Fight sports require both physical endurance and intense focus— so you need contact lenses that offer the best vision possible.
Whether your fight style is tae kwon do, judo, karate, boxing, kickboxing, or mixed martial arts, the risk of injury is present every time you train, spar, or fight.
Contact lens problems that draw your attention away from your match or training session are not only irritating, they can also put you in danger and increase your risk of injury.
For professional fight sports, the rules on contact lens wear vary depending on the country, state and athletic bodies and associations that control the sport.
Most amateur and professional boxing organizations have banned contact lens wear in the ring, while many associations that oversee mixed martial arts (MMA) and professional organizations like the UFC, allow contact lens wear when fighting.
In fact, contact lenses provide clearer vision with increased peripheral vision, which can provide greater protection to martial artists.
To make sure your vision is optimized, speak to an eye doctor near you about contact lenses, they may be the solution you have been searching for.
SEE RELATED: Common Contact Lens Problems
Contact lenses for martial arts
When it comes to contact lenses, there are three different types that are best suited for martial arts training and fighting.
1. Soft contact lenses
Soft contact lenses are made of soft hydrogel or silicone hydrogel material. These materials make them comfortable, breathable and easy to get used to, with little to no adjustment period.
Soft contact lenses are designed to mold to the shape of your eye, so the chances of them dislodging from your eyes are very slim— even during intense training sessions or fights.
However, if they do happen to fall out when you least expect them to, these lenses are generally very affordable, making them easy to replace.
2. Daily disposable contact lenses
When it comes to choosing a type of soft contact lens, daily disposable contact lenses are the best option for martial artists.
Daily lenses are not only convenient, they are the most hygienic lens out there. These lenses are discarded after each use, limiting bacteria and debris buildup and offering the highest standard of protection from eye infection.
Dailies are inserted in the morning and then removed and discarded at night before going to bed.
If you choose to only wear contact lenses during matches or training sessions, then your pack of daily lenses will last you longer than biweekly or monthly contact lenses, as they only need to be discarded after each use.
3. Orthokeratology contact lenses
Orthokeratology (ortho-k) lenses are a type of rigid gas permeable (RGP) contact lens designed to temporarily reshape your cornea and improve your vision while you sleep.
These contact lenses provide clear vision without the need for daytime eyewear, as they are only worn at night and removed in the morning.
Keep in mind that the vision correction from ortho-k lenses is only temporary and your cornea will return to its original shape if these lenses aren’t worn consistently each night.
Orthokeratology is especially advantageous for martial artists as it eliminates the need for eyewear during training or fighting— and may even help to improve your performance.
Engaging in any combat sport when you have vision problems can be difficult.
Fortunately, there are a variety of contact lens options that offer clear and comfortable vision, so you can focus on pursuing your passion for boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai, or MMA.
LEARN MORE: Guide to Contact Lenses
Whether you’re a budding martial artist or a professional contender, if your vision doesn’t allow you to temporarily remove your glasses before matches, speak to an eye doctor near you about switching to contact lenses.
Contact lenses may be the solution you have been searching for.
