DON'T BECOME A STATISTIC!

Understanding The Risks
The results of a 2001 study by Prevent Blindness America show over 38,000 people experienced a sport related eye injury and needed emergency room treatment and in some cases, even further attention. Some of the highest eye injuries occur in children between the ages of 5 to 14 and are caused by participation in basketball, baseball, softball, football, racquet sports and swimming,
Nearly one-half of eye injuries require costly emergency room care. It’s also important to remember that even if an eye injury seems to be minor; it may be serious. Loss of vision, severe pain or tenderness and cuts around the eye require immediate medical attention.

Don’t Be Duped
If your child plays a sport that requires a helmet or faceguard, don’t make the mistake of thinking your child’s eyes are protected from injuries. Your child’s eyes are still exposed to danger from sports equipment, or an opponent’s fingers penetrating the openings of a facemask.

Likewise, if your child wears glasses, everyday fashion eyewear is not held to the same protective standards as re eyewear products labeled as protective eyewear for sports use. The lens in your child’s regular eyeglasses could easily pop out and puncture or cut the eye. A frame mangled from impact could also injure the eyes and ocular region of the face.

You Can Take Action
The good news is that you can help prevent your child from being sidelined because of a serious eye injury. You can make the decision to protect their eyes as well as the rest of their body by adding protective sport goggles to their equipment bag.
While sport goggles provide significant protection, they cannot guarantee too be unbreakable or guard against all foreseeable impacts. However, a quality pair of sport goggles, equipped with polycarbonate lenses, can be sight savers since they help the eyes and surrounding ocular region safe. For kids who need corrective prescription lenses, your eyecare professional can make a pair of prescription lenses that fit into their sports goggle.

SPORTS WITH THE HIGHEST EYE INJURIES

• Basketball
• Baseball & Softball
• Soccer
• Football
• Other Ball Sports
• Racket Sports
• Hockey
• Water and Pool Activity
• Board Sports
• Biking

Don’t wait for your child to become the next eye injury statistic…add protective sport goggles to their sports gear.