CLs for sport

Benefits of CLs over specs in sport

• Increased peripheral vision

• Decreased spatial distortion

• Increased depth perception

• No reflections, no glare

• Doesn’t slip/ fall/ become covered in rain/ sweat/ dust

• Normal goggles/ sunglasses/ protective eyewear can be worn on top

Prescription considerations

• for CL dryness/ dehydration use lens less prone to dryness (SiH), assess blink adequacy and suggest use of rewetting drops

• Fit CLs to maintain optimum physiology- SiH

• SCLs ideal for part time wearers

• Fit toric SCLs rather than GP CLs for contact/ high risk sports.

Modality decisions for sports CLs

Dailies: helps reduce risk of infection in high risk environments e.g. water sports.

Reduced cost of lost CL replacements

Advantages and disadvantages of RGP lenses for sports

Advantages:

• excellent VA achievable

• Minimal risk of infection

Disadvantages:

• not suitable for many sports: dynamic/ high risk/ contact sports

• Less convenient: solutions & lens cases needed, easy to lose, expensive to replace. Need to wear sports safety goggles if used

What are the guidelines to fitting RGP lenses for sports?

• Fit large diameter CLs (9.2-10.5mm) with superior lid attachment for improved stability

• Use large BOZD to reduce flare (e.g. 8.0mm)

• Fit slightly steep and avoid excessive edge lift for increased stability

• Dispense a spare in case of loss

• Maybe just use for sport and not daily

Orthokeratology for sports

Advantages:

• CLs worn overnight

• Convenient

• Good for water sports, contact sports, dry environments and athletes who want to be CL free on the field

Disadvantages:

• Limited Rx available: upto -5.00DS and -1.50DC

• Possible issues with sub optimal VA and reduced contrast sensitivity

Semi scleral/ scleral CLs for sport

• For irregular corneas, hard to fit eyes, dry eyes

• Similar comfort to SCLs

• Decentration is not an issue

• Minimal risk of infection

• High Dk GP materials

• Ideal for water sports

Disadvantage:

• Less convenient: solutions and case needed, very expensive to replace, sports safety goggles should be worn.

• Can be difficult to fit: labour intensive + expensive

Disposable and frequent replacement lenses for sports

Advantages:

• eliminate problems of soiled/ deposited CLs

• Maintain contrast sensitivity, VA, comfort, spare CLs, new CLs before competitions

Considerations for fitting CLs for winter sports

Environmental challenges: oxygen, wind, UV exposure, humidity

Considerations for fitting CLs for dynamic sports

• Large diameter SCLs are more stable

• Avoid corneal lenses

• Minimal movement without blur on blinking

• Stability in extreme positions of gaze

• Soft toric lenses require good rotational stability

Considerations for fitting CLs for contact sports

• Large soft CLs for stability

• Avoid rigid CLs

• No specs

• Recommend eye protection

• Good centration

• Minimal movement

• Orthok as an alternative?

Considerations for fitting CLs for speed sports

• CL stability is critical

• Possibly a tighter fit

• SCLs preferred

• Dryness can be exaggerated by speed

• Orthok may be a good alternative

Considerations for fitting CLs for indoor sports

• Problem with dryness?

• Reduced contrast sensitivity

• Consider using CL lubricant

• Recommend disposable/ frequent replacement

Considerations for fitting CLs for water sports

• Avoid traditional GP CLs if possible- easy to lose

• Orthok + scleral are good alternatives

• Fit larger TD

• Disposables preferred if soft

• Carry spare CLs/ specs