September is Sports Eye Safety Month
With school back in session, sports are also in full swing!
September is a good reminder to keep your children’s eyes safe (and yours!) while they participate in sporting events.
Basketball is the #1 sport for eye injuries.
According to the American Optometric Association (AOA), one in 10 college basketball players will suffer an eye injury in each season. Racquetball and baseball are also high on the list for eye injuries, followed by notable mentions football, hockey, soccer, and lacrosse.
Protective eyewear can prevent up to 90% of sports-related eye injuries according to the National Eye Institute (NEI). Yet, only 32% of adults wear eye protection during sports and only 50% of parents make sure their children are wearing eye protection.
How can I protect my child’s eyes?
The best type of eye protection will depend on the individual sport. In some sports, like hockey, the eye protection can be a part of the helmet by using an attached face shield. In others, a separate eyeglasses frame will need to be worn.
If your child is concerned about “looking funny” with their eye protection, remind them of NBA superstar Kareem Abdul Jabber who wore safety sports glasses. Or NBA hall of famer James Worthy. Or even the swim goggles that Michael Phelps wears to protect his eyes each time he dives into the pool. There are plenty of professional athletes who aren’t afraid to protect their eyes!
Where can I get safety sports eyewear?
You can get sports eyewear right here at Vision Source Mandan! Let our trained and experienced staff help you.
Top image by Pixabay on Pexels (location) used under Creative Commons Zero (CCO) License. Image has been cropped and modified from original. Image rights state commercial use and modifications allowed when image was obtained on 08/29/2017.
The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.