Sports vision specialist sponsors Great Britain fencer

An optometrist based in Sheffield has sponsored a medal winning fencer from Lancashire.

Alex Gage, also a sports vision specialist who owns practices in Woodseats and Crosspool, will supply Phoebe Newton-Hughes, a 17-year-old fencer, with daily disposable contact lenses. This sponsorship followed Newton-Hughes’ coach advice that she had an assessment from Gage to improve her fencing performance.

Gage said: ‘A typical eye exam doesn't test every single vision skill; sports vision testing is more extensive. This is because it evaluates how you use your vision while moving around and interacting with other objects and players.’

Newton-Hughes, who was first selected to fence for England aged 12, added: ‘Fencing is an expensive sport, so Alex's contribution in terms of his expertise and help with my contact lenses is extremely valuable.’