Can You Workout With Contacts? Expert Guide for Lens Wearers

Yes, you can workout with contacts! You're not alone in asking this question. The rise of fitness apps shows how much people care about staying active while maintaining good vision. Half of all US smartphone users have downloaded at least one fitness app. Americans proved their commitment to fitness by spending over $10 billion on exercise equipment in 2015.

Contact lenses give you the most important advantages over glasses during workouts. They won't fog up when you exercise hard or slide down your face as you sweat. Your contacts provide clear, crisp vision that enhances your depth perception and peripheral view. These benefits matter a lot if you play sports like basketball or soccer. Daily disposable lenses like ACUVUE OASYS 1-Day with HydraLuxe help you stay comfortable throughout your workout sessions.

This piece covers everything about wearing contacts during physical activities. You'll learn what you need to know about swimming, running and other exercises. We'll share practical tips to keep your eyes healthy while you focus on reaching your fitness goals.

Why Contacts Are Better Than Glasses for Exercise

Athletes and fitness enthusiasts choose contact lenses over glasses, and with good reason too. You'll find contacts give you many advantages that make workouts safer and more fun, whether you're lifting weights, playing basketball, or going for a run.

No fogging or slipping during workouts

Glasses wearers hate it when their frames won't stay in place during exercise. Contacts fix this problem because they move with your eyes instead of sliding down your nose. They won't bounce around during intense movements or fall off when you change direction quickly.

Sweat creates another headache for people wearing glasses. Your glasses fog up as your body heats up during exercise. This blocks your vision - a dangerous situation when you need quick reactions. Contacts take care of this problem, giving you clear vision no matter how much you sweat.

The weather won't mess with your vision when you wear contacts. No rain drops will splash on your lenses, and you won't get any glare from sunlight bouncing off your glasses. This helps you stay focused on your performance rather than worrying about your eyewear.

Improved peripheral vision and field of view

Studies show contacts can boost your peripheral vision by about 15% compared to glasses. This extra awareness makes a big difference in sports where you need to track fast objects or opponents from the corner of your eye.

Contacts work better because they follow your eye's natural curve and correct your vision across your whole field of view. Glasses only work through their limited lens area, which can leave you with blind spots.

Your eyes always look through the center of contact lenses as they move. This beats looking through the edges of glasses, which can distort your vision. This means you'll judge distances better in sports like basketball when wearing contacts.

More compatible with helmets and safety gear

Contacts work much better for sports that need protective headgear. Glasses just don't fit right under football, hockey, or baseball helmets. Wearing both usually feels uncomfortable and less safe.

Contacts solve these problems completely. You can wear any safety gear you need without compromising your vision. This includes protective goggles - you can put non-prescription safety eyewear over your contacts to get both clear vision and eye protection.

Safety matters a lot too. A hit to the face during contact sports can break your glasses and hurt your eyes. Contacts remove this risk, making them safer for high-impact activities.

Eye care experts often recommend contacts specifically for athletes because they give clear vision without the drawbacks and dangers of glasses. Even if you like wearing glasses day-to-day, try contacts just for sports and workouts - many people do exactly this.

Are Contacts Safe for All Types of Workouts?

Contact lens safety varies by a lot depending on the type of workout you do. Not all exercises carry the same risks to contact lens wearers. You need to know these differences to make smart choices about your eye care during physical activities.

High-impact sports and contact lenses

Contact lenses are a great vision correction option for high-impact and contact sports. They won't break if something hits them, which makes them safer than glasses in activities where collisions might happen. Professional rugby, boxing, and football teams don't even allow players to wear eyeglasses on the field.

Soft contact lenses work really well for high-impact activities because they stay in place better during quick movements. A study in Eye & Contact Lens: Science & Clinical Practice shows that soft lenses can handle forces that are nowhere near what usually causes corneal abrasions.

You should pair your contacts with proper protective gear like face masks or sports goggles to stay safe during high-impact workouts. This mix gives you clear vision and keeps your eyes protected.

Can you play basketball with contacts?

Basketball players usually pick contact lenses over glasses because the game moves so fast. The quick turns, physical contact, and need to see everything around you make contacts the best choice.

Daily disposable lenses work great for basketball players. You don't have to clean them after a tough game since you throw them away after one use. Plus, losing a lens during rough play isn't a big deal.

Basketball causes more eye injuries than any other sport for 15-24 year olds. Eye protection matters a lot here. Using contacts with sports eyewear gives you the best setup - clear vision without worrying about broken glasses.

Water sports and the risk of infection

Contact lenses work well for most sports, but water activities can be risky. The FDA says you should never let contact lenses touch any kind of water. Swimming with contacts makes you much more likely to get eye infections, inflammation, and corneal ulcers.

Acanthamoeba poses the biggest threat - it's a tiny parasite that lives in pools, lakes, tap water, and even chlorinated water. This organism causes Acanthamoeba keratitis, a painful infection that:

• Takes very long to treat (sometimes more than a year)
• Could damage your eyesight
• Hits contact lens wearers especially hard

Chlorinated pools still have harmful bacteria, and water makes soft lenses swell up and stick to your eye. If you must wear contacts while swimming, put on tight waterproof goggles and throw away daily disposables right after swimming.

Can you run with contacts in?

Running with contact lenses is usually safe and better than wearing glasses. Runners face special problems though - wind, sweat, and stuff in the air can make lenses less comfortable.

Wind and heavy breathing can dry out your tears faster, which leads to dry eyes and blurry vision. Sweat dripping into your eyes irritates them and might push your lenses out during hard runs.

Tips for comfortable running with contacts:

• Get lenses that fit right from an eye doctor to keep them from moving around
• Use daily disposables so sweat doesn't build up on them
• Try silicone hydrogel materials that let your eyes breathe better during long runs
• Put on a sweatband or running cap to keep sweat out of your eyes

A basic headband helps by soaking up sweat before it hits your eyes - it's cheap and works really well for many athletes.

Best Types of Contact Lenses for Active Lifestyles

The right contact lenses can transform your workout experience and comfort level. Athletes and fitness enthusiasts have several lens options to choose from. Each type offers unique benefits that match your workout style and vision needs.

Daily disposable lenses

Athletes and fitness buffs love daily disposable lenses. You just throw them away after each use and start with a fresh pair the next day. These lenses don't need cleaning solutions or storage cases. They're perfect if you lead a busy, active lifestyle.

Daily disposables give you these workout advantages:

• Reduced infection risk – A new pair each day keeps eye infections away
• Optimal hygiene – No protein buildup or debris that you get with reusable lenses
• Convenience for sporadic wear – Perfect if you wear contacts just for workouts

Brands like Acuvue Oasys 1-Day with HydraLuxe and Dailies Total1 use advanced moisture technology. These lenses feel great, especially when you have dry or dusty workout conditions.

Soft contact lenses

Soft contacts are the go-to choice if you're active. Their flexible material molds to your eye's shape. You won't lose them during intense sports like basketball, football, or soccer.

These lenses stick well to your eyes and stay put through quick movements. Sports that need fast direction changes work great with soft lenses. They also give you excellent side vision—something you need for peak performance.

Modern soft lenses use materials like silicone hydrogel. This keeps your eyes comfortable and moist through the toughest training sessions while letting them breathe.

Rigid gas permeable lenses

Rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses might work better for some active people. Though they take time to get used to, RGPs give you sharper vision. This helps in activities where you need precise visual clarity.

These tough lenses let oxygen reach your cornea. This keeps your eyes healthy during long wear times. The initial comfort level might be lower than soft lenses, but many users end up preferring their crystal-clear vision.

RGPs might not suit high-impact sports since they can move around. They work best in moderate activities where sharp vision matters more than lens stability.

Toric lenses for astigmatism

If you have astigmatism and stay active, toric lenses could be your answer. These specialized lenses fix irregular cornea shapes while keeping your vision steady during workouts.

The design includes different powers to correct astigmatism-related vision problems. Special features keep the lenses from spinning when you move—vital for clear vision in dynamic sports.

Custom toric lenses often work best for athletes with astigmatism. Brands like Biofinity Toric lock in moisture and let your eyes breathe. This means comfort that lasts through your longest training sessions.

Your activity type, eye health, and personal needs determine the best contact lens choice. A chat with your eye doctor helps find the perfect match for your active lifestyle.

Tips to Keep Your Eyes Healthy While Working Out

Your eye health needs as much attention as your workout form when exercising. Good contact lens care during workouts will give a comfortable experience and help you avoid problems that could disrupt your fitness routine.

Use lubricating eye drops

Contact lens wearers who keep taking them during exercise need rewetting drops. Your eyes lose moisture naturally while working out, especially when you sweat a lot. Eye drops made for contact lenses help keep your eyes moist and comfortable throughout your workout.

You'll find great options like Biotrue Hydration Boost Contact Lens Rehydrating Drops that moisturize for up to eight hours. Blink Intensive Tears Vials work well with contacts too. These products stop deposits from building up on your lenses and match your natural tears' pH balance.

Put in 1-2 drops before heavy workouts and blink a few times to spread the moisture. This quick habit helps fight dryness from air exposure or weather conditions during outdoor runs.

Avoid rubbing your eyes

Contact lens wearers must follow one key rule - never rub your eyes while working out. Yes, it is dangerous because you can transfer bacteria and viruses from your hands to your eyes and get infections. You might also move your lenses out of place, make them fold, or scratch your cornea.

If you rub your eyes often, the collagen in your eyelids gets weaker and can cause drooping and wrinkles. Use a clean cloth to pat away sweat or wear a sweatband that keeps sweat from getting in your eyes.

Carry backup lenses and solution

Smart contact lens wearers pack these items for their workouts:

• Spare contact lenses
• Travel-sized cleaning solution
• Lens case
• Lubricating eye drops

This backup kit is a great way to get ready if a lens moves or feels uncomfortable during exercise. A small pouch with these supplies helps you handle any eye problems without stopping your workout.

Take breaks during long sessions

Long workouts usually make your eyes tired and dry. Quick breaks let your eyes recover and get back their moisture. You can take out your lenses briefly during water breaks if you're exercising for a long time.

Daily disposables might work better for marathon training or all-day sports events. You can switch to fresh lenses halfway through to keep your vision clear and comfortable.

When to Consider Alternatives Like Sports Glasses

Contact lenses have many advantages if you have an active lifestyle. Yet some situations need special alternatives. You need to know when to switch from contacts to sports glasses. This knowledge will protect your eyes and make your workouts better.

Medical conditions that limit contact lens use

Several eye conditions can make wearing contact lenses uncomfortable or risky. People's eyes with severe dry eye syndrome often struggle with contacts. The lenses can make dryness worse by reducing moisture on the eye's surface. People who have keratoconus (progressive corneal thinning) might find it hard to correct their vision with contacts as their condition gets worse.

You should avoid contact lenses until you fully recover from eye infections or inflammation. Contact wear becomes uncomfortable during allergy flare-ups and leads to more irritation. A proper lens fit might be challenging if you have corneal irregularities or scarring.

Exercising with glasses: pros and cons

Regular glasses offer some workout benefits. They keep dust and debris away from your eyes. Your infection risk goes down since you don't need to touch your eyes as much. However, ordinary eyeglasses aren't suitable for sports—they can break during impact and might cause more harm than good.

Working out with regular glasses has its downsides. They jostle around during movement, limit your side vision, and fog up in cold weather. Your glasses tend to move when you run, spin, jump, or make other dynamic movements. This makes it hard to keep good eye-body coordination.

Prescription sports goggles as an option

Prescription sports goggles are a great solution if you can't wear contacts. These special goggles wrap around your eyes. They protect against wind, dust, mud, flying objects, and UV radiation while helping you see clearly.

High-quality prescription sports goggles meet or exceed ASTM F803 standards. Their impact-resistant polycarbonate lenses reduce your risk of eye injury by a lot. Sports goggles' shatterproof lenses are designed for safety, unlike regular glasses that can break upon impact.

Sports goggles work exceptionally well for water activities like swimming or surfing. You should never wear contacts in water. These goggles help you see clearly underwater and protect your eyes from chlorine or salt water irritation.

Conclusion

Contact lenses work better than glasses for most types of exercise. We've seen why contacts give you better performance when you work out - no foggy lenses and better side vision. Daily disposables are a great choice if you're active. They're convenient and lower your risk of infections.

Your safety needs change based on the type of workout you do. Contacts work great for high-impact sports and running. Swimming needs extra care because water exposure can lead to infections. The best lens type for you - soft lenses, rigid gas permeable, or toric lenses for astigmatism - depends on your workout style and eye health.

Good eye care matters when you exercise. Using preservative-free drops, keeping your hands away from your eyes, and having backup supplies helps you stay comfortable during workouts. Your eyes also need rest breaks during long sessions.

Contacts are great for most fitness activities, but some medical conditions might require prescription sports goggles instead. These special glasses can correct your vision and protect your eyes when contacts aren't the right choice.

The right vision solution lets you concentrate on what's important - getting the most from your workout. Now that you know how to exercise safely with contacts, you can protect your eyes while reaching your fitness goals. Whether you play basketball, lift weights, or train for marathons, the right contacts keep your vision as sharp as your workout game.