Helping Parents Understand Options for Their Child’s Eyecare
Whether a child needs glasses to see clearly or not, we know that it’s a good idea to wear sports glasses.
Kids are at a greater risk for eye injuries while playing sports. Protective eyewear can help protect their eyes and vision. All it takes is an accidental elbow, ball, or puck to the face to cause devastating injuries or blindness.
Many parents might not think it’s a big deal. And often, you may only get parents inquiring about them if their child needs a prescription to see. Here’s how to help parents understand the available options for protecting their child’s eyesight while playing sports.
1 | Stress the Consequences of Playing Without
Kids might be embarrassed to play with protective glasses on or parents may not know these types of eyewear are available. Make sure you spend time talking about the consequences of playing without protective eyewear. Then, make sure to speak with them about how sports glasses can protect children from blunt trauma, penetrating injuries, and even UV rays from the sun during outdoor sports play.
2 | Talk About the Different Options Available
There are many different types of protective eyewear and some are sport-specific. For example, ice hockey uniforms often come with a helmet that includes some face protection and swimmers often get swimming goggles. Snowboarders and skiers should wear goggles that reduce glare and protect the eyes from the sun. But most don’t think about sports such as soccer or basketball. Kids in these sports should wear wraparound sports goggles or glasses. Have a chat about the different sports the child may be involved in and the best options for them, including whether they need prescription sports eyewear.
3 | Talk About the Protection Level
Sports eyewear is all about safety. This means that parents should look for glasses that meet certain safety standard levels. Often, protective eyewear is made with ultra-strong polycarbonate lenses. This makes them lightweight while also less prone to shattering if they are hit while providing protection to the wearer’s eyes. Either help parents select the right eyewear, or tell them to select sports glasses that meet the standards published by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM).
Sport glasses also provide better protection when they are well-fitting. It can be tough to find just the right fit for little faces. Too loose and they won’t offer the necessary protection. Too tight and a child may refuse to wear them. The best course of action is to select eyewear that offers some adjustability in things such as the nose pads, straps, or wraparound bands to get the best fit. Molded padding can also improve comfort.
Final Thoughts
Some parents may be concerned about the cost of sports eyewear, especially for a growing child. Be sure to stress that protecting their child’s eyes is an investment that should be made, and that sports glasses are much less expensive than hospital bills! Work with parents to find the right sports glasses for their child that fits their budget and provides the necessary amount of protection.