In light of Ardie Savea's announcement that he'll start wearing sport goggles due to deteriorating eyesight, RNZ has compiled a list of famous athletes who've also donned them.
Ardie Savea's deteriorating eyesight means he will wear rugby goggles in the match against Canada. Photo: Getty Images
Here's RNZ's list of sport stars outside of rugby to don goggles.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - Basketball
Arguably the most famous athlete to wear sport goggles, Los Angeles Lakers center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had to wear protective eyewear after his cornea was scratched multiple times before even entering the NBA.
The goggles didn't stop Abdul-Jabbar's ascendancy to basketball greatness either - the 19-time All Star still holds the all-time leading points scorer with 38,387. He also won a league record six Most Valuable Player awards as well as six NBA championships.
Ato Boldon - athletics
Ato Boldon would most likely win the award for most innovative pair of sports goggles - the pair he wore below at the Sydney Olympics were described as 'futuristic' by media at the time.
Boldon, from Trinidad and Tobago won a silver medal in the men's 100m sprint and bronze in the 200m at the Sydney Olympics, as well as two bronze medals at the 1996 Atlanta games. He also won gold in the men's 200m at the 1997 World Championships.
Ato Boldon of Trinidad and Tobago sports futuristic glasses at the men's Olympic 4x100m semifinals in Sydney 29 September 2000. Photo: AFP
Edgar Davids - Football
Former Netherlands midfielder Edgar Davids wore goggles during his playing days due to glaucoma.
Davids had a successful career with Ajax Amsterdam and Italian giants Juventus, winning domestic titles with both as well as the UEFA Champions League with Ajax in 1995.
Edgar Davids (R) playing for Inter Milan in 2004. Photo: AFP
Martina Navratilova - Tennis
While Martina Navratilova didn't wear goggles per se, she still wore prescription lenses while playing tennis.
The 18-time grand slam champion is considered one of the greatest tennis players of all time, all while wearing frames on court.
Martina Navratilova. Photo: AFP
Daniel Vettori - Cricket
Like Navratilova, former Black Caps' captain Daniel Vettori didn't wear goggles, but donned his specs during his long and distinguished career.
Vettori still holds the Black Caps' record for leading ODI wicket taker and was just the second New Zealand bowler behind Sir Richard Hadlee to take 300 Test wickets.
Daniel Vettori attempts to take a catch while playing against South Africa in 2014. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Honourable mention: Michael Phelps - Swimming
While Phelps didn't require goggles for poor eyesight, rather a requirement of the sport, the American is the most decorated athlete who wore goggles - winning 28 Olympic gold medals in total (23 of them gold).
Michael Phelps. Photo: Photosport
