We get it. Protective eye gear doesn’t look the “coolest.” You know what else doesn't look cool? Missing a goal because you couldn't see the ball!
Around 40,000 sports-related eye injuries occur every year, many of which cause permanent damage or blindness. With spring sports ramping up, it's important to remember that regular eyeglasses don't keep your eyes adequately safe and protected during contact sports. There are several products, such as goggles and eye guards specifically designed for popular school sports.
While adults should also join the goggle gang, children, in particular, should always wear protective eye gear when active in sports. According to the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, 50% of eye injuries are sports-related. Any sport involving an object (like a ball) that is thrown or kicked at high speeds can result in injury. Eye injuries are most common in baseball, basketball and soccer, since helmets are not worn to protect the face.
Safety sport goggles and guards are available in a wide variety of styles and colors. For baseball, softball and lacrosse, for example, players should wear a face-mask made from a lightweight plastic or shield beneath the helmet. Goggles should be worn for tennis or racquetball, while eye guards should be worn for soccer.
We offer a variety of protective eye gear at Annapolis Opticians, with prescriptions available in all of our active frames. Protective lenses are made out of polycarbonate, which is impact resistant. Perfect for flying elbow protection! Our certified Opticians can make sure your gear is secure and fits you properly. We just can't promise we'll improve your tennis serve.