Prevent Blindness America has recently declared September as Sports Eye Health and Safety Awareness Month. When it comes to playing sports, children and teens with vision correction needs are often forced to make a decision that could potentially compromise their safety and athletic ability: do I take my glasses off for the game?

There are many options available that provide safe alternatives to removing glasses during athletic performance. For a list of recommendations for eye protection, please visit StarPupils.org, a site recently launched by Prevent Blindness America to educate parents on the importance of eye safety in sports. As always, please consult your eye care practitioner when determining the best option for you or your children.

When it comes to children's eye health and sports, the National Eye Institute reports some pretty eye-opening statistics: 43% of sports and recreational eye injuries occur in children under the age of 15. Also, a sports-related eye injury is treated in an emergency room in the United States every 13 minutes. To avoid being a statistic, remember to gear up with eye protection prior to participating in sports.

Our Contact Sports program also educates children, teens and parents about the importance of vision health, safety and convenience when it comes to sports. To learn more about contact lenses and sports, please visit mycontactsports.com.