September is Sports Eye Safety Month
Suit Up for Sports Safety
Avoid sports-related eye injuries, make sure to wear protective eyewear
Shin guards for soccer, shoulder pads for football, and batting helmets for baseball and softball. Almost every sport has its own unique safety equipment, but according to Dr. Sundeep Kaur, most participants in sports forget to protect one of the most important parts of the body: the eyes.
“Sports are the leading cause of eye injuries in children under 16,” Dr. Kaur said. “Most of these could be avoided simply by wearing proper eye protection.” Some parents may not be aware of that NJ Law has mandated that any child who wears corrective eyeglasses must wear sports glasses when playing certain sports* to help prevent eye injuries.
Protective sports eyewear can help prevent injuries such as fracture of the eye socket, scratched corneas, swollen retinas, and even cataracts caused by trauma to the eye. Parents of children who participate in sports should insist that their children wear protective eyewear.
“September is Sports Eye Safety Awareness Month,” Dr. Kaur said. “We encourage anyone who participates in sports – children and adults alike – to remember to outfit the eyes for safety. Today’s protective eyewear is lightweight, comfortable, and available with or without vision correction.”
Sports activity is the leading cause of eye injuries in children but fortunately, the great majority of these can be prevented by wearing protective eyewear. Children who do not wear corrective prescription eye glasses or those who wear contact lenses are not mandated by the law. However, it is highly recommend that all children and adults wear sports glasses while participating in sports in order to prevent eye injuries.
We welcome you to stop by and check out some great options in protective sports eyewear available with prescription lenses. They are designed to meet and exceed the strictest lens standards without sacrificing sight or style. We hope to see you soon.
* NJ Law – Any child who wears corrective eyeglasses while participating in racquetball, squash, tennis, women’s lacrosse, basketball, women’s field hockey, badminton, paddle ball, soccer, volleyball, baseball or softball, sponsored by a school, community or government agency, shall be required to wear protective eyewear that meets the frames standards of the American Society.