Glasses
 

I've been an official here in Pa for about 15 yrs. While coming up through the JV ranks I always wore my glasses and not contact lens since I thought they were uncomfortable. A few senior officials told me the only way I would get moved up to varsity ball was to wear contacts, so I tried them again. After doing so, I was moved up and have enjoyed doing varsity ball for going on 9 yrs now and even got to do a district final last year. I still don't like wearing contacts and only wear them to do varsity ball. This being said, last March I developed a serious eye infection from using a bad lot of contact lens solution from a manufacturer that was in the news earlier this year. My eye is 100% healed now but...I've decided not to wear contacts ever again after going through that mess. Sooo, my question is...does anyone wear their glasses while officiating? If so, do you do varsity ball? I'm curious to see what if anything is said this season when I wear my glasses and not the contacts. Hopefully nothing.

I don't wear glasses so pardon me for responding but I couldn't resist. Sounds like you maybe fighting the "you sure need those glasses" comment from the peanut gallery and etc. Preception is reality and all that stuff. And I have a concern about getting hit with them on doing a jump ball or just in general. BUTyour health and what you previously went through is THE deciding factor. WEAR 'EM. You got some time in at the varsity level and you probably have gain some creditibilty in your nine years....so go knock em dead. Get the calls right and it won't matter. Be approachable and comfortable with it and it won't matter. Anyone ask...you have to wear you can't wear contacts. Period. And if this motivational speech doesn't work for you then there's always laser surgery.:) By the way, if you do decide to wear them let someone else toss the ball ( FOR MY PEACE OF MIND) and DON'T HAVE RABBIT EARS. :)

In the spirit of always blaming the victim for the crime, why would you change to a new solution if your old one had been working all these years?

BTW, If you get the one-day disposable lenses, you won't need any solutions, they are much more comfortable (although harder to put on at first), and you just throw them away when you're finished. If you get them on-line, they average about a buck a pair, so they are fairly cost effective as well. Ask your eye doctor about them.

Maybe you've now reached a point of respect in your group that the "perception" that glasses can bring will not hurt you. I guess you'll find out.

I always wear my contacts when I ref. IMO, glasses on an official do not look very athletic and it would drive me crazy to have glasses on while I was running and sweating.

I also wear contacts only when I'm working games. I find them somewhat uncomfortable the first couple of games, but I adjust as the season rolls along. I can wear glasses through games, but the contacts are more practical since they don't slide down my nose when I sweat.

I understand your fear of going back to contacts, but I'd recommend trying it. Buy only the most expensive solution from the biggest name manufacturers. That will assuage your fears a little until you feel some trust in the system again.

Still, glasses are practical enough if you choose them carefully, and manage them appropriately. You might get a special pair just for reffing. They've got some beastly expensive but very safe flexible metal frames that look snappy and would be less subject to damage if you got hit with the ball.

I think you will overcome the "you need those glasses" stuff by being very good (which you obviously are) and very personable. Unless your correction is so bad that you look like you're peering through a star-gazing telescope, I think a person can get past this problem.

I wore contacts for a year in high school, and didn't like them much, and in my job I need to have some type of eye protection anyhow, so I just stuck with eyeglasses for years. I wore them my first 2 years officiating.

For some of the same concerns you mentioned, I decided I could try contacts again, now that they have improved since I wore them last. So a month into last season, my third, I switched.

I really felt I had a better field of vision, and no worries about keeping the eyeglasses secure and lenses clear. It surprised me how much more at ease I was. I have no desire to go back to glasses for officiating.

Since I'm new at this, I wasn't yet too concerned about getting varsity games. The eyeglasses issue was never mentioned to me, and I never heard it discussed regarding anyone else. In fact, I can name a handful of officials (varsity and otherwise) I saw work last season that had eyeglasses.

You'll either hear "You need new glasses" or "You should get some glasses" from the stands, so there's no winning there. If your association prefers contacts, that's another thing. Sounds to me like you have made a thoughtful decision. Don't look back on it.

This very subject was brought up at my conference meeting last night. When I first started officiating about 15 years ago, I was told to wear contacts because glasses didn't look as "athletic", and it helps avoid all the smart-aleck comments from the stands. But last night was one of the first times I'd heard a supervisor actually say there's no problem if you have to wear glasses. It's even ok to wear a neatly-trimmed mustache. These were all taboo 15 years ago. But I think people are starting to realize if you can referee, it really doesn't matter if you wear glasses vs. contacts. Maybe, subconsciously, wearing contacts helps with a first impression the first time you're at a new gym. But if the schools already know you, I don't think they care if you show up with or without glasses, as long as you call the game right.

On the flip side, I still wear contacts for the some of the other reasons mentioned - I have more peripheral vision than with glasses, and I don't have the problem of fogging and having to wipe them off when I sweat. So it seems like it has become a personal preference rather than a "requirement" for moving up.

When I first started, I was told not to wear my glasses because of perception. I choose not to wear them because I don't want them on my face when I'm sweating. About the only time I wear my contacts anymore is when I work out or officiate. I'd say go with what's most comfortable for you.

This is personal decision all the way. I can see why you would be skeptical to wear contacts and for good reason. I wear contacts as well. I wear Focus Dailies. I only have to wear them once and throw them away. I only wear contacts when I work games or for special occasions. I do not have to use any solution for these contacts and I love them and they are not very irritating.

It is unfortunate, but perception is reality. If you wear glasses there is going to be an issue if you can see and that judgment from other people will affect how they treat you and might affect what opportunities you receive. Also do not let this one sanitation change what you do. If I am not mistaken the problem with that solution was with one company. Life is not fair, so if you wear your glasses, you might hold yourself back in some way. Just a fact of the game we are in.

Peace

I wear disposible contacts, but the two week kind. My first set of lenses, 25+ years ago, were hard contact lenses, so anything remotely soft doesn't bother me in the least. The only time I have a problem is if my eyes get dry, and that only happens when I'm not active. I've waterskiied, snowskiied, swam, ridden moutain bikes, etc. in contact lenses and never lost one or had any problem while active. But if I had to wear glasses for whatever reason while officiating, I'd have to quit since I sweat so profusely, I'd be drying off the lenses way too often.

I have worn glasses for my entire officiating career and it hasn't affected my ability to advance. When I moved to a new area a few years ago, one official in my association was talking to me about how to improve, and one thing he mentioned was my glasses. The whole perception speech and all that. I never even had glasses until I was 23 years old, and when I first got them, I tried contacts and it felt like they were sticking rocks in my eyes. I have since talked to my eye doctor about contacts, but I have a really bad astigmatism on one eye that make contacts virtually impossible. I have considered the Lasik eye surgery, however, with kids needing braces, that's probably not going to happen any time soon.

My advice, overcome the glasses obstacle with sheer ability. We had a guy here in Texas work the Girls State Tournament that had glasses on and did a great job. I'm only 23, but I had to start wearing contacts because my eyes I know are only gonna get worse cuz it runs in my family. But personally, I would never wanna wear glasses, purely because of the perception factor.:cool: No NBA guys wear 'em.

CH

M&M, I think we were at the same meeting last night. :cool:

Were you in St. Louis?

Yup, I was there.

Turn on your P.M.

Look into laser eye surgery...the best decision I ever made. I did it 6 years ago and went from 20/80 in my right eye, 20/100 in my left to 20/15 in both.

No loss of focus when you glance to the side like with glasses.

No irritation or expense like with contacts.

The feeling of waking up the day after the surgery and seeing clearly...I was 20/20 20 hours after I had it done...for the first time in 25 years, the second my eyes opened, was incredible.

My eyes are sooooo sensitive that I barely make it thru the contact exam. If they could knock me out and laser my eyes, I'm all in but I understand you have to be awake for it. There's no way cuz I couldn't hold still.

What they do is give you a mild sedative to relax you, then they put drops in your eyes to numb them. They strap your head down and have a device that holds your eyes open...a nicer version of A Clockwork Orange...so you don't have to hold still.

If you can wear a contact lens, you can make it through laser surgery. I'm sure they can give you more meds to relax you if needed, since you can't drive yourself home after anyway.

I only wear contacts to ref. Glasses are just better for my eyes and laser surgery isn't an option for me.

I wore glasses for the first couple of years that I worked before I made the switch to contacts. The comment that was made to me was that it was just one less thing for people to pick on. My experience is that it is true. If you are comfortable with the comments that will come, I say wear your glasses.

The funniest thing to me is when people yell out glasses comments because I really do see much better through my glasses than I do through the contacts.

Great movie btw

There was me, that is Alex, and my three droogs, that is Pete, Georgie, and Dim, and we sat in the Korova Milkbar trying to make up our rassoodocks what to do with the evening. The Korova milkbar sold milk-plus, milk plus vellocet or synthemesc or drencrom, which is what we were drinking. This would sharpen you up and make you ready for a bit of the old ultra-violence.

I'm lucky in that I only need mine for reading, so it isn't an issure for me yet, but I have worn prescription sunglasses when facing into the sun on soccer games and was glad that I had them. If you need your glasses wear them. If the contacts are bothering you during a game you're going to be distracted by them. If you don't think you're seeing as well as you need to you're going to be distracted and feel less confident. I've worked with a lot of guys .... really good and skilled guys.... who had on the specs. If you see better and are more comfortable wear them.

Guys - Thanks for all the replies and advise. Here's my plan...I'm going to go ahead and wear my glasses and let the chips fall where they may.

I do believe my reputation as a "decent" official should help:rolleyes: I'll let you all know how this plays out when the season get rolling. Thanks again for the advise and encouragement:D

I have to make my regular appt with the eye doctor and am going to try the contact route. That [wearing glasses], along with facial hair, beer bellies & several other physical factors were mentioned as reasons for lower ratings. Several guys testified as to how their ratings shot way up after making the switch. I am loath to do it because I hate messing with my eyes, but the lion's share of ratings come from other officials, so guess where the problem lies?:mad:

I'm with blindzebra - I wore glasses and contacts for years. The contacts got to the point that I could only wear them during the game and I'd take them out right afterwards to reduce the irritation they caused. I finally decided to go with the laser surgery - the BEST money I have ever spent on anything legal! My experience was even better than blindzebra's. I went from 20/800 - I couldn't even read the big E on the screen - to the point that I could actually read a clock on the wall 15 feet away IMMEDIATELY after the surgery. It was a little foggy still and by 8:00 that night my vision was crystal clear. My vision is now 20/20 in one eye and 20/15 in the other after almost 2 years. My cost was $1400 - but I'd do it all over again tomorrow wtihout hesitation. As for the nerves, I didn't get the valium but really didn't need it - my doc was so gentle and I was completely ready for everything that went on during the surgery thanks to a few buddies that had already gone through the proceedure.

Bottom line - have the surgery - I'll never need to spend $200 or more a year on contacts or glasses that I'd happen to break during a game. Again, the BEST investment I have ever made!

Just my opinion but I think you should go back to the contacts, even if its just for officiating. Perception is a big chunk of officiating and glasses can ruin your court presence. Again, JMO.

I agree. There is a reason you do not see officials at all levels and different sports wearing glasses.

Peace

Hehehe,
 

You will never work the highest level games, sorry preceived or not, wearing glasses.

Do what you want but I would have never worked D-1 basketball wearing glasses.

Get Lasik or contacts or work a lower level schedule.

Do what you want and live with it.

Regards,

Don Rutledge wore glasses in at least some of his games. Granted, he's been out for several years, but he was about as big time as it gets.

Thank goodness I get my own games (no assigning association -- we go straight to the conferences and schools) and this would NOT be a factor for me. One of my regular partners wears glasses and he's a top-notch official.

This "perception" is kept alive by OTHER OFFICIALS. I don't think non-officials really care whether or not you're wearing glasses. Most people probably wouldn't even notice.

Thanks Rich...that perception by other officials is what I think might be the problem:confused:

BTW, eye surgery is OUT of the question:eek:

Facial hair, beer bellies, and several other physical factors. :D

Actually, the "perception" is kept alive by assignors, coaches, athletic directors, state tournament observers, other officials, fans etc. etc. ......

It sucks, I agree. But perception is a huge part of officiating. I'd love to be about 6'4" instead of 6'0" but that isn't going to happen so I work on the things I can control like fitness, mechanics, athletic movement etc. Wearing contacts instead of glasses is one thing I can control too.

You may find a few officials who are able to work very high levels with glasses on, but that doesn't mean the perception doesn't exist. As others have said, show me some premiere D-1 officials or NBA officials who wear glasses.

Z - I'm 5' 10" and also have some facial hair(stash):eek: My goal was to someday work at the district final level(done:) ) and never had a goal of working D1 or NBA(although I have done some D-3:D ). So...I still think I'll go with wearing the specks:cool: Thanks for your opinions:)

You really did not say this and believe it do you?

If you think fans and coaches do not question the eyesight of the officials (and with glasses you are telling the whole world you have to have vision correction on some level) then I do not know what world you are living in. It does not matter what system of assigning you live in, someone that has some power over assignments just might hold you back because of something this minor. Just like someone will hold you back for other physical features and you would never know the reasons why you were not hired or asked back. Also, there are always exceptions to any rule. Your friend has been able to overcome this to some extent does not mean everyone will be so lucky.

Peace

My $0.02...FWIW
 

Lots of good discussion and advice here...lots of personal experience which, as usual, varies widely.

When I started officiating, I was told by my trainers that if you walked on the court or field with glasses on, it was already one strike against you. No matter how fit you are, how good your uniform looks, how well you carry yourself, you are still announcing to the world that you can't see without the glasses. Obviously, eyesight is a big part of officiating!

Having glasses on gives that coach and/or player (I don't give a rat's butt about fan comments) an opening to make some comment when a call doesn't go their way. This could lead to issues that may have been avoided completely if you didn't have the glasses on.

Personally, I can't stand to wear glasses and wear contacts full time. I would love to have the surgery, but I currently have two kids with braces right now.

I think the only ones who care ARE the non-officials. The only reason officials care is because they're considering what the non-officials say/think.

I'd worn glasses/contacts for years, usually wearing glasses at work (lots of staring at a computer screen) and contacts for more active things (such as basketball). Occasionally, if I was out of contact lens solution, or forgot them at home, I'd wear glasses to a game. It would occasionally lead to a sarcastic comment, but the type of people you hear it from are the kind of coaches/players/fans that would be in your face about something even if you didn't wear glasses.

That said, I used (the equivalent of) my game fees from the last year or two to get myself laser eye surgery this summer - now I'm ready to go with 20/16 vision in both eyes! It might not be something you're interested in (there is a definite "ick" factor, especially if you just had a bad experience with an infection, and it can be fairly costly), but I would highly recommend it for anyone who's on the fence right now.

I wear my contacts during the game. Then when leaving I put my glasses on just to hear the fans complain!!

You should try wearing those glasses when you're driving a front-end loader.

Really.....

Seriously.....:D

The trouble is that I saw what I was doing wrong in the loader!!:confused:

Here's a guy that wore glasses for high level games.....

Hell, he did OK with just one eye!

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/08/sp...all/08ref.html

I went the lasik surgery route several years ago mainly because the contacts bothered my eyes during baseball season (wind). I made the decision after hearing that Tiger Woods had his done. It was the best money I ever spent. I would pay that much each year to renew my vision if necessary. You can't put a price on how much better and easier life is without contacts.

Glasses
 

Great thread on a subject that interests me quite a bit.

The night before doing my first official clinic (with evaluators), I had a friend optometrist get me in for an exam for contacts. I got a starter pack of throw-aways and about an hour before the clinic, I tried to get them in. Got the first one okay but the second one didn't go in so good. It was in there but "folded" up somewhere. Oh man, I was already nervous about doing the clinic (even if they were just summer camp games) and now I'm scrambling to get the first one out and find the second one that's really messing with my eye. Never got the "bad" one out before the games so I ended up with my glasses on and worrying about the irritation. Made it through that day and tried, unsuccesfully, to get the contacts in again from time to time but never really comfortable with them.

Only doing freshman/JV games so far and it may be awhile until I get any varsity gigs but I'm willing to try the contacts again down the road. As unfair as it seems to have to chuck the glasses for perception purposes, I suppose it's just the way it is. I'm not a candidate for laser.

I have a good friend who wears glasses all the time. After getting "dinged" on some evaluations at a state tournament for wearing glasses, he got fitted for contacts. He struggled like crazy with them, in fact he couldn't seem to get them in by himself. He had his wife put them in for him at home before his games. She hated doing it. :)

One time I had a game with him and he had forgot to have his wife put them in. He knows that I wear contacts and asked me to put them in for him. It was a little weird (I'm glad nobody walked in while I was doing that), but I did put them in for him (once is enough).

His doctor's assistant finally gave him some personal "fitting training" and after a little practice, he can now do it by himself. Maybe you just need a little help.:)

Especially that coach's brother from Alaska!

I agree with everything in this post except - I couldn't afford that every year. Kudos to you if you can.:D