Eye injuries in basketball

• Youth basketball players run a 1 in 10 chance of suffering an eye injury;

• Basketball is the leading cause of sports-related eye injury in athletes age 15 to 24.

• Nearly all (96.6%) of NBA basketball players suffering eye injuries in one study were not wearing protective eyewear at the time of their injury. 

• Safety goggles can eliminate 90% of eye injuries in basketball.

What to look for in protective eyewear 

• 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 lenses since they are virtually unbreakable.

Source: AthleticOptics.com