Sports uniforms should include protective eyewear

August 30, 2010

The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Ophtalmology have released a statement strongly urging those who participate in sports to wear protective eyewear to prevent injury-related damage.

According to the organizations, a sports-related eye injury is treated in an emergency room every 13 minutes. Approximately 43 percent of these injuries occur in people aged 14 or younger.

However, 90 percent of these injuries could be prevented if sports players wear proper eye protection. Lenses made of polycarbonate are 10 times more impact resistant than other plastics.

"The good news is that sports-related eye injuries are easily preventable just by simply wearing the correct eye protection," said president and CEO of Prevent Blindness America, Hugh R Parry. "Unfortunately only 15 percent of children and 33 percent of adults reported that they consistently do that. We need parents to get in the game of safety and show our kids how important it is to protect our eyes now to help insure a lifetime of healthy vision."

The American Optometric Association advises sports fans who are shopping for protective eyewear to also consider glasses that will block out harmful UV radiation.