Parents should invest in kids' eyes during sports season

March 11, 2011

Now that the snow is finally disappearing and the temperatures are rising, many kids in the U.S. are getting ready to enroll in spring sports. While baseball and soccer are great ways for kids to exercise, it's essential that they keep their eyes protected during athletic events.

Dr. Scott Lambert, a professor of ophthalmology at Emory University, recently offered some tips for parents who want to make sure their youngsters' vision remains intact.

He urges parents to invest in protective eyewear to safeguard the eyes, in addition to other equipment such as helmets and protective pads. Without eye protection, children playing sports are at risk of sustaining injuries that could cause bleeding, cataracts or even blindness.

Youngsters who wear glasses on a day-to-day basis still need to have their eyes protected during sporting events. To keep these kids safe, parents should purchase a pair of protective eyeglasses in the child's prescription. This will allow them to keep their eyes safe and see well during the game.

It's also essential for kids to keep their eyes protected from the sun. According to the American Optometric Association, sunglasses that block out 99 to 100 percent of UV radiation are sufficient to prevent sun damage.