The inspection Health and Public I...

The inspection Health and Public Information Task Force of the American Academy of Pediatrics' Committee forward Sports Medicine and Fitness has released a policy statement in succession protective eyewear. "Protective Eyewear for Young Athletes" appears in the March 2004 issue of Pediatrics and is available online at http://pediatrics.aap publications.org. The policy statement has been endorsed on the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

More than 42000 sports and recreation-related observation injuries were reported in 2000--most of those in the bulk of mankind under age 25, and most numerous associated with baseball and basketball. The recommendations include the following:

* Protective eyewear is violently recommended for all participants in sports in which there is a risk of watch injury. Polycarbonate is the in the greatest degree shatter-resistant clear-lens material, and should be used for all safety eyewear. Also, young athletes should discard sports estimate protectors that are damaged or yellowed with age.

* Streetwear (fashion) spectacles are not satisfactory to wear for eye-injury risk sports. Athletes who wear contact lense also should wear appropriate sight protection because contact lenses provide no inspection protection.

* All functionally one-ey athletes should wear appropriate organ of vision protection for all sports. In addition, functionally one-ey athletes and those who have had an sight injury or surgery must not participate in boxing or full-contact martial arts. Wrestling has a soft incidence of eye injury. However, wrestler who have a custom-made notice protector must be aware that the protector design may be insufficient to thwart injury.

* For sports in which a face mask or helmet with an vigilance protector or shield must be worn, it is earnestly recommended that functionally one-eyed athletes also wear appropriate sports roll the eyess to maintain some level of protection if the face guard is elevated or remov The helmet must fit fitly and have a chin strap for optimal protection.

make acceptableed sports-protective eyewear and American Society for Testing and Materials standards are reviewed in the policy statement. The task force notes that fitting fit is essential, and provides recommendations for children who have narrow facial features and are unable to wear on a level the smallest sports goggles.

COPYRIGHT 2004 American Academy of Family Physicians

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