There is no doubt in our minds eye that contacts are a huge advantage. In the sporting sphere, this is emphasised much more in the pursuit of glory. Contact lenses can have the ability aid and assist individuals to perform on a much higher level.
This is because for many footballers, the lenses sit perfectly on the eye. As a result it gives the user a more all round perfect view of the field. When it comes to the men in the middle, referees have a hard time of it as we know.
Will Smith may not literally be in sight but these men in black do come in for some stick. Perhaps its time they take to the hallowed turf with a pair of lenses? Split second decisions are often taken by the likes of Mike Dean and Martin Atkinson. Yet, they can sometimes get things wrong which can cost a team the match. Football can sometimes come down to a matter of luck but there are ways to overcome specific sight issues.
For tennis players, contact lenses offer a much greater all round vision which many utilise. Take for example Serbian superstar Novak Djokovic. The multi grand slam winner has been the best player in the world for the last few years. His tennis super powers knows no limits but with more than half a dozen titles under his belt, he is also a fan of disposable contacts.
Although there has been some footballers such as Edgar Davids who have used sport goggles, lenses can certainly help (Paul Scholes is a known contacts wearer.) When it comes to contact lenses, there are two distinct materials to choose from. In the first instance, there is soft silicone lens, whilst other prefer a tougher plastic.
There are of course pros and cons to both types of lenses. On the one hand, soft lenses are considered to be an excellent cost effective solution. On top of this, they provide a greater degree of comfort for players.
On the other hand, durable lenses are much more rigid and they have to be worn in accordingly. They are a teeny bit pricer but many choose their own, whilst some don’t get a choice in the lens roulette. So what type of lenses are more suitable as far as the beautiful game is concerned?
Many tend to opt for the soft lens option as they are much more suited to football. Rigid lenses sometimes are more prone to not staying in place especially during the 90 minutes. Softer lenses are though not only thin but applied with consummate ease compared to their tougher brothers. But what are some of the main reasons why these multi-million pound players rely on a soft little lens?
4. Astigmatism
This particular condition is quite common and often is directly linked to the cornea. Depending on which kind of lens someone goes with it really helps to improve their sight. So what do we know about this minor eye disease? It can cause many obstructions such as blurred vision and often takes place when the cornea is an irregular shape.
Astigmatism takes its place in the refractive errors group. This can contain other minor eye issues from short to long sightedness. If footballers don’t treat this and carry on with their no nonsense attitude then it can lead to various problems. If left, astigmatism can cause tiredness and even severe eye strain. Blurred vision is not ideal when playing as a player will not be able to pass, shoot or tackle without proper vision. As a result, a soft lens will ensure that the astigmatism is corrected.
In addition to this, it will ensure they receive much higher levels of oxygen to the eye area. This is precisely the reason why a host of footballers with this related disease use contacts in order to alleviate any vision which may need correction.
3. Concentration
There are those professionals who wear lenses for a greater level of concentration. After all, when a footballer is involved in a high paced game they need to be on top of things. If someone cannot see properly or cannot function normally it will decrease their abilities.
Consequently, some like wearing contacts as they can concentrate more on the playing aspect. Football is not simply about 22 men on a field kicking a ball. Lenses can improve a player’s performance in this most fast paced of sports which often requires focus.
This ranges from a goalkeeper pitting his wits against an opponent from the penalty spot or a midfielder picking out a pass. Having the perfect eyesight is of paramount importance and sometimes can be the different between winning and losing.
2. Brightness
For some footballers, being in the spotlight is not enough. With the lights shining down on them and blanket coverage in the press, some struggle with that old foe. Floodlights can be detrimental to a player’s vision.
With more games played under floodlights, some struggle coming to terms with night games. It has a negative effect on some footballers who are unable to concentrate in such bright conditions. Therefore, many switch to contacts in order to purse their goal. Some players have decided enough is enough and have switched to lenses for an improved visual experience.
1. Safety
Be it split second timing or just a necessity as a means to protect themselves, safety is just as high on the agenda. If a footballers dons a pair of specs or goggles, he increases the likelihood of injury. This can be in an altercation with a hard nosed defender or even with a goalkeeper.
The injury risk increases as football is a contact sport. With players throwing themselves about as much as a sumo wrestler, the weight of expectation can be extremely heavy. Breaking lenses can cause potential damage to the face and in effect can put off some players.
When a player adopts contact lenses the danger of doing any damage is minimal. They are safe to wear and are preferable to many players in the game today.
