Wellness Center

Eye Protection Advice

Hospitals and clinics treat approximately 40,000 children and adults annually for eye injuries related to sports activities. Because not everyone seeks medical treatment for eye injuries, the number of eye injuries is suspected to be higher — by as much as 100,000 per year.

Most of these injuries can be prevented, just by using well-fitting eye protection appropriate for your sport.

In certain instances (such as strong prescriptions) polycarbonate lenses may not be suitable for street frames. Your ophthalmologist can use an allyl-resin plastic in its stead, although it's not as strong as polycarbonate.

If the sport in which you or your child participates requires helmets or face masks, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that sports eyeguards with polycarbonate lenses also be worn, particularly in the case of one-eyed athletes, or those who have had eye injury or surgery. Athletes who have had eye injury or surgery, or who have good vision out of only one eye should not participate in boxing, wrestling, and full-contact martial arts.

Contact lenses and regular street glasses do not provide adequate eye protection. Neither do glasses without lenses or eye protectors that are yellowed with age.

Protective eyewear might be needed for other sports, too. Check with your ophthalmologist, optometrist, or other health care provider if you or your child participates in a sport not listed

Sources:

1. Recommended Sports Eye Protectors. Prevent Blindness America. Available at: http://www.preventblindness.org/ safety/recommended.html. Accessed February 20, 2007.

2. Sports with High Risk of Eye Injury with Appropriate Eye Protectors. American Academy of Pediatrics. Available at: http://www.aap.org/ policy/01497t2.htm. Accessed February 20, 2007.

3. A Special Focus on Paintball and Eye Safety. American Academy of Ophthalmology. Available at: http://www.medem.com/ MedLB. Accessed February 20, 2007.

4. Protective Eyewear for Young Athletes (RE9630), American Academy of Pediatrics. Available at: http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/. Accessed February 20, 2007.

5. What You Can Do To Protect Your Eyes. American Academy of Ophthalmology, 2001.

6. Ultraviolet Light: A Hazard to Children (RE9913). American Academy of Pediatrics. Available at: http://www.aap.org/ policy/re9913.html. Accessed February 20, 2007.

This information is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis of specific medical conditions. You should seek prompt professional medical attention if you have a particular concern about your health or specific symptoms. Wellsource, Inc. is not liable for any health consequences resulting from your use of this site.