Sports related activities comprise more than 40 percent of all eye injuries each year. About one third of the 600,000 annual sports related injuries occur in children. According to The Vision Council, the number of children wearing eye protection while playing sports remains at a low 15 percent.
Three types of sports account for almost half of all sports related injuries: basketball, baseball and air/paint ball guns.
Basketball is the leading cause of injury among males, followed by baseball and air/paint ball guns. Softball is the leading cause among females, followed by cycling and soccer.
In support of Sports Eye Safety Month this September, Progressive Eye Center and the American Optometric Association strongly recommend protective eyewear for all participants while playing sports in which there is a risk of eye injury.
Sports related eye injuries can range from bruises on the eyelids and corneal abrasions to more serious vision-threatening internal injuries such as internal bleeding and retinal detachment.
The good news is that simply wearing protective eye wear can prevent about 90 percent of eye sports related eye injuries. Follow these sight saving tips to help save your child’s vision.
-
Wear eye protection: All children need protective eyewear regardless of whether or not they wear glasses or contact lenses.
-
Regular glasses aren’t enough: Regular glasses may shatter upon impact when hit by flying objects. If you wear prescription glasses, wear protective goggles over the top to protect the lenses.
-
Wear the right eye protection: For basketball, racquet sports, soccer and field hockey, wear lens protection made of polycarbonate lenses. All sports protective eyewear should meet the impact standards of the American Standards for Testing and Materials (ASTM).
Wear a helmet: For baseball, lacrosse and ice hockey, wear a face mask made of polycarbonate lens material or a wire face shield.
Disgard old gear: Over time, wear and tear on protective eye gear may cause it to become weak and not as protective
Where to purchase protective eyewear: Protective eyewear can be purchased at sporting goods stores as well as eye care provider’s offices.