Participation in sports and recreation activities provides numerous physical, social, emotional, psychological, and educational benefits for children, adolescents, and adults alike.1
However, these activities also place participants at risk for injury, particularly children. An estimated 283,000 children seek care in U.S. emergency departments each year for sports- or recreation-related traumatic brain injuries (TBI), such as concussions.2
While TBIs are at the forefront of public concern about athletic injuries, about 30,000 sports-related eye injuries serious enough to end in a visit to the emergency room occur each year in the United States, and the majority happen to those under the age of 18.3 Sports and recreation activities and equipment are associated with approximately one-fourth of all pediatric eye injuries.4
Different sports offer different levels of injury risk, but no matter the sport, wearing the appropriate protective eyewear is a must to help reduce the chance of injury.
Everyday dresswear eyeglasses, sunglasses, and contact lenses don’t offer adequate protection to guard against potential eye injuries and can actually make an injury worse.
More than 90% of sports- and recreation-related eye injuries can be prevented by using appropriate eye and facial protection.4
The International Sports Vision Association (ISVA) urges parents, coaches, teachers, athletic trainers and athletes of all ages and skill levels to familiarize themselves with the potential for eye injuries in sports and recreational activities. Parents should talk with their eye care professional about recommending specific sports-eyewear protection for their children to help protect their eyes when playing sports.
Download this educational flyer, which can be printed or shared online (if using online, please credit the International Sports Vision Association)