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We spoke to a footballer, Sam Rolph about his experience with sports and vision, and then spoke to his optometrist, Parth Shah to find out more about Sam’s case. Read all about it below.

Sam Rolph is a 15 year old from Methwold in Norfolk. He is longsighted and is a keen footballer and runner. He plays football for King’s Lynn Elite football squad. As part of a standard check-up with his optometrist, Parth Shah, Director of Scotts Opticians in Norfolk, Parth suggested that Sam try contact lenses so that he wouldn’t have to wear spectacles while on the pitch. Sam, who previously wore sports goggles when playing, agreed to try contact lenses although he was a bit worried about them at first.
Sam says; “I was a bit unsure about trying contact lenses at the beginning and it took me a while to get used to putting them in and taking them out.

However I knew that they would probably improve my experience on the pitch. Glasses can be a nuisance when you’re running at speed and when it’s raining they get wet! But the initial time to adapt is definitely worth it. When I first stepped onto the pitch wearing my contact lenses, I wondered why I didn’t do it sooner!”

His optometrist, Parth Shah, optometrist, director of Scotts Opticians and member of the College of Optometrists says; “Sam comes to me for regular eye examinations. He has a high hyperopic prescription with astigmatism, meaning he has difficulty focusing on objects, especially up close, unless he is wearing corrective eye wear. I knew he was dedicated to his sports and felt he would benefit from wearing contact lenses while on the pitch. I always ask patients about their lifestyle to determine what type of eye wear will best suit them.

Typically I will arrange an appointment with a patient to talk them through their requirements, whether it’s for sports, social or occupational use, and thereafter discuss the most suitable option. Sometimes it can take a while for patients to get used to using contact lenses regularly and Sam did take a few attempts, but for a patient like Sam it’s certainly worth persevering”.