Advantages of Running with Glasses

Running with glasses (particularly in cases of poor vision) has the following benefits:

Accident and Obstacle Avoidance: If your vision is blurry without glasses, you may struggle to find clear footing while running. This increases the risk of ankle sprains, stepping off curbs, stumbling on trails, missing turns, and headaches. Running with glasses can mitigate these risks.

Sun Protection: Even if you have perfect 20/20 vision or wear contact lenses, wearing sunglasses while running is a good way to protect your eyes from harmful UV radiation. Studies suggest that wearing sunglasses with light-sensitive or dark lenses while running can reduce the risk of cataracts, corneal sunburn, and other forms of irreversible UV damage to the eyes. Additionally, in windy conditions, glasses can also prevent dust and debris from entering the eyes.

Reduced Hassle: Assuming you already wear glasses in daily life, going out for a run becomes more convenient, without the need to wear contact lenses or remember to take off glasses and find a safe place before heading out.

Minimized Irritation: Runners wearing contact lenses while running often complain of dry eyes, lens discomfort, or lens dislodgement. Wearing glasses can completely avoid this issue.

Disadvantages of Running with Glasses

Of course, running with glasses also comes with some challenges, such as:

Bouncing: A common complaint of running with glasses is that they tend to bounce. Glasses bouncing with every step not only risk falling off but also become annoying within a few minutes, reducing the enjoyment of your workout.

Slipping: As you sweat, your glasses may start to slide off your nose, requiring frequent adjustments and pushing them back into place. Similarly, this can quickly become frustrating and may also put your glasses at risk of falling off entirely.

Fogging: Your glasses may fog up due to condensation as you sweat, or sweat droplets may splash onto the lenses. This affects visibility, and trying to defog glasses with a corner of your shirt or finger while running is frustrating, especially if the glasses have already been moistened by sweat.

Sweat Damage: Running with glasses can obviously subject your glasses to wear and tear and expose them to sweat. Sweat can damage the frames and lenses, shortening the lifespan of your glasses.

Halos in the Dark: If you're running with glasses in the dark, various lights (such as streetlights and headlights from cars and trucks) may cause strange halos and optical aberrations as light refracts through your glasses.

Visibility Issues in the Rain: Running with glasses in the rain can be a nightmare. Moisture can cling to the lenses, making it difficult to see, and rainy conditions can make frames more prone to sliding than usual.

Best Running Sunglasses

When selecting running glasses, consider reputable brands such as Nike, Oakley, Rudy Project, Roka, and Smith. Prioritizing UV protection is crucial; ensure that the lenses provide UVA and UVB protection to shield your eyes from harmful UV rays. Additionally, consider lens tint and color as well as performance features such as light-adaptive lenses for varying light conditions, glare-reducing polarized lenses, and vision correction options if needed. By choosing sunglasses with these features, you can enjoy clear visibility and optimal eye protection while running.

Now that you know the answer to the question, "Can I run with glasses?" — Absolutely!