves in the snow surface. This allows them to compensate and react quickly.
- Tennis
When playing tennis on an outdoor court, sports sunglasses are advised. Wrap-around frames are best. They protect the top and side of the eyes from the UV rays, not just the front of the eyes.
Polycarbonate lenses are the best. They are lightweight and highly impact-resistant. Lens tints can enhance yellow, which makes it easier for the player to track the ball as it moves in the air.