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Eye Protection in Racket Sports: An Update
The Physician and Sportsmedicine
|July 13, 2016
Summary
Eye injuries in racquet sports led to research on protective eyewear. Approved eye guards, especially those with polycarbonate lenses, are essential for preventing serious eye injuries from high-speed balls.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology and Sports Medicine
- Protective Eyewear Technology
Background:
- Increased incidence of eye injuries in squash and racquetball during the late 1970s necessitated the development of effective eye protection.
- Early investigations revealed limitations in existing protective gear, including the ineffectiveness of lensless guards and the structural failure of some lensed guards upon impact.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of eye protectors for racquet sports.
- To establish safety standards for sports eye guards capable of withstanding high-velocity impacts.
Main Methods:
- Research involved analyzing the performance of various eye guards against ball impacts.
- Development and implementation of standardized testing protocols by Canadian and US organizations to ensure protective capabilities.
Main Results:
- Lensless eye guards were found to be ineffective in preventing injuries.
- Some existing lensed eye guards failed due to shattering frames upon impact.
- Seven commercially available eye guards now meet established Canadian or US safety standards, designed to protect against a 90 mph ball impact.
Conclusions:
- Polycarbonate lenses offer the best material for sports eye guards due to their impact resistance.
- Approved eye guards are crucial; neither experience, regular prescription glasses, nor lensless guards provide adequate protection against racquet sport injuries.
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