Is It Necessary for Kids To Wear Sports Glasses?
We also know that there are risks: people can be injured. So here come the helmets, the pads, and the mouthguards that help protect players from unnecessary damage. But what about the eyes?
Most eye injuries across all ages come from accidents that occur during sports or other physical activities. And kids are no exception, with it being one of the leading causes of childhood blindness. Up to 90% of these injuries could have been avoided with proper protective eyewear, so it is necessary for kids to wear sports glasses.
Eye trauma can generally be categorized into three categories: blunt, penetration, and radiation. Eyes are sensitive, and even what might appear to be a slight issue at first can hide more substantial damage. You can participate, or allow your child to participate, in activities and take practical steps to maintain eye safety and health simply by wearing the appropriate eye protection.
Practical Considerations When Selecting Sports Glasses
Protective eyewear comes in a wide array of styles and types, depending on your child's needs. From typical safety glasses and goggles for hobbies to stylish sports glasses you might see on TV, there is a variety.
The materials sports glasses are made from make a massive difference in safety when playing. Like any safety gear, you will want to carefully choose lens and frame materials for the activities your child will participate in.
Glass is not a common material for sports lenses because it can shatter with a heavy enough impact. Plastic materials are the most common type used for lenses today.
One type, polycarbonate lenses, are highly durable and have a hard coating applied to help minimize scratching. These thermoplastic composite lenses have become the go-to material of choice in sports where impacts are highly likely.
For the frames, you will find most modern glasses have pretty durable materials. Sports frames tend to favor selections that allow for additional flexibility and more face coverage. For high-impact and sports activities with water and wind, consider a design that forgoes the temple, hinge, and screw entirely for an elastic band that goes around the entire head or fully encapsulates your eyes.
Picking Out the Right Pair for Your Child
Sports glasses get worn for extended periods when you will be sweating. The areas where they touch the face should be cushioned and made from hypoallergenic materials that are easy to clean.
It is always important to test fit the pair you are considering. The glasses shouldn’t feel tight or put pressure on your kid’s face, but they need to be snug enough not to move around when participating. So try a pair at your local sports store or optometrist’s office and have your child do some warm-ups, shake their head around, and see how they stay in place.
And when it comes to picking out the final pair, unless you need to match team colors, feel free to let your child decide on frame and strap colors. Glasses come in a wide variety of frame styles and colors. Allow them to participate in picking the frame they want, as this can be a fun way to personalize their own look.
Helping Younger Kids Adapt to Wearing Sports Glasses
Having a pair of well-fitted and customized sports glasses does not do any good if your child doesn’t regularly wear them. While you can’t make them love the idea of wearing any kind of glasses, you can help make them more comfortable and more willing to wear them.
- Incorporate it into a routine: Start working glasses and their care into pre-sport routines. Keep them in a protective case while in bags, and work to have the sports glasses as part of the overall uniform.
- Keep it fun: Bolster your kid's confidence with a compliment or two, give cool examples of famous people or favorite characters who wear glasses, and gamify wearing them as an incentive to help form good habits.
- Be patient: Getting used to glasses takes time, be patient as they adapt to the change. The attitude you show is the one they will adopt.
Find a Sports or Protective Eyewear Specialist for Your Child
While some styles, materials, and lens options apply to several sports and hobbies, it is crucial for your eye health to ensure that you get the correct pair that offers the protection and safety you need. Come to Asheville Vision and Wellness to pick out your or your child's new pair of protective glasses.
Our optometrists are trained to deliver the perfect fit and style for our customers’ needs. We can ensure your child’s prescription or sports glasses are perfect with on-site optical finishing. With a wide array of carried brands, we are sure to find a style that gets them excited to wear their new pair(s) of glasses.
Whether you need a yearly eye exam or just need to grab a new pair of glasses, contact us today. Our eye doctors are trained to provide our patients with a wide variety of eye care, including comprehensive eye examinations, contact lenses, and medical eye evaluations.