Are you checking off the gear list for your sport or your child's and wondering whether you need special glasses or goggles for eye protection? At Rec Specs, we believe to perform at the top of your game, and to play safe, you need the right pair of sports glasses. If you are playing a high-risk or high-speed activity, or your child is playing sports, you need to wear sports eye protection.

More than 30% of all sports-related injuries are suffered by people playing basketball, baseball and softball. The American College of Sports Medicine divides sports into stratified risk classifications as follows:

Low Risk

Sports that don’t require physical contact and which are lacking equipment that could potentially cause blunt or penetrating trauma, pose the lowest risk for eye injury:

• Gymnastics
• Swimming
• Track and field

High Risk

Sports that require the use of equipment like balls, sticks, paddles or racquets have an increased risk of blunt or penetrating eye injury:

• Basketball
• Baseball/softball
• Hockey
• Lacrosse/field hockey
• Racket sports
• American football
• Soccer

Eye Protection Is the Best Defense Against Sports-Related Eye Injuries

It is recommended that all athletes wear eye protection designed for their sport. Wearing prescription glasses either alone or in addition to goggles or other protective eyewear is not recommended. Instead, each should have their own pair of protective prescription glasses. having ASTM approved eyewear for sports not only for protection but to improve vision performance. They need to look for eyewear marked 'ASTM'.

Recommendations for each sport

Basketball

The best way for basketball players to protect their eyes is with sports eyegear like sports goggles or glasses. Look for products that meet the ASTM F803 standard.  

Frame Recommendation: Slam Goggle Xl

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Hockey

Same with Hockey players, they need a full eyegear for vision protection to avoid major eye injuries or accidents and to show their best performance at their game.

Frame Recommendation: Maxx Air

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Racket Sports

Racquetball, squash, and tennis players should wear sports eye guards that meet ASTM standard. Tennis players are the least likely to hurt their eyes, while indoor court players are more likely to do so.

Frame Recommendation: Slam XL

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American Football

U.S. football players should wear a polycarbonate visor shield that is attached to their faceguard and protects them from UV rays and objects that get through the faceguard grid's holes. Soccer Players should buy goggles or glasses that are approved by ASTM F803- to protect their eyes.

Frame Recommendation: Helmet Spex or Helmet Spex XL

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If you want to check out our full Rec Specs Sports Eyewear Collection, click here to learn more! If you have tried one of our sports glasses or goggles, feel free to comment below!