There is a little professional athlete inside all of us. Our competitive nature comes out with friends, colleagues and family reunions. But in order to perform at your best, you must have clear, comfortable vision in all lighting conditions. Our eyes tend to lead our actions.

Athletic eyewear begins with a routine eye health and vision examination with an optometrist. Your optometrist can help determine if corrective lenses are required or if you have any oculomotor (eye movement) problems holding you back from peak performance. Your eye doctor can also suggest vision correction solutions based on your eye health, lifestyle and activities. One pair of eyeglasses or sunglasses may not be adequate for everything.

Sports eyewear can help prevent blunt trauma or injuries and improve visual comfort. Eyewear can also be sport-specific, and we’ve provided a few helpful hints to consider when shopping for your new eyewear.

Running Glasses

Look for eyewear that will not easily slip down your nose when you sweat or bounce when you run. Running eyewear must be comfortable for long distances and offer 100% UV protection. Trail runners should look for shatter-resistant lenses to protect their eyes from tree branches (ask for polycarbonate or trivex/phoenix lenses).

Cycling Glasses

Look for polarized sunglasses to help cut down road glare and improve the visibility of potholes and obstacles. The frames must provide adequate protection from the wind and elements, especially when leaning forward on the bike. They should fit seamlessly and comfortably under your helmet. Non-polarized sunglasses tend to be more favourable for mountain biking as they produce more consistent shadows during dynamic movements.

Golf Glasses

Look for polarized sunglasses that do not cause peripheral distortions. These distortions can make it difficult to read the greens for proper ball movement. Low quality, high wrap frames and lenses are not an option. Look for quality sunglass brands worn by the professionals on tour.

Fishing Glasses

See what you’re trying to catch by wearing polarized sunglasses. These lenses will knock out the glare from the water’s surface and allow you to see into the water.

Racket Sports

Squash, racketball and tennis are high-velocity sports that require properly fit athletic eyewear. There are numerous potential causes for an eye injury during a typical match; from the ball, the racket or another player. Once again, look for shatter-resistant lenses to protect your eyes, and safety frames designed to withstand high impact. Consider a headband or strap to ensure that the eyewear does not move.