Performance of Eye Protectors for Squash and Racquetball

In brief Although squash and racquetball eye protectors are available and many people wear them, eye injuries still exist. The authors studied the ability of the 13 eye protectors currently available in Canada to protect the players' eyes. The eye guards were mounted on a headform, and balls were thrown at it at speeds from 50 to 100 mph. This was recorded on high-speed film that was analyzed to determine ball speed, lens or frame deformation, and damage during impact. Eye contact with protectors having lenses was confirmed only once in 54 impacts. All 17 hits to the open eye guards produced ball-eye contact. The authors suggest that standards for eye protectors should be established.