“Football clubs, and sports clubs in general, are beginning to improve their methods of eye testing for young athletes but many can go for years without realising that they have a vision problem. In contact and outdoor sports, such as football, contact lenses are not an alternative solution to glasses as they still cause blurred vision, especially during our poor weather, and you are restricted to the number of hours you can actually wear them,” said Gordon Smith, BBC football analyst.

“A classic example, was when Jim Leighton lost a lens during Scotland’s qualifying match in 1985 against Wales. Unfortunately, he couldn’t continue to play and was replaced by Alan Rough.

“My family were a bit concerned when I decided to have the laser eye treatment but I’m delighted that I went ahead as the results have been tremendous. The treatment only takes ten minutes and within two hours I felt the benefits. My vision has greatly improved and I wish the treatment had been available when I was playing. I’m looking forward now to a few less arguments with my football colleagues now I have perfect vision!”

Advanced Laser Eye Clinic, one of the UK’s longest established clinic’s, performed the LASIK treatment, which was pioneered 15 years ago and available in the UK from 1991.

Managing Director and third generation family optician, Neil MacEwen added, “Laser eye treatment is a quick, painless procedure which can instantly correct a person’s vision, providing them with freedom from problems associated with contact lenses.

“Over the last year or so we’ve seen an increase in the number of sports people coming into our clinics, primarily since many of the world’s famous golfers and tennis players have publicly highlighted the effects it has brought to their sport.