If you play sports like
tennis, racket ball, soccer, baseball or basketball, did you know you are at risk for sports-related eye injuries? Each year, an estimated 40,000 sports-related eye injuries occur in the
United States and one-third of the victims are children, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology. The good news is that an estimated 90 percent of all sports-related eye injuries
can be prevented with sports eyewear. The most common eye-related sports injuries are abrasions, contusions, detached retinas, cataracts, corneal lacerations, hemorrhages and loss of the eye.
A fast-moving ball, an unexpected poke or jab, or an out-of-control racket can all lead to eye injuries. Our optometrist in Maple Ridge offers sports-related eyewear specifically designed to
reduce the risk for eye injury and protect your vision.
Protect Your Vision with Custom Fitted Sports Eyewear
Our eye doctor recommends that all individuals participating in sports wear protective eyewear, especially young children. Protective eyewear not only reduces the risk for eye injury and vision damage, but can also improve athletic performance by enhancing vision. For example, sports goggles can be made with prescription lenses, making it easier to see and safer to play the sport than simply wearing corrective lenses. At Maple Ridge Eye Care, we proudly carry ProGear Sports Eyewear, which produces sports eyewear specifically for children and adolescents, in addition to adult sports eyewear.
Lens and frame selection, along with proper fit, are important elements to keep in mind when selecting sports eyewear. Sports eyewear lenses are typically made from polycarbonate, which means the lenses are strong, lightweight, thin and impact-resistant. Polycarbonate also offers UV protection, a valuable benefit for outdoor sports. The lenses are usually treated with a scratch-resistant coating for added durability. Our optometrist in Maple Ridge recommends selecting a frame with rubber padding to cushion the frame at the temple and bridge impact points. The frame should be secured tight to the head by an elasticized band so that it won't fall off or be easily knocked off during an impact.
Sports eyewear fit is essential for maximizing vision protection. A precise fit is especially important with young children, where it can be tempting to purchase a slightly larger goggle so a child has room to “grow into” the larger size. However, a size that is too large won’t provide adequate protection against eye injury and could even increase the risk for accidental injury. On the flip side, allowing a child to wear sports goggles that are too small for the child’s face could also have a detrimental impact on the child’s eye safety and athletic performance. Not only are small goggles uncomfortable, but they can also obstruct peripheral vision, slowing reaction speeds when playing sports. Our eye doctor works closely with each patient to ensure a proper fit for all athletic eyewear.
For more information on protective sports eyewear, schedule an appointment with one of our Maple Ridge optometrists Dr. M. Hurlbert, Dr. Gary A. Matter, Dr. Priya Rughani or Dr. Jason Naidu today!