| Tens of thousands of eye injuries are reported | | | | impair your game, but it may well save your sight. |
| each year. The good news is that many of these | | | | Children who participate in organized sports and |
| injuries can be prevented with the use of | | | | need corrective lenses are now required by law in |
| appropriate protective eye wear. Risk of injuries | | | | New Jersey to wear sports protective eyewear, |
| can vary by sport and activity so be sure every | | | | so parents should take special care to ensure |
| member of the family is protected. | | | | their children wear eye protection. A reputable |
| The American Academy of Ophthalmology | | | | optician or optical shop should be able to provide |
| recommends that athletes wear appropriate, | | | | additional information and make recommendations |
| sport-specific protective eyewear properly fitted | | | | based on your child's activities. |
| by an eye care professional. Lenses made from | | | | In the event of an eye injury, it is important to |
| polycarbonate materials provide the highest level | | | | seek medical help immediately. Even a seemingly |
| of impact protection; they can withstand a ball or | | | | light blow can cause a serious eye injury. If a |
| other projectile traveling at 90 miles per hour. | | | | black eye, pain or visual problem occurs after a |
| Many sports create risk for eye injuries; however, | | | | blow, contact your eye physician or seek |
| protection is available for most sports, including | | | | emergency medical help at once. Delaying medical |
| basketball, baseball, hockey, football, lacrosse, | | | | attention could result in permanent vision loss or |
| fencing, paintball, water polo, golf and many | | | | blindness. |
| others. Properly fitted eye protection shouldn't | | | | |