Investment in golf clubs, skiing kit, diving gear, running shoes, bikes and expensive gym membership are non-negotiable for many, but are practices providing the ultimate accessory for boosting sporting prowess?
Eyecare can transform performance for any sport – eye protection from hazards, plus optimum corrective vision – as ABDO’s President Kevin Gutsell explains the opportunities for dispensing:
“According to Sport England’s latest Active Lives Adult Survey Report, published in 2024, the number of people participating in sports and physical activity has reached record levels. Between November 2023 and November 2024, 63.7% of adults—about 30 million people—met the Chief Medical Officers’ guideline of at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week. This represents an increase of more than 2.4 million since the survey began in 2016. As a result, there are now more individuals who may require, or benefit from, specialised eyewear to support their sporting activities and protect their eyes.
“There are many frames, lenses and coatings available which are designed to enhance the experience of the professional or amateur athlete. It is often the visual task analysis, carried out by the optician, which uncovers an important requirement and one for which knowledge of the activity and product is vital.”
Thousands of sports eyewear products will be displayed at 100% Optical, thanks to the OSA member companies who are investing in optical practices’ futures at Excel (28 Feb-2 March).
Mainline Optical Connections’ Product Manager Lee Elvidge says “athletes need confidence in their vision, comfort and a secure fit, plus sun protection when needed. Our Leader Sports eyewear is about far more than appearance; it is essential equipment for athletes who demand clear vision, lasting comfort, and dependable eye protection.”
Leader sports frames are purpose-built for prescription users, even during high-impact or fast-paced activity with an innovative semi-rimless prescription clip system.
“Leader Sports Eyewear empowers the dispensing optician to add value through expert frame selection, lens specification, and precise fitting. Frames can be customised to suit a specific sport, prescription, and viewing angle. Performance-enhancing tints or clips, sun or photochromic solutions, enhanced protective features and bespoke combinations, that cannot be achieved with off-the-shelf products, are all available,” added Lee.
Deepcove has great window dressing material available to inspire the conversations about sports eyewear. Their distribution of the No Code collection by the Rudy Project has the answers “for those who need vision correction and want to switch from everyday life to sports activities, without giving up on comfort and style”, says Managing Director Roland Allen. The No Code collection transforms a prescription frame into a sports sunglass, with an innovative overlay and nosepiece lock which is promoted as being good for running, cycling and trekking.
Traders and Makers will be promoting St Moritz sports sunglasses by Vasuma Eyewear. The lightweight, secure fit, unisex frames, paired with high contrast mirror sun lenses are designed for runners, cyclists and skiers.
Category-3 mirror lenses with anti-reflective coating deliver clear vision and 100% UV protection, shielding from harmful UVA and UVB rays. The lenses are anti-scratch, protective, and optimized for high contrast. Cylindrical base-6 mask design uses anti-scratch CZ lenses crafted from unbreakable polycarbonate—ten times more impact-resistant than plastic or glass—providing top-tier protection, says the company.
evil eye from Silhouette, is launching Speedsense in the UK, following its success as a winner at last year’s Silmo D’Or –
“Designed for personal bests, built for the toughest distances, Speedsense meets the need for constant change of triathlon competing,” says the company.
“From the water to the bike, from cycling to running, from an aerodynamic riding position to an upright stride: Varying speeds, shifting light conditions, and constantly changing head positions push athletes and their equipment to the limit. Speedsense is engineered for these demands.”
The new ventilation system directs air behind the lens, ensuring optimal circulation without creating uncomfortable draughts, says the company. “Moisture is effectively dispersed, fogging is prevented, and vision stays crystal clear, even under peak strain.”
The ultralightweight frame provides temple traction grip ensuring a secure, pressure-free fit, even in sweat or rain. Available in two sizes, the eyewear adapts to virtually any head shape and stays exactly where it belongs.
Eyespace’s Defender collection is defined by lightweight materials and comfort. Designed with stability and durability in mind, these frames, which each feature silicone-wrapped skull-fit temples, offer a secure, comfortable fit suited to active lifestyles.
Rodenstock’s ability to tailor lenses to your patient’s biometry, visual sensitivity and the demands of specific sports, comes with the Rodenstock’s B.I.G. EXACT® Sensitive Impression® Sport lens. Marketing Director, Lucy Hunt, explained –
“You’ll benefit from extra-large, balanced viewing ranges and a near-vision zone adapted to the specific activity – running in the rain, cycling through woods, playing golf in bright sun, or hiking in rugged terrain. These lenses are built to support a broad range of sports and activities with unmatched comfort.
“Progressive and single-vision options provide optimisation of the entire lens surface at every viewing point. The dispensing process uses refraction data, eye biometry, personal visual sensitivity, visual acuity, and the measured real position of wear of the frame. Large, symmetrical fields of vision, adapted to your eye measurements and frame fit, ensure maximum peripheral clarity and stable wear,” she added.
CentroStyle’s Sport Protection Rx line frames protect against high-speed impacts, as verified by Certottica tests for field of vision, particle resistance, and side protection. Optical evaluations ensure minimal light diffusion, stable transmission, and resistance to UV and refractive errors, says the company.
Adjustable temple tips can be swopped for an elastic strap in one click, ensuring a secure fit during vigorous activity. Soft-touch rubber inserts enhance comfort and shock absorption, while the nylon frame and polycarbonate lenses (1.59 index) deliver lightweight durability.
Fogging is combatted via integrated ventilation and anti-fog treatments. Lenses boast impact resistance, reducing aberrations for wrap-around vision. Multi-layer coatings include anti-reflection for glare reduction, curing for scratch protection, superhydrophobic for water/dirt repellence, and antistatic for cleanliness.
100% Optical has the answers for all your sporting patients – and the opportunity to become the go-to practice for the entire local team and club.
Issued for OSA
20.1.26