| Playing the position of goalie in any sport | | | | disposable optical wavelength filtering as |
| is a daunting job. If you play outdoors and | | | | effective as sunglasses with the ability to |
| during sunlight hours, the sun can often make | | | | meet the needs of your eye prescription. |
| the job of keeping eyes focused on | | | | These lenses offer a choice of wavelength |
| projectiles much more difficult. Since hockey | | | | spectrum filtration that allow optimization |
| games are divided into three periods of play, | | | | for various types of sports environments. |
| chances are one of the goalies may play with | | | | Your color selection will be based on a |
| the sun in his/her eyes for the majority of | | | | number of factors, including the color of the |
| the game. Make sure the effects of direct | | | | playing surface/surroundings and the color of |
| sunlight or sun-glare are kept to a minimum. | | | | the puck or ball. |
| | | | |
| The Sunglasses Option: | | | | Let's compare the advantages of the two |
| | | | options: |
| One option is to wear sunglasses under the | | | | |
| mask. Polarized lenses with full UV filtering | | | | A package of 6 pairs of disposable sport |
| will provide the best protection for your | | | | contact lenses retails for around $78 |
| eyes and cut down any glare from reflections | | | | (available in both prescription and |
| on the playing surface, the boards, or other | | | | non-prescription). A respectable pair of |
| players' helmets. | | | | polarized sunglasses costs between $10 and |
| | | | $30 at your neighborhood discount retailer. |
| What style works best under the mask? | | | | |
| | | | Other players might tell you that you look |
| While wrap around style offers the best sun | | | | really cool wearing mirrored sunglasses that |
| coverage, they aren't easily accommodated by | | | | match your team colors under the mask. When |
| the fit of the mask. If the wrap projects too | | | | wearing colored sport contact lenses under |
| far from the temple then you run the risk of | | | | the mask, other players might think you look |
| rubbing the frame against the inside of the | | | | possessed (some might consider this an |
| cage or mask, resulting in the glasses moving | | | | advantage). |
| as your head moves. | | | | |
| | | | Sunglasses can be removed easily when the |
| Classic style sunglasses offer less coverage | | | | clouds roll in or when you are playing at the |
| but have the advantage of staying put as your | | | | end of the rink that has the sun to your |
| head moves laterally with respect to the mask | | | | back. Contact lenses are in place before you |
| surrounding it. | | | | arrive at the rink and come out after you |
| | | | leave (don't risk damage to you eyes by |
| Sweat can be a major nuisance while wearing | | | | inserting and removing while you are gearing |
| sunglasses under the mask. Taking the mask on | | | | up or down at rink-side) |
| and off your head is hard enough without | | | | |
| taking the extra care to avoid knocking the | | | | Sunglasses can smear with sweat and become |
| glasses out of place in the process. You will | | | | displaced when you get bumped around. Contact |
| want to keep a towel handy in case the | | | | lenses tend to remain securely in place and |
| glasses require cleaning during a game | | | | sweat acts as a natural lubricant. |
| stoppage or a face-off at the opposite end of | | | | |
| the rink. | | | | Both options offer the goalie essential |
| | | | protection from UV harm and sun blindness |
| The Sport Contact Lens Option: | | | | that make the mission easier to carry out. |
| | | | Don't let the sun play in the opposing team's |
| Another option that became available only | | | | favor. |
| recently is the tinted sport contact lens | | | | |
| option. | | | | Please share your experiences with either of |
| | | | these options by leaving a comment on this |
| Commercial optics technology has finally made | | | | article. Play hard! |
| available sport contact lenses that offer | | | | |