Play (Eye) Ball!: Summer Sport Eye Safety Tips for Kids

Now that T-ball and other summer sports are in full swing, many organizations are recognizing UV Safety Awareness month and warning parents of the dangers of ultraviolet rays and contact sports when it comes to children's eyes and vision.

“Children are exposed to more sunlight under the age of 16 than they will be for the rest of their life," said Rozanna Mack, a certified optician at Oakland Optometry. "Good UV protection for their eyes is important.”

“UV radiation can damage the surface of the eye’s tissue as well as the cornea and lens,” said Dr. Mark Roy, optometrist and owner of Oakland Optometry. “Many people are unaware of the danger and don’t realize that just having proper eyewear can protect them from this permanent damage.”

Without proper protection, exposure to ultraviolet rays can cause macular degeneration and early cataracts, said Mack. "At this time, there isn't a lot of success in doing much for (macular degeneration)," which causes blindness due to damage to the retina, she said.

Protecting your child's eyes from injury is also very important, said Mack. “All the kids who are playing sports, make sure they’re wearing sports eyewear.”

Here are some startling facts released by professional organizations and government agencies:

• More than 600,000 eye injuries related to sports and recreation occur each year. (Source: Tri-Service Vision Conservation and Readiness Program)
• 42,000 of those injuries are of a severity that requires emergency room attention. (Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission)
• An estimated 13,500 cases result in permanent loss of sight. (Source: Protective Eyewear Certification Council)
• Approximately 72 percent of sports-related eye injuries occur in people younger than 25, and approximately 43 percent occur in children younger than 15. (Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission)
• More than 90 percent of all eye injuries can be prevented with the use of appropriate protective eyewear. (Source: Prevent Blindness America)
• Sports participants using "street wear" (lenses that are not shatter-resistant or recommended for sports) are at a far greater risk of eye injury than participants using no eye protection at all. (Source: National Eye Institute)
• The American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Ophthalmology and American Optometric Association all strongly recommend protective eyewear for all participants in sports in which there is a risk of eye injury.

To help ensure eye safety for children who participate in sports, Prevent Blindness America recommends parents take the following steps:

• If your child wears prescription glasses, ask your eye doctor to fit your child for prescription eyeguards.
• If your child is a monocular athlete (a person with only one eye that sees well), ask your eye doctor what sports your child can safely participate in. Monocular vision affects depth perception. Monocular athletes should always wear sports eyeguards.
• Buy eyeguards at sports specialty stores or optical stores. At the sports store, ask for assistance from a sales representative who's familiar with eye protectors.
• Some eyeguards are available with anti-fog coating. Others have side vents for additional ventilation. Have your child try on different types to determine which is most comfortable.
• Check the packaging to see whether the eye protector your child selects has been tested for sports use.
• Sports eyeguards should be padded or cushioned along the brow and bridge of the nose. Padding will prevent the eyeguards from cutting your child's skin.
• Have your child try on the eye protector to determine whether it's the right size.

“We always remember to take care of their skin but not their eye coverage," said Mack. “It is a good idea for the kids to have some kind of eye protection when they’re outside."

Mack warns of over-the-counter sunglasses that do not have UV protection, explaining that wearing tinted lenses can actually be worse for your eyes than not wearing sunglasses at all.

“As you block the light, the pupil opens up more," she explained, "and if you’re not blocking the UV rays and the pupil’s larger, you’re getting even more UV than if you didn’t have your sunglasses on.”

She also emphasized the importance of having lenses that are specifically designed for sports, such as shatter-resistant polycarbonate lenses.

“We have a whole line of sports glasses for kids, and what some parents will do is put a transition lens in there, and the transition will have the UV protection they need," Mack said. "It will adjust to the conditions when they’re out playing.”