SPORTS PROTECTIVE EYEWEAR
Make protective eyewear part of your child’s sports equipment!
Sports-related eye injuries are more common than you may think! Did you know that nearly 30,000 sports-related eye injuries are treated in emergency rooms each year in the U.S.? While this number may be shocking, 90% of these serious eye-related injuries could have been prevented with protective eyewear.
The most common types of eye injuries that can happen while engaged in sporting activities include:
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Blunt Trauma. This occurs when an object collides the eye with blunt force. This is the most common type of eye-related injury and can cause retinal detachment, broken bones around the eye socket, iris injury, and retinal tears.
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Corneal Abrasion. This occurs when the eye surface comes in contact with a foreign object. This may include getting poked in the eye, a scratched eyeball, dust, or sand getting into the eye. The effects of this type of injury can result in eye redness, blocked tear ducts, vision impairment, and infection.
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Do my child's regular glasses protect them from sports-related eye injuries?
It is important to know that wearing corrective prescription lenses and contact lenses provides little or no protection. Regular eyewear may even cause a more severe eye injury!
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How do I choose the right
protective eyewear for sports?
While there is no single device able to prevent all eye-related injuries, wearing sports eye protection that meets strict American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards for the sports being played can significantly reduce the risk of sports-related eye injury. Be sure to choose 100% UVA and UVB protection for outdoor sports to further protect your eyes.
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For sports that can have various light situations, consider Photochromic (lenses that change colour) or tinted lenses. Frames must be used with a sports band or retention strap to ensure they stay in place during physical activities.
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Still not sure where to start? We are here to help! At Lake Views Eye Care, we carry a wide selection of Protective Eyewear for kids that meets the ASTM Standards. Our knowledgeable staff can help you find the right product for your specific needs. Give us a call, 519-832-5000. We look forward to helping you.
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