According to the American Optometric Association, sports related eye injuries are the number one cause of eye injuries in those aged sixteen years and younger. It is estimated that ninety percent of these injuries are preventable with the proper eyewear.
Regardless of whether you have a refractive error or not, measures need to be taken to protect the eyes while participating in sports. Estimates by Prevent Blindness America place the annual number of emergency room visits due to sports-related eye injuries at forty thousand per year, with about one-third of those visits being children.
Protective eyewear designed for sports usage are inexpensive insurance against permanently damaging an eye. While normal eyeglasses may provide some protection in an injury, most frames and lenses are not sturdy enough to withstand the severity of impact that occur in sports injuries. Safety goggles are ideal, as they are designed to minimize any visual disturbances while using them. They are made with from materials that can withstand impacts, and have lenses grooved so that they can only pop outward, away from the eyes. Many quality sports goggles also have side vents or anti-fog lenses so that they don’t cause problems when sweating occurs. For sports already requiring a helmet, face shields should be used with the helmet to protect the eyes.
Come on in to on of our two opticals and let one of our opticians help you find the appropriate safety eyewear that are attractive and safe!
Posted by primaryeyecare2 