Choosing the Right Eyewear for Sports Injury Prevention

Summer is just around the corner! Do you or anyone in your family plan to play any water sports? Don’t let eye injuries put a stop to your fun – make sure your eyes are protected properly.

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, an estimated 100,000 people suffer sports-related eye injuries each year, with about 13,500 of these injuries resulting in permanent vision loss. Luckily, around 90% of these injuries can be prevented with proper protective eyewear!

Which Lenses Do I Pick?

The best lenses for eye protection are polycarbonate or trivex lenses. They are made of impact-resistant material, which lowers the chances of them cracking, chipping, or shattering if they’re hit. They are thin and lightweight, allowing you to focus on the game and avoid discomfort!

Polycarbonate and trivex lenses both offer UV protection but you can also get them customized with a tint and/or polarization! Polarized lenses help to filter out glare, either with a thin film over the lens, or a chemical applied to the lens to block out reflected light. For outdoor activities on the water, polarized lenses can prevent glare from distracting or hindering your experience! 

Impact-resistant lenses can protect you whether you need to wear goggles, face shields, or eyeglasses. If you or anyone in your family plays sports, let us know at your next appointment and we’ll recommend some eyewear options!

High-Risk Sports

Eye injuries can happen in almost any sport, but some sports do pose a higher risk than others. The sports with the highest rate of eye injuries are baseball, softball, basketball, ice hockey, and racquetball. It is especially important to wear protection while playing these sports.

Because high velocity ball sports can easily lead to eye injury and damage, a safety standard known as ASTM F803 has been established for protective sports eyewear. When tested, the eyewear must withstand projectiles sized from 40mm to 65.1mm fired at a rate of 90 mph. This impact resistance will ensure your eyes are protected while playing sports. 

Sports glasses and goggles can also include UV protection, anti-scratch coating and/or water resistant anti-reflective coating depending on your preferences.

Not all eye injuries are from getting hit in the eye, known as blunt trauma. There are a few other types of eye injuries that occur when playing sports, including:

• Penetrating injuries, when something cuts your eye

• Corneal abrasion, when something small scratches the outer surface of your eye

• Radiation injury, from exposure to too much sunlight

The severity of these injuries can also vary. Corneal abrasions can often heal on their own, while penetrating injuries typically result in very serious damage. 

Keeping Kids Safe

Children are especially at risk for sports injuries. It is estimated that more than 30,000 children sustain serious sports-related eye injuries every year, and the majority of the eye injuries among kids aged 11-14 happen while they are playing sports. 

Starting kids off with eye protection as young as possible will help them adjust quickly to eye protection being a part of their sportswear. If you play too, there is extra incentive for you to protect your eyes - your kids will follow in your footsteps!

Don’t let injuries come in the way of your fun. Come in and discuss protective eyewear with us!