As the weather heats up, people flock toward sports and recreation. Just
as spring brings baseball, soccer, tennis, and other activities, it also
can bring sports eye injuries. It is estimated that more than 100,000 people
incur eye injuries each year, and at least 90 percent of these are otherwise
preventable by proper protective eyewear.
Since children are often involved in high-risk sports, it is important
to prevent eye injuries before they happen by wearing protective eyewear.
Types of protective eyewear
There are different types of protective eyewear on the market. Different
sports can cause different eye hazards and parents should buy eyewear
depending upon their child’s sport and needs.
"It is a good idea to consider sports eyewear for any child. Sports
eyewear is beneficial and important, especially for children with impaired
vision in one or both eyes," said Ronald Keech, M.D., University
of Iowa professor of ophthalmology and visual sciences.
In sports such as baseball, football, soccer, and hockey, it is good
to have glasses for minimum protection. Baseball also requires a side
shield attached to the helmet while batting. For eye protection in football
and hockey, wire face masks are beneficial, but clear shields made of
polycarbonate plastic are much more effective for complete eye protection.
Boxing and wresting are the only sports where protective eyewear is not
available. According to Keech, patients with impaired vision in one eye
should not participate in either of these sports.
The strongest lens material on the market is a polycarbonate. Polycarbonate
lenses, depending on thickness, are more than 10 times more resistant
to impact than other standard plastic lenses. Polycarbonate lenses are
available for all types of eye wear, but are usually made thicker when
used for sports for even greater protection.
Keech suggests that for higher risk sports activities, such as racquetball,
lenses should always be polycarbonate and have at least a three-millimeter
center thickness.
Fitting your Child For Sports Frames
To ensure safety, it is important to select the proper type of eyewear
and also the correct fit.
Many sports frames now come in smaller sizes and are available for children.
If your child has glasses, prescription lenses can be put in sport frames.
Even swimming goggles can be fitted with prescription lenses.
Lenses are available not only in prescription, but also in tints. However,
tinted lenses should not be used when playing sports at night. All polycarbonate
lenses provide ultraviolet (UV) protection and help prevent possible damage
from UV rays.
Buying Eyewear
When you buy eyewear, it is important to make sure the American National
Standards Institute or the American Society for Testing Materials certifies
it. By doing so, it guarantees that the products have been tested and
provide at least minimum standards of safety.
When it is time to buy protective eyewear, consult your eye care provider.
He or she can help answer questions and discuss options available.
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For More Information:
Ronald
Keech, M.D.
American National Standards Institute
American Society for Testing Materials
Prevent Blindness American
Academy of Ophthalmology
UI Department of Ophthalmology
and Visual Sciences
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