This month I met a remarkable young man—just 14 years old, already deeply committed to sport, and with a list of achievements that would make any parent proud. He played first-team rugby for his primary school, represented the Blou Bulle U12, and even attended Craven Week. His focus, discipline, and passion for the game are unmistakable.
But as I listened to his story, something else struck me just as strongly: he is also myopic. And for a young athlete in a high-impact sport like rugby, that combination raises important concerns.
Myopia is about a lot more than just glasses to see clearly. As the eye regresses and grows longer, the retina and the macula at the back are placed under increasing strain. The higher the myopia climbs, the greater the lifetime risk of:
Now add rugby into the mix.
Rugby is a sport built on speed, strength, and unavoidable collisions. Tackles, scrums, falls, and blows to the head are part of the game. For a myopic eye—already structurally stretched—these impacts can significantly increase the risk of retinal injury, not to mention retinal pathology at an older age.
For children like this young sportsman, slowing down the progression of myopia isn’t just about clearer vision. It’s about protecting the long-term health of the eye.
Every dioptre of myopia we prevent reduces the risk of future retinal and macular complications. And for a child who loves rugby, that protection becomes even more crucial.
Myopia control isn’t a luxury. It’s a safeguard.
Young athletes shouldn’t have to choose between the sport they love and the safety of their eyes. With modern myopia-management options—specialised lenses, specialized contact lenses, and evidence-based treatment plans—we can help protect their vision while they continue to thrive on the field.
This 14-year-old reminded me of something important: behind every pair of myopic eyes is a child with dreams, talent, and a future worth protecting. Our job is to make sure their vision keeps up with their ambition.
To give this young athlete the best possible protection, we prescribed MiYoSmart spectacle lenses, which have been shown to reduce myopia progression by around 60%. These lenses offer excellent day-to-day clarity while actively slowing down the eye’s elongation.
For rugby days, we added MiSight contact lenses—a brilliant option for young sportspeople who need freedom of movement without compromising their myopia-control treatment. This combination allows him to train, tackle, and play with confidence, while still protecting his long-term eye health.
We’ll be monitoring him closely as he grows, adjusting his treatment plan as needed. And who knows—if his dedication continues, we may just see him running onto the field in green and gold one day.
Fill in he form below and we will get back to you as soon as we can.
Shop 10 D, Cornwall View Shopping Centre, Cnr Boeing & Piering Street, Elardus Park
