A survey by the Vision Council of America reports that nearly 9 in 10 people (89%) believe children should regularly wear protective eyewear when playing sports, yet just slightly over 1 in 3 (36%) report that their children actually do so.

Of course, nothing can prevent all sports-related eye injuries. But simply making sports goggles a part of athletic uniforms can significantly reduce the likelihood of potentially sight damaging injuries.

Anyone participating in sports and activities should wear eye protection:

baseball or softball
racquetball
tennis
badminton
soccer
football
ice hockey or street hockey
basketball
lacrosse
archery
fencing
boxing
karate
any other activity that uses a ball or racket, involves rough contact with other players, or requires travel at high speed

Ultraviolet light from the sun, even in winter, is a danger in all outdoor sports. UV light contributes to diseases such as cataracts and tumors that affect parts of the eye. Skiers can also get “sunburn” on their eyes (called keratitis). Keratitis is very painful, and it can cause long-term damage to the retina. So, uv eye protection is important year-round.

Protective goggles must be made of the proper materials, and fitted correctly for each wearer. Here’s what you should look for:

• padded or rubber bridges to keep the goggles comfortable
• deep-grooved eyewires to keep the lenses from falling out if the frame is hit hard
• a face-formed shape to provide a wider field of view
• headband attachments to keep the frames from slipping
• lenses made from polycarbonate, a type of clear plastic that is impact resistant
• 100% UV protection and a scratch-resistant coating

To prevent injury and further protect vision, the Vision Council of America also recommends regular comprehensive eye exams.