Eye injuries are a leading cause of blindness in children in the United States — and most of these injuries happen while kids are playing sports. The good news is that wearing the right protective eyewear can prevent 9 out of 10 sports-related eye injuries.
What is protective eyewear?
Protective eyewear is eyewear made of ultra-strong polycarbonate, a type of plastic that’s very impact resistant and also protects eyes from ultraviolet (UV) rays. Types of protective eyewear for sports include safety goggles, face guards, and special eyewear designed for specific sports.
Protective eyewear is eyewear made of ultra-strong polycarbonate, a type of plastic that’s very impact resistant and also protects eyes from ultraviolet (UV) rays. Types of protective eyewear for sports include safety goggles, face guards, and special eyewear designed for specific sports.
Regular eyeglasses, sunglasses, and contacts don’t protect kids from eye injuries — but most protective eyewear can be made to match kids’ glasses or contacts prescriptions. Kids can also wear safety goggles over their regular glasses or contacts.
When do kids need to use protective eyewear?
Kids need to use protective eyewear whenever they are practicing or playing a sport that raises their risk of eye injury. Some sports have a higher risk for eye injuries than others.
Kids need to use protective eyewear whenever they are practicing or playing a sport that raises their risk of eye injury. Some sports have a higher risk for eye injuries than others.
Sports with a high risk of eye injury include:
- Baseball and softball
- Basketball
- Fencing
- Hockey
- Mountain biking
- Paintball
- Racquetball and squash
Sports with a moderate risk of eye injury include:
- Badminton
- Golf
- Soccer
- Tackle football
- Tennis
And sports with a low risk of eye injury include:
- Diving
- Gymnastics
- Road biking
- Skiing
- Swimming
- Track and field
Youth sports leagues don’t always require players to use protective eyewear. That’s why it’s important for parents, teachers, and coaches to know the risks and make sure that all young athletes use protective eyewear when they’re at risk for eye injuries.
What kind of protective eyewear do kids need?
There are different types of protective eyewear that are best for different sports.Kids need safety goggles with polycarbonate lenses when playing sports like:
There are different types of protective eyewear that are best for different sports.Kids need safety goggles with polycarbonate lenses when playing sports like:
- Baseball and softball (when fielding)
- Basketball
- Mountain biking
- Racquetball and squash
Kids need helmets with attached polycarbonate face guards or face masks when playing sports like:
- Baseball and softball (when batting)
- Hockey
- Tackle football
Kids need swim safety goggles with polycarbonate lenses when playing sports that happen in water, like:
- Surfing
- Water polo
- Water skiing or tubing
Kids may need other types of eye and face protection for sports like fencing, lacrosse, and paintball, and when playing certain positions, like goalie. If you’re not sure what type of protective eyewear your child needs, ask your child’s eye doctor or coach.
Source: National Eye Institute
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