Ardie Savea, Jack Leach, Edgar Davids and other top athletes who wore glasses - in pictures

New Zealand forward Savea will become the first player to wear goggles at a Rugby World Cup when he lines up against Canada on Wednesday

Ardie Savea (rugby). The All Blacks will become the first player to wear goggles at a Rugby World Cup as he battles vision problems that have left him fearful of going blind. Getty Images

Daniel Vettori (cricket). The former New Zelaland cricketer wore his specs while batting and bowling. Getty Images

Jack Leach (cricket). The England bowler was offered free glasses for life by Specsavers after his heroics to help England win the third Ashes Test against Australia this summer. Getty Images

Edgar Davids (football). The former Dutch international footballer was diagnosed with glaucoma during his playing days with Juventus in the 1990s. Getty Images

Horace Grant (basketball). The former Chicago Bulls was diagnosed with nearsightedness and began wearing goggles fitted with prescription lenses on the court starting with the 1990-91 season. Getty Images

Dwyane Wade (basketball). The former Miami Heat guard suffered with severe migraines, and so started wearing glasses with an orange tint to protect his eyes from the bright lights on the basketball court. Reuters

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (basketball). Jabbar had a history of being poked in the eye, and even missed two college games because of a cornea injury. Getty Images

Ato Boldon (athletics). The Trinidadian sprinter wore designer shades for style rather than any great need to aid his vision. Getty Images

Billie Jean King (tennis). The American great won 12 grand slams, including six Wimbledon singles titles. Getty Images

Hyeon Chung (tennis). The South Korean suffered terrible eyesight as a child, later diagnosed as astigmatism, a problem with how the eye focuses light. Getty Images

Martina Navratilova (tennis). The American began wearing glasses in 1985 when, during a difficult run of form, she became convinced her eyesight was contributing to her losses. It obviously helped, with Navratalova adding 11 more grand slam titles to her collection wearing them. Getty Images

Edwin Moses (athletics). The American track athlete went a record 122 consecutive races undefeated in the 400m hurdles, winning Olympic gold at the 1976 and 1984 Games as well as the 1983 and 1987 World Championships. Getty Images

Eric Dickerson (American football). The Hall of Famer admitted he 'hated' wearing protective googles as a star player for team ssuch as the Los Angeles Rams and Indianapolis Colts but had to as he was 'blind as a bat'. Getty Images

Dennis Taylor (snooker). The Northern Irishman was involved in what is widely regarded as the greatest snooker match of all time, the 'Black ball final'. Appearing in his second final. Taylor produced a determined comeback to win the match on the final ball of the final frame, sealing his only world title. Getty Images

All Blacks loose forward Ardie Savea will become the first player to wear goggles at a Rugby World Cup as he battles vision problems that have left him fearful of going blind.

Savea, a key player for the defending champions, said the vision in his left eye was blurred and deteriorating. With World Rugby having approved the protective eye wear earlier this year, the New Zealand back-row says Wednesday's pool match against Canada is the time to try them out.

"Everyone has been really supportive. In terms of vision and seeing, it's pretty sweet, and it's now just a matter of getting used to them," he said.

Savea said it was an easy decision to make when he realised that he could potentially lose his sight if his other eye was damaged.

The goggles are reminiscent of the protective goggles worn by former Dutch international footballer Edgar Davids, who was diagnosed with glaucoma during his playing days with Juventus in the 1990s.

While the New Zealand coaching staff insist Savea's goggles are purely for protection, many other former sports stars were known for wearing glasses while competing.

Tennis greats Billie Jean King and Martina Navratalova often took to the court with their specs, while England bowler Jack Leach was offered free glasses for life by Specsavers after his heroics to help England win the third Ashes Test against Australia this summer.

Former United States track athlete Edwin Moses as well as NBA basketball star Kareem Abdul-Jabbar also played using eye wear to help their vision.

Above is a photo gallery of just some of the people to wear eye wear playing their respective sports.

To move on to the next position, click on the arrows on the photo, or if using a mobile device simply swipe.