According to Prevent Blindness America, thousands of eye accidents happen each day. Ninety percent of these accidents are preventable with the use of appropriate safety eyewear. Things to check for in safety wear include...

• Are the lenses made from polycarbonate?
• Do they cover enough of the eye to provide appropriate protection?
• Are they approved? Most sports have an organization that sets safety standards for equipment. Check with the appropriate organization for your particular sport.

An eye injury may damage tissues around the eye as well as the eyeball itself. Injuries that penetrate the eyeball are very serious and may cause blindness. Seek medical attention immediately.

American Red Cross Sport Safety Training can help you learn more about preventing and caring for sport injuries including sport eye injuries. Contact your local Red Cross chapter for more information.

Other Resources:
Protective Eyewear for Young Athletes: A Joint Statement of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Ophthalmology