Eye injuries are the leading cause of blindness in children and most injuries occurring in school-aged children are sports-related. One of the fastest-growing segments of the eye care industry has been eyewear designed specifically to protect during sports. Some was developed for professional sports, but the need for this type of protection has spread rapidly to non-professional sports as well.
Sports which are considered a high-to-moderate risk of eye injury include basketball, baseball, lacrosse, hockey, tennis, soccer, volleyball, football, air rifle, BB gun, paintball, boxing, martial arts, fencing and badminton. Even golf and fishing cause a portion of eye injuries. These injuries result in loss of vision, time missed from work or school, and often result in legal action against the hosting institution. Yet, according to the 2002 National Health Interview Survey, 84.6% of children in the United States do not utilize protective eyewear in situations that represent a risk of eye injury.
By wearing protective eyewear, the risk of eye damage is reduced or eliminated, and many clubs today do not permit their members to participate without wearing proper eye gear. Whether they play in the major leagues or the community clubs, coaches, parents and players are now realizing that wearing protective eyewear for sports pays off in several ways. Initially, there was some resistance by children to "looking funny" when they wore protective eyewear but gradually sports goggles and other equipment are becoming an accepted part of everyday life, much the way bike helmets have become the norm.
Statistics from the Coalition to Prevent Sports Eye Injuries relate that more than more than 90 percent of all eye injuries can be prevented with the use of protective eyewear such as safety glasses, goggles, safety shields and eye guards designed for a particular sport. The report states that 600,000 eye injuries in the United States are attributed to sports and recreation each year and 42,000 are severe enough to require a visit to the hospital emergency department.
Protective eyewear is made of ultra-strong materials and does not reduce vision. For children who wear glasses or contact lenses, most protective eyewear can be made to match their prescriptions as ordinary prescription glasses, contact lenses, and sunglasses do not protect against eye injuries. Safety goggles can also be worn over them.
If you or your child plays a sport that may cause an eye injury, and your league does not require the use of eye protection, you must insist that children wear safety glasses or goggles whenever they play. Enlist the help of coaches, teachers, health professionals, other parents and players, and anyone else who can promote their use. If you play sports yourself, make sure you are a good role model and wear protective eyewear yourself on the field.
