It’s summer and the kids are outside playing sports, swimming & enjoying the welcome break from school. As innocent as these past times may seem, there could be some danger to the eyes if the right precautionary measures aren’t taken.
Take for instance these statistics from the Speaker’s Guide:
- Every 13 minutes there is a sports-related eye injury in an ER in the US.
- Every year there are more than 100,000 eye injuries that are sports-related.
- About 13,500 of these injuries result in permanent loss of vision.
- One third of those eye-related injuries involve children under the age of 14.
- Boys aged 11-15 are five times more likely to sustain an eye injury requiring hospital treatment than girls because of their inclination towards sports that use projectiles such as air guns, sticks and darts.
What makes these statistics frustrating to eye care professionals? The fact that up to 90% of these injuries could have been easily prevented with the use of the proper protective eyewear.
Protective eyewear isn’t bulky & a hindrance like it has been in the past. Even for people with vision problems , there are lots of options varying from stylish glasses to contacts depending on the sport.
When it comes to choosing the type of eyewear that is right for you, it is important to look at the differences each pair provides. For each sport or activity there is a different type of eyewear that is best to prevent against injuries that could be sustained.
Some of those differences to look for are:
- Some protective eyewear is made of polycarbonate, which is more resistant to scratches, breaking and is also more lightweight.
- There are some types of eyewear that will be able to reduce glare, which are geared more towards outdoor activities.
- Some eyewear also has light filtering options that make colors more distinct, making them easier to see.
It is important to make sure that both you and your kids are completely prepared for the summer and all of the fun activities ahead. Talk to your eye care specialist to find out what type of protective eyewear is best for you and your kids. Not being prepared isn’t worth potentially life changing injuries.
Make sure you and your family are fully protected today!
Sources:
http://www.bausch.com/en/Vision-and-Age/20s-and-30s-Eyes/Eye-Safety-20s-30s