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