You train for speed, strength, precision—and then sabotage your performance with blurry vision, fogged-up lenses, or a contact lens that decides to ghost you mid-play. It happens more than you think.
Whether you’re a competitive athlete or just trying to keep up with your rec league squad, vision isn’t something to overlook. In fact, choosing the right eyewear for sports might be the most underrated performance move you make this season. But how do you decide between glasses and contacts—and what about prescription sports goggles?
At St. Clair Eye Clinic, we help athletes at every level make that call. Here’s what you need to know to see (and play) your best—no guesswork, no gimmicks.
Eye Protection in Sports
When it comes to high-impact sports, protecting your eyes should be a top priority. The CDC emphasizes that over 40% of eye injuries occur during sports activities. From basketball to baseball, protective eyewear can be the difference between a fun game and a trip to the emergency room.
Whether you’re playing in a contact sport or an activity where flying objects pose a risk, safety glasses, goggles, and other protective gear are essential.
The Case for Glasses
Let’s start with the obvious: glasses are reliable. They’re easy to wear, don’t require touching your eyes, and advancements in lens technology (think anti-fog coatings and lightweight frames) have made them more sport-friendly than they used to be.
However, in high-contact or fast-paced sports—basketball, soccer, even tennis—glasses can be a liability. They fog up, bounce around, and can break under pressure (and we don’t just mean emotionally).
That said, for low-impact activities like golf, archery, or casual jogging, sports-specific glasses can work just fine. They even offer an added layer of protection. Just don’t expect them to perform like high-performance gear when the stakes are high.
The Case for Contacts
Contacts? Now we’re talking agility. They move with your eyes. They don’t fog up, slip off, or limit your peripheral vision. In sports that demand precision—like volleyball, hockey, or martial arts—contacts give athletes a serious competitive advantage.
Daily disposables are especially ideal for athletes. They’re hygienic, convenient, and there’s no stress about losing one mid-game (just pop in a new one). They’re also compatible with helmets, goggles, and protective eyewear.
The only catch? Contacts require care and clean hands. And let’s not forget about dry eyes—a common issue for contact lens wearers. Fortunately, dry eye treatments at St. Clair Eye Clinic can help alleviate discomfort and get you back to feeling great on the field.
You can learn more about contact lenses for sports and how they give you the flexibility to focus solely on your performance here.
What the Pros Know (That You Might Not)
Elite athletes don’t leave vision to chance. They treat it like a piece of gear—as essential as their shoes, their racquet, or their stick. Serena, LeBron, Ronaldo—none of them are guessing when it comes to eyesight. They work with specialists, get fitted lenses, use performance eyewear, and fine-tune their vision like it’s a skill. Because it is.
You might not have a Nike contract or a personal trainer, but your eyes still deserve that level of attention. Whether you’re competing for a scholarship, crushing your weekend league, or just trying to stay on your feet during rec soccer, your vision is a game-changer. And it deserves better than a half-decent guess at the optometry aisle.
At St. Clair Eye Clinic, we bring that pro-level precision to you. Because seeing clearly isn’t optional—it’s strategic.
Not Sure What’s Best? Ask Yourself This
Sometimes the right choice isn’t about what’s trending—it’s about what fits you. If you’re still caught in the contacts vs. glasses debate, take a step back and get honest about your habits and needs.
- Do you sweat a lot or play outdoors? Contacts might give you the edge—no fog, no slipping.
- Do you have allergies or dry eyes? Contacts could make that worse unless you go with daily disposables.
- Are you okay with putting something in your eye? Be real. If not, glasses or goggles might be the smarter move.
- Are you in a high-impact sport? Skip the risks. Glasses can break, contacts can pop out. Goggles may be your hero.
Still unsure? Choosing the right lenses for your lifestyle is key, and we’re here to help. Our team doesn’t just prescribe lenses—we assess your sport, your routine, and your eye health to help you decide what’ll actually work for your life, not someone else’s.
Long-Term Vision: Don’t Sacrifice Health for Hype
We get it—contacts look cooler. No one wants to show up to a game looking like they borrowed their dad’s bifocals. But sports vision isn’t just about what works today—it’s about preserving your eyes for tomorrow.
Improper lens hygiene? That’s a fast track to infections, dryness, and long-term irritation. Wearing non-prescription goggles off Amazon? You’re rolling the dice with your peripheral vision—and your safety.
At St. Clair Eye Clinic, we’re not here to sell you on the trend. We’re here to protect your vision for the long haul. Whether you’re chasing Olympic dreams or just want to make it through pickup hockey without a scratched cornea, we’ll set you up with the right fit, the right lens, and a game plan that actually supports your eyes—not just your image.
Vision Isn’t Just Physical
Clear vision isn’t just about what you see, it’s about how you think. When you’re constantly adjusting your glasses or second-guessing your depth perception, it chips away at your focus. You’re not just fighting your opponent—you’re fighting distraction.
Contacts tend to fade into the background, giving your brain one less thing to process. You’re free to stay locked in, anticipate moves, and react without hesitation. For athletes working on speed, flow, or strategic gameplay, that kind of mental clarity is gold.
And let’s not ignore the confidence factor. Athletes perform better when they feel prepared. If you’re stepping onto the field knowing your vision is dialed in—that’s power. That’s control. That’s one less excuse.
What About Prescription Sports Goggles?
Ah yes, the underrated middle child. Not quite glasses, not quite contacts—just rugged, unapologetically functional. Prescription sports goggles have come a long way from their awkward 90s reputation. Today, they’re designed for speed, sweat, and impact, with wraparound styles and shatter-resistant lenses that actually look good.
For athletes who need maximum protection (we see you, rugby players and snowboarders), goggles are a smart move. They eliminate the contact lens maintenance factor, keep your vision sharp, and won’t quit on you mid-match. They’re also the go-to for younger athletes—especially kids who aren’t quite ready for contacts but are tired of sitting out or playing cautiously because of glasses.
Bottom line: if you’re serious about performance and protection, it’s worth asking us about your prescription sports eyewear options. We fit them, we customize them, and no—they don’t have to look ridiculous.
Cost & Care
Let’s talk money—and maintenance. Because while your vision is priceless, your eyewear definitely isn’t.
Contacts can seem like the pricier option up front, especially if you’re using dailies. But they’re also flexible. You can wear them just for games, ditch them during off-season, and avoid the costs that come with broken or bent frames. The trade-off? You do have to stay on top of hygiene. No shortcuts. No sleeping in them unless you love eye infections.
Glasses, on the other hand, are a one-time investment—until you sit on them. Or they get cracked during practice. Or you realize your prescription changed six months ago and you’ve been playing in soft-focus ever since.
The truth? It’s less about which option is cheaper, and more about which one fits your lifestyle (and how well you take care of your gear). If you’re the type who loses things weekly, maybe don’t rely on daily lenses alone. If you’re disciplined with routine and like a no-fuss fix? Contacts could be your go-to gamechanger.
Our Take? Vision Is Personal. So Is Sport.
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer—and any optometrist who tells you otherwise is selling something. At St. Clair Eye Clinic, we focus on your vision, your sport, and your lifestyle. We offer personalized fittings, custom lens recommendations, and expert advice on what works best for you. And if you’re torn between the two? Many athletes use a combination—contacts for the field, glasses for the ride home.
Want help making the call? Book an eye exam in Toronto with us today. We’ll make sure your vision is as sharp as your game.
Still unsure? Don’t play the season in the dark.
Book a contact lens fitting with St. Clair Eye Clini and get expert guidance tailored to your game, your eyes, and your goals. We’ll help you weigh the pros, cons, costs, and comfort factors—then fit you with the eyewear that actually keeps up.
Because the best athletes don’t leave their vision to chance—and neither should you.