I've also been in over 60 competition fights in the past 5 yrs.
My glasses are not a hindrance to me, and I've learned to fight without them. Being nearsighted helps too.
But alas, just how bad is your eyesight?
I've worn glasses since I was 13 and have practiced martial arts since I was 13. I simply take them off if I need to. If you want to train you will find a way to do it. However, if you are looking for an excuse to quit, I think wearing glasses is a weak reason.
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Use contacts or get lasik vision.
You need glasses that meet ASTM specifications. Those that do meet these standards come with certification papers you get with your glasses. Talk to your eye doctor. Most sports leagues - LittleLeague, Soccer, Football, and Rugby - require that any player who needs glasses must wear ASTM-approved glasses. And some states - like New Jersey - also require their players to wear ASTM-certified glasses.
These glasses won't shatter and are meant for conditions likely to shatter normal glasses. (Frames, on the other hand, are not considered!)
http://www.astm.org/Standard/index.html
Here's an example of NJ law:
http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2004/Bills/...
http://eyecare.org/site/new-jersey-law-o...
EDIT: No, you don't excuse yourself from anything. You wear ASTM-quality glasses. Once done, there is nothing you can't do. State law may mandate that you have new glasses. Failing to do so may render your school liable to health code violations and insurance liability. This isn't about karate: it's about your lifestyle. There are ways to get new glasses, and ASTM-quality ones, without paying a lot of money.
they don't do Kumite, Kumite is just one small facet of Karate, glasses don't stop you training in the others.
either get sports glass or dont wear them during sparing, i wear glass but not during sparing, i just aim for the bury spot in front of me and if something burly comes my way i move.
and you dont want to wear contacts during sparing that is worst then wearing glass, what if you get punch in the eye socket.
You can were contacts or jujitsu glasses.
Dude you can do karte and wear glasses. I did. Just don't wear them during class.
Of course you can still do karate. I've worn glasses virtually my entire life and can't wear contacts. Wearing glasses during regular class isn't an issue. For sparring I have a pair of prescription sports goggles.
If half blind people can train in martial arts then surely you can do karate without your glasses. Yes,you may not have the advantage but you will learn in time.
I have done karate for 3 years and I got glasses over the summer because my vision is really bad. Now I can't fight and I can't get contacts because I am apparently allergic to contacts.
What should I do?
I made some really good friends but they don't go to my school and karate was the only way to meet with them.
hmmm... move to BJJ, where vision is not so important, there are many blind practitioners that are competitive against the sighted.
Talk to your eye doctor for a solution. They have glasses that can stay on your face when you are physically active.
You can still train if you have the desire to train.
Edit:
If you don't have the money to get glasses then you do kumite without glasses or don't participate in the kumite and explain it to your instructors.
They make specialized cases that make it so you can see and still fight and see friends and at karate you don't have to contact spar unless you want to
have you thought of eye surgery?
