Basketball
is the leading cause of sports-related eye injury in athletes age 15 to
24. A study found that nearly all (96.6%) NBA basketball players suffering eye injuries were not wearing protective eyewear at the time of their injury.
Protective eyewear is available in either a goggle design or a shield;
Regardless of the design you chose for your child, the frame
should cover the entire socket and not just the eyeball;
If selecting a
shield, look for a frame that fits closely to the face, so as to minimize the
potential for a finger to get underneath and displace the frame.
The frame
should be padded at the temple and bridge to absorb some of the
shock, lessen the overall impact, and limit damage the frame may cause
to the face;
An elasticized band works best to hold the frame in place. Regular
temples will not secure the frame tightly enough and a finger could displace
the frame and end up in your child's eye; and
In addition to having an impact resistant
lens, the frame must also be able to withstand impact. Frames molded with
propionate are lightweight and offer strength and flexibility.
Look for polycarbonate[1]
lenses since they are virtually unbreakable.
Most importantly, says optician Noah Shriber, buy goggles that your child actually likes. Sport goggles now come in a variety of colors and shapes to fit every child's needs.
Safety Goggles Prevent Most Eye Injuries in Youth Basketball:
Teaser text:
Eye injuries in youth basketball are common. Nine out of 10 eye injuries in youth basketball are preventable if a child wears safety goggles. Here's what to look for when buying goggles for your child.