The importance of sunglasses in various sports

This is a collaborative post

As Aussies, a love of sport is ingrained in our DNA, so much so that according to a survey by AusPlay, over 19 million of us (aged 15 or over) partook in some kind of sport or physical activity in 2021-22.

Regardless of whether this was at a professional, grade or recreational level, much of this participation took place outdoors and could not have been conducted anywhere near as effectively if the individuals involved weren’t wearing sunglasses.

Generally speaking, sunglasses are not worn in contact sports like NRL, AFL, hockey and soccer. There are simply too many opportunities for them to fall off or injure the wearer during a tussle or collision.

But for the majority of other codes, such as tennis, cycling, golf and, of course, beach volleyball, they can make a significant contribution to the levels of your performance.

But why exactly are sunglasses so important for these particular disciplines?

Here are some of the main reasons why they are a must-have accessory for any recreational or serious competitor. 

Eye Protection

Australia has the dubious distinction of boasting some of the world’s highest UV radiation levels. In fact, it is so strong that on a clear sunny day, it can cause sunburn in no less than 11 minutes!

As UV radiation is responsible for over 95% of all skin cancers in Australia, it is important to slip, slop, slap, seek and slide.

The latter refers to the act of wearing sunglasses because doing so can protect your eyes from lasting damage that can occur as a result of prolonged exposure to these rays. This can include serious conditions like cataracts and macular degeneration, which could potentially lead to blindness.

For this reason, it is important to pick a good quality pair of shades that have UV400 protection – the gold standard for blocking UVA and UVB rays.

Here are some popular sunglasses at 1001 Optometry you might want to check out. 

Better Vision and Performance

In many sports, clear and focused vision is critical to a good level of your performance. Therefore, wearing a quality pair of sports sunglasses can help you to best see what’s in front of you by significantly improving factors such as contrast and visibility.

For example. polarised lenses can reduce glare from water and other reflective surfaces, which is invaluable in activities like fishing and water skiing, where sunlight can bounce off the surface to create an intense glare that can be blinding.

Additionally, in cycling, sunglasses are specially designed to wrap closely around the eyes, which protects them from wind, debris, and sunlight and enables riders to fully concentrate on the road.

Those who play beach volleyball can struggle to see the ball due to the glare from the sand and sea. Subsequently, wearing sunglasses with anti-glare coatings can be very helpful in spotting it, even in the brightest of sunlight. 

Reduced Eye Fatigue

If you are not wearing proper eyewear, you will end up squinting against bright sunlight, which can end up straining your eyes and lead to fatigue and distraction.

Both tennis and cricket are two examples of sports that can require you to spend long periods of time in the sun but maintain split-second reactions, which you will be more likely to maintain with the right pair of sunglasses.

Likewise, when playing an 18-hole round of golf, you’re often outdoors for upwards of four hours. So, by wearing a quality pair of sunglasses, you can go a long way towards reducing eye strain, which, in turn, will help you maintain accuracy, better assess shots and make adjustments across various fairways and greens. 

Photo credit Artur Voznenko via Unsplash

Improved Safety

Not all sunglasses are made equally, and some, when worn in a sporting context, are more likely to smash or break than others.

However, sports-specific sunglasses often use shatterproof polycarbonate lenses that are designed to withstand high impacts.

Mountain Biking and Trail Running are two examples of sporting codes that benefit most from this type of eyewear.

When tackling trails, especially in Australia’s diverse, tough, and unforgiving landscapes, this style of sunglasses protects your eyes from branches, dust, and the sun’s rays, which could otherwise cause you significant injury.  

Weather-Resistant Protection

In Australia, the weather can be unpredictable, so sports sunglasses can offer vital protection against it that goes just far beyond sun protection alone.

For surfing and windsurfing, specialised water sports sunglasses float and often come with straps. This makes them ideal for handling the waves and unpredictable winds while also protecting against water glare and UV rays.

Similarly, in cricket, for players who are on the field all day, sunglasses can protect against dust and wind, which can help them withstand the rigours of a tough session of batting or bowling. 

More Comfort for Endurance Sports

Given the extreme nature of their sports, it is very important that marathon runners and long-distance endurance athletes wear comfortable sunglasses.

Often, the sunglasses they wear are made from lightweight materials and have adjustable frames and rubber nose pads, that remain comfortable - even after many punishing hours of running, climbing or scaling rugged terrain.

Cyclists and runners, for instance, benefit from performance sunglasses designed with vents that prevent fogging. This means that athletes don’t break out of their rhythm or stride patterns by having to adjust or clean their eyewear mid-race.