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What Is the Best Type of Vision Correction for Working Out?

Good eyesight plays a vital role in the life of an active individual. Whether working out for sports or staying fit, visual skills, such as acuity, depth perception, peripheral vision, and contrast sensitivity, are essential for achieving your target goals. 

That’s why investing in your health, including your eye vision, is just as crucial as getting the ideal fitness gear for your workout activities. 

There are various vision correction options for active people. But if you wear glasses, you probably know they are not perfect, at least for vigorous workout activities, such as jogging, running, and jumping. Luckily, eyeglasses are only one among other vision correction options at your disposal. 

If you’re tired of breaking eyeglasses or dealing with foggy lenses at unsafe times, your optometrist may recommend any of the vision correction methods described below.

Eyeglasses Alternatives for Active People 

Contact Lenses 

You probably understand what contact lenses are. These are thin, plastic lenses that people with vision problems stick on the surface of the eye. Simply known as contacts, these revolutionary medical devices are used to correct vision problems due to refractive errors, such as; 

• Myopia (shortsightedness)
• Hyperopia (farsightedness)
• Presbyopia 
• Astigmatism 

Contact lenses serve the same purpose as eyeglasses but have several advantages that favor people who participate in intense activities. 

The most obvious benefit of contact lenses is that they don’t limit your peripheral vision like eyeglasses with thick frames do. Because you wear them inside, contact lenses leave your field of view intact but with sharper views- a crucial advantage when working out or participating in sports. 

Besides better vision, contacts are a much better vision correction because they won’t be bumping up and down with every jump. And they won’t dampen your zeal for a serious workout with fogging as eyeglasses do. With contacts, you can hit the gym or hiking trail for a good sweat session without realizing that you have your lenses on. 

After exercising, it’s advisable to remove the contacts and rewet the eyes before wearing a fresh pair of lenses. If you exercise regularly, dailies may be a convenient option because the hassle of cleaning, disinfecting, and storing is eliminated. Simply remove and toss them after the workout session and put on a fresh pair, or go back to your prescription eyeglasses. 

Some people worry that their contact lenses will fall out during exercise. While this is possible, they are far less likely to do so than your eyeglasses. Read on to learn more about the best daily contact lenses. 

LASIK 

LASIK is an acronym for Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis and is a type of laser vision correction approved by the FDA in 1999. LASIK is one of the most effective options for correcting common eye problems, particularly those caused by refractive errors, including astigmatism, longsightedness, and shortsightedness. 

LASIK works by permanently changing the shape of the cornea (the transparent outer layer covering the pupil). The surgical process aims to enable the cornea to focus light on the retina correctly. 

Most people wishing freedom from eyeglasses and contacts are hesitant to go the LASIK route because it involves laser surgery. This fear is understandable. But there’s nothing to worry about because LASIK is a fairly quick and painless procedure with a success rate of 94% to 100%. 

During LASIK surgery, your surgeon numbs your eyes using anesthetic drops and then uses a laser to cut and reshape the cornea. LASIK surgery takes 30 minutes or less, and the results are immediate and permanent. 

Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK) Eye Surgery 

Photorefractive Keratectomy is another type of eye vision surgery used to correct refractive errors and eliminate or lower reliance on eyeglasses and contact lenses. While LASIK and PRK surgeries are performed on the cornea, they are slightly different. 

With PRK, the surgeon will use a laser or blade to remove the thin outer layer of the cornea called the epithelium. Next, the surgeon uses a laser to reshape subsequent cornea layers to fix the irregular curvature. After the surgery, your surgeon will place a contact lens on your eye to act as a bandage for around four days to allow the epithelial layer to heal. 

Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK) is a relatively short outpatient surgery and lasts 10-15 minutes for both eyes. You won’t be able to drive yourself back home after the surgery. Also, you may experience some discomfort and mild pain for the first one or two days. But there’s a shallow risk of complications post-operation because the epithelial cells regrow naturally. 

Unlike LASIK, PRK does not leave you with a flap that is likely to be moved during physical activity. That’s why Photorefractive Keratectomy is the most preferred surgical vision correction by people who do a lot of physical activity. 

If you are going to opt for a type of vision correction such as this, you may decide it is important to have some help. There are a lot of ways you can get that help, and one of the best places to look is with a broker. Vision brokers are incredibly useful when it comes to improving your vision correction and ensuring you are able to get the right kind, as well as the appropriate solution for your needs.

However you do it, though, just make sure that you are getting the right approach for you.

Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE) Surgery 

Refractive Lens Exchange is also known as Lens Replacement Surgery. Just like it sounds, this is a procedure used to correct vision problems caused by the eye’s lens. Refractive Lens Exchange is used to correct astigmatism, nearsightedness, and shortsightedness in patients who don’t qualify for LASIK and PRK. 

During RLE surgery, the surgeon gives you a mild sedative and numbs your eye using anesthetic eye drops. Next, you sit under a microscope where the surgeon makes a small opening in the eye to reach the lens. Next, the surgeon uses an ultrasound probe to dislodge the lens from the eye. The natural lens is then replaced with an artificial lens called Intraocular Lens (IOL). 

The surgical procedure itself takes less than thirty minutes. However, you should plan for two to three hours for pre-op preparation and post-op recovery. 

Refractive Lens Exchange is mainly recommended for people over 40 years who are experiencing early signs of cataract development. However, younger individuals who don’t qualify for other laser vision correction methods may also be eligible. 

Numerous RLE studies prove its safety and effectiveness. However, because it’s done inside the eye, its side effects tend to be more serious than in superficial procedures. But these side effects are easily treatable using medication or additional surgery when they occur. 

Last Updated on November 9, 2022