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Educational content only
This page is general patient education, not medical advice. It does not diagnose conditions, recommend specific treatments for you, or replace a conversation with your eye care provider. Always consult a qualified clinician before making decisions about your eye health.
Most sports eye injuries are preventable with the right protective eyewear. Sport-specific eye protection lets you compete with confidence.
Choosing the right protection
Matched to the sport — what to look for.
Standard
ASTM F803 for ball sports
The ASTM F803 standard covers racquet sports, basketball, baseball, and many others. Look for it on the label. Frames must wrap around for impact protection.
Eye + head
Helmet integrations
Lacrosse, hockey, and football integrate eye protection into helmets or cage systems. Standalone eyewear may not be enough for these sports.
Prescription
Rx sports goggles
Sports goggles can have prescription lenses fitted — eliminating the need to wear contacts under non-prescription protection. Many vision plans cover them.
Water sports
Prescription swim goggles
Prescription swim goggles let serious swimmers see clearly without contacts (which carry water-contamination risk). Available in many prescriptions over-the-counter.
Same-day exam if
Any eye injury from sports — even with eye protection. Subconjunctival hemorrhages, corneal abrasions, and retinal contusions can all happen and benefit from prompt evaluation.
Common questions
Honest answers to common questions.
Do my regular glasses count as protection?+
No — regular glasses can shatter on impact. For sports with eye-injury risk, you need ASTM F803-rated sports eyewear, either over or instead of regular glasses.
My child plays basketball — does she need eye protection?+
Basketball is among the highest eye-injury sports for kids. Sports goggles are a small investment that prevents most basketball-related eye injuries.
Can I use safety glasses for sports?+
ANSI Z87.1 safety glasses are designed for workplace impact, not sports. They lack the wrap-around design and specific impact profile that ASTM F803 requires. Use sport-rated eyewear for sports.
What about contacts during sports?+
Contacts give peripheral vision and don't fall off, but they don't protect the eye from impact. Many athletes combine contacts with protective goggles for the best of both.
Are sports goggles legal in school sports?+
Yes — and many leagues actively encourage them. Some require eye protection for specific sports (lacrosse, racquet sports, hockey). Check with your league for specifics.