Eye Protection Is For Everyone

Our eyes are one body part that is highly vulnerable to injury. We tell our children from a very early age to be careful with their eyes. don't play with sticks and don't point scissors or other sharp/pointy objects at your face. We warn of the consequences. You can't replace your eyesight.

Most people wear protective gear when playing sport. Shin pads, helmets, batting gloves, groin protectors to name a few, but most people forget about their eyes. If you need to wear prescription glasses or contact lenses, sport goggles are the way to go, but they aren't just for those who need prescriptions! With sport being the major cause of serious eye injury in the UK, protective goggles are becoming more popular. Squash balls are responsible for about 2,000 hospital admissions each year. When you find out that an A grade player can hit a ball at speeds of up to 200 kph and that the ball can have four times the energy of a .22 calibre bullet, you realise the damage that can be caused. Bleeding inside the eye (hyphaema) possibly leading to glaucoma, tears to the pupil, damage to the retina, fractures of the eye socket requiring surgery are some of the outcomes of being struck by a squash ball. If you play squash or any racquet ball type of sport you really should be wearing eye protection.

There are many types of sport goggles available, designed for particular sporting needs. Most are designed for racquet sports to protect your eyes from flying objects, others will fit under headgear. They are made from a polycarbonate material (plastic) that protects against UV rays and is scratch and impact resistant. Rubber cushioning on the polycarbonate frames gives a comfortable fit. The wrap-around style is good for outdoor sports. When my son started playing football I didn't want him to wear his glasses in case they got broken. Poor child couldn't see the ball and was very football-challenged! We had sports goggles made, the type with the adjustable band around the head. Excellent result. He could see the ball to make contact with it and not just kick the air beside the ball!

Masks designed for swimming and diving are essential to protect your eyes underwater. They too can have prescriptions. What about skiing and other snow sports like snowboarding? Snow reflects up to around 80% of light and ski goggles, if fitted with polarised lenses, will reduce the glare and provide great protection from the UV rays.

Don't forget about eye protection in the workplace and around the home. When operating machinery or tools that could possibly send debris flying into your eyes, make sure you wear safety glasses. Even cutting the lawn can be hazardous. Twigs or stones can hurtle from under the mower and strike your eye. Pouring chemicals from one container to another could splash into your eyes. When outdoors wear good quality sunglasses and a hat to shade your eyes from glare and UV rays.

Take good care of your eyes. You don't get a second chance if you damage them.