If you are a parent, then you know that your child being in sports presents a certain amount of risk. However, there are steps you can take to help minimize the risk to your child and there are manufacturers that make a wide variety of protective sporting equipment. One of the simplest and easiest things for you to do is to help protect their eyes during the sports season.
The eyes are of course very important and protecting your child’s vision during high risk activities is a very sensible precaution, especially since most eye injuries is preventable by wearing protection.
So the first thing you need to consider is the kind of sport your child will be doing. Different sports require different levels and types of eye protection. So here are some tips from the best Calgary Optometrists for eye protection based on the sports your child may play:
Volleyball
No matter where it is played, volleyball is a sport that your child should wear safety glasses for. Kids spike balls, dive for them, and hit them at odd angles and more than one player has been hit square in the face by the volleyball going at high speed. The best way to defend against this is to wear safety glasses. These glasses help deflect the blow from the eye itself. Another important aspect is that safety glasses, unlike regular ones, are shatterproof and thus defend against breakage. If your child is playing volleyball outside, the ones that have transitional lenses to protect from staring at the sun or flying sand are also important features.
Baseball
Baseballs can sometimes reach speeds of over 100mph but even a mere 30mph hit to the eyes can be devastating and potentially blinding. In baseball, eye protection begins with a good helmet, ideally one with a built in visor. Getting a helmet that is visor compatible or has one built in is essential to protecting against any wayward throws. These visors are more protective than glasses as they do not sit on the face but are attached to the helmet, thus deflecting the blow and as a bonus they are also shatterproof or shatter-resistant. For catching, any good pair of safety glasses that passes the American Society of Testing and Materials should be good.
Hockey
Hockey pucks are dense and can be slapped very fast. Although hockey helmets can come with visors, many prefer to have a solid wire mesh to protect the face while still allowing for good airflow during an intense game.
So remember, no matter what sport your child chooses to do, if it is a sport with a risk of contact with balls or players, it is important to wear the right eye safety materials so they and you can keep enjoying their games for years.
Thanks to Dr Alex Wilson and Associates for their tips.
