Vision impairments (VI) are becoming more common across the board. Globally, health experts estimate that about 2.2 billion people have some level of VI. In the US alone, over 50 million Americans over the age of 18 experience a degree of vision loss. Unfortunately, studies show that poor vision is often a cause for inactivity. In the long run, this increases a person’s risk of developing a chronic disease like diabetes and heart disease by up to 50%.
As it happens, though, running is one of the most ideal exercises for those with vision problems. Because it’s a non-contact sport that can be done on controlled paths and surfaces, it doesn’t pose as many physical threats as other workouts may for those who have sight-related vulnerabilities. Having said this, because running still does require a degree of exertion and exposure, it’s important for new participants to prep their eye care routine accordingly. Here are a few ways how:
Wear well-fitting corrective glasses
While your current pair of trusty glasses may work well for everyday casual use, they’re likely not going to hold up to the demands of running. Even if you’re just starting out, the constant movement plus the extra sweat and grime that comes with running can take its toll on your eyewear. As such, try using performance eyeglasses instead. On brands like Oakley, these prescription specs make use of frames that are designed to fit securely during workouts. Designed to work with different head sizes, face shapes, and nose bridges, these glasses won’t fall off or dislodge. Additionally, these are made with lightweight materials that are not going to dig into the skin, meaning they are not at risk of feeling painful even during extended periods of use.
Invest in the right sun protection
If you’re planning on running outdoors, note that sun exposure can worsen existing issues or even trigger new ones. For instance, cataracts can develop due to repeated UV penetration that causes the proteins to build up. Meanwhile, eye strain can worsen under the sun’s duress as it affects how well the organ self-lubricates. With this in mind, consider buying some prescription sunglasses. Available from LensCrafters, these offer UV protection and vision correction, so you don’t have to keep switching back and forth between your regular glasses and standard sunnies. This ensures that no matter how the weather may shift through your run, your eyes will stay clear and comfortable without any hassle.
Consider specialty contact lenses
Of course, in the event that you prefer to use contact lenses, then it helps to look into ones made specifically with outdoor elements in mind. Specifically, contacts with special filters that can protect you from factors like UV rays are helpful, given the dangers of sun damage, as detailed earlier. Nowadays, you can find these types of contact lenses from various brands. Previously, Nike even released a line of special UV-blocking contacts. These came with a distinct red tint that was meant to help with color perception and detail. Among more widely sold brands, though, manufacturers like Alcon are known to use UV filters for their daily and monthly contact lenses.