More than 40,000 athletes suffer eye injuries, the vast majority of which are preventable

For some of us, life in Wisconsin fosters a love for outdoor winter sports. For the rest of us, spring means it’s time to venture outdoors again. So we dig out our rackets and tennis shoes, dust off our clubs or bikes, and get moving. Whether it is winter or summer, organized team sports or just goofing around in the yard, we need to stay focused on eye safety as we head out to play. Each year in the U.S., more than 40,000 athletes suffer eye injuries, the vast majority of which are preventable.

Athletes need to get outfitted with protective eyewear because eye injuries can be devastating, even life-changing. Eye injuries are one of the leading causes of visual impairment in children. And state of the art technology brings stronger, lighter, faster-moving equipment, which increases the potential for sports-related injuries. Children are particularly susceptible to eye injuries because of their fearless style of play and athletic immaturity. Many children’s sports leagues, teams and schools don’t require participants to wear eye protection. Parents, teachers and coaches should insist that children wear it every time they play and set a good example by wearing eye protection themselves.

Athletes can now choose from many styles of sturdy, lightweight, and even fashionable protective eyewear. When fitted properly, they do not hinder performance and can prevent 90 percent of sports eye injuries. Just make sure that the style of eyewear you choose is appropriate for your sport and that it contains lenses made of polycarbonate or Trivex. Both are tough, shatter-resistant materials which are 10 times more impact-resistant than regular plastic lenses, and give the added benefit of screening out the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays. Your eye care professional can guide you to insure that you take advantage of the best technology available for your particular needs.