Goggles provide essential eye protection for many sports. Most sports goggles meet safety requirements for the American National Standards Institute Z87.1 high impact and high velocity standard and the American Society for Testing and Materials International F803 standard. Find out more about how goggles protect against eye injury and offer a competitive edge.
Active Eye Protection
Goggles are reliable eye protection for contact sports and high-intensity activities. This style of eyewear is recommended for baseball, basketball, boxing, field hockey, handball, racquet sports, soccer, softball, squash and volleyball. Specially-designed goggles are also standard issue for water sports such as diving, swimming and water polo. Snow sports call for a different style of goggles that provide protection from intense glare and exposure to UV radiation.
Wearing goggles during athletic activity can prevent many eye injuries, from corneal abrasion and detached retinas to hyphema, inflamed irises, traumatic cataracts and fractures of the eye socket. Sports are the leading cause of eye injuries for school-aged children. Sports goggles for kids protect against most eye injuries. It is important to select the right size of eyewear and regularly assess the fit and integrity of frames and lenses.
Prescription Goggle Lenses
In addition to providing physical eye protection, prescription sports goggles are the most comfortable and convenient way to correct vision during activities. Depending on the style of eyewear, it may be possible to get goggles fitted with a precise prescription or step diopter lenses adequate for improving vision during sports.
Some goggles specify a range of compatible prescription powers. The shape of goggle lenses and the contoured fit may result in distortion with some high-strength prescriptions. If you require high RX goggles, check to make sure that your prescription is available as an option for the selected style. Prescription sports goggles for kids are a good option for active eyewear that is less likely to get lost or broken than glasses without a securing strap.
Prescription Sports Goggles FAQs
What are the advantages of wearing sports goggles?
Goggles protect eyes from hazards such as impact, dust or liquid. This eyewear provides a close fit and should not shift out of place. Eyeglasses are more prone to slip down or fall off during intense activity and could admit hazards such as projectiles or UV light around the sides.
Which types of goggles are best for sports?
Goggles that provide a comfortably close fit and have a sweat-resistant seal and anti-fog lens coating are good choices for most activities. Certain goggles are intended for contact sports such as basketball or activities that involve impact hazards. Other styles of goggles are specially designed for snow or water sports.
Are all goggles available with prescription lenses?
Goggles may be available with custom prescription lenses, step diopters or standard lenses. Check to see whether a particular style of goggles is compatible with the power of your prescription. Some goggles may specify a range of diopters. High RX goggles are also available to accommodate stronger prescriptions.
How do goggles provide eye protection during sports?
The lenses on goggles protect eyes from abrasion, contact and impact during activity. Straps wrap around the head to keep eyewear in place and cavity seals create a close fit around eyes. Be sure to select the right size of goggles and a lens color suitable for a particular sport.
Do goggles come in different sizes?
Sports goggles are available in adult or youth sizes. Check the available sizes for any style. You should also confirm that measurements of eyewear correspond to the dimensions of your face. Adjust the straps of most goggles and the bridge or nose piece of some styles for the best fit.
