Eye Protection in Racket Sports: An Update

In brief: A growing number of eye injuries in squash and racquetball in the late 1970s triggered research on eye protectors for these sports. The investigations showed that lensless eye guards were ineffective and that the frames of some lensed eye guards shattered when hit by a ball. Subsequently, Canadian and US organizations set standards for eye guards, requiring that the devices protect the eye from a ball traveling at 90 mph. Seven commercially available eye guards now meet the Canadian or US standard or both. Polycarbonate is the best lens material for eye guards. There is no substitute for approved eye guards; neither experience nor ordinary prescription glasses nor lensless eye guards provide good protection.