While playing a majority of sports, eye protection is considered as important a concern as protecting any other part of the body.

There are helmets for the head; there are shin pads, shoes, knee pads and leg warmers for the legs, there are body armors, shoulder pads, hand gloves among numerous other protection wear or ‘sports gear’ that is produced for protecting people while they play any sport.

In the case of protective eye wear for sports, the main aim is not only to protect the eyeballs or the area around the eye from hurt or injury, but it is also to improve or stabilize vision to be as clear as possible, as this is necessary in all sports.

Usually, special protective eye wear is prescribed, or used in the following sports – Basketball, Football (in cases of preventing further damage to the already-damaged eyes), Volleyball, Hockey, Tennis, Racquetball, Golf, Shooting, Skiing, Swimming and underwater sports such as Scuba diving, snorkeling etc.

Basketball

While playing basketball, the most likely harm that may come to one’s eyes is when players are jostling or trying to steal the ball. Elbows are swung around wildly while playing basketball, and the target it hits are usually the eyes. Even fingers can mistakenly poke the eyes. Wearing the specified glasses ensures coverage to the eye area completely, reducing any chances of an eye injury while playing to nil.

Shooting

Special lenses are prepared and prescribed for professional shooters that allow them to focus on their target, based on the distance the target is away from the eyes. These glasses are made specifically to be impact-resistant, since the impact or ‘blow-back’ on firing a rifle can be strong. Lenses, like the one pictured above, are usually orange or yellow in colour.

Swimming And Scuba Diving

Swimming is considered as both a sport and an exercise or pass time activity. It is common knowledge that swimming pools are usually filtered and cleaned with chlorine. The chemical stays back in the water and swimmers are subject to severe eye pain and irritation due to this. Thus, the main aim of swimming goggles or swimming eyewear is to prevent water from entering the eyes, while providing clarity underwater.
Similar is the case with Scuba diving goggles and eye wear. Since scuba diving involves reaching deeper into the water, a scuba face mask is usually preferred by most divers.
In both cases, prescription lenses can be sought for. The corrective lens of the face mask or goggles can help in clear vision underwater.

Skiing

Wind, snow and ice are the major disturbances that can fly one’s way when they are skiing downhill. That is why a ski goggle or ski face mask wraps tightly around one’s head and fits in order to completely secure the eyes.
Usually, softer, flexible material is used to make ski goggles. This is done keeping in mind that a brittle lens or goggles may cause damage in case it breaks while skiing.
The lens that is used in ski goggles can also be modified to be a prescribed ‘number’. The tint in the glasses helps in providing contrast in vision while skiing.