Sports Eye Safety

In 2018, more than 28,000 people are treated for eye injuries related to sports activities. Using the right kind of eye protection while playing sports can help prevent serious eye injuries and even blindness.

Eye injuries prevented:

• Corneal abrasion – scratches on the cornea, the clear front part of the eye
• Inflamed iris – inflammation of the iris, the colored part of the eye
• Hyphema – blood in the clear part of the eye, between the cornea and iris
• Traumatic cataract – clouding of the lens of the eye
• Detached retina – when the retina, the layer of the eye that acts like the film in the camera of the eye to help you see, becomes detached from the back of the eye
• Fracture of the eye socket – broken bone that surrounds the eye

Prevent Blindness recommends that athletes wear activity-specific eye guards when participating in sports. Prescription glasses, sunglasses and even occupational safety glasses do not provide adequate protection. Prescription glasses should NEVER be worn as protective eyewear or underneath goggle type protective eyewear.

Sports-related eye injuries are common, so it’s important to know what kind of protective eyewear is appropriate for each activity.

For sports use, polycarbonate lenses must be used with protectors that meet or exceed the requirements of the current sport-specific ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) International, a global standards development organization. Polycarbonate lenses are the most impact resistant, thinner and lighter than plastic, shatterproof, and provide UV protection. Most sports have a specific ASTM standard which are directed to the specific risks likely to be encountered in that sport. Look for the appropriate ASTM standard on the product and/or its packaging before making a purchase. Consult your eye doctor or the ASTM website (https://www.astm.org/) to find the most current and appropriate ASTM standard for the sport you are playing.

Baseball/Softball