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More than 90% of sports-related eye injuries can be prevented!

The goal of Save a Sport’s Sight, or SASSi, is to increase awareness and use of appropriate personal protective eyewear during sporting practices and events. It applies to athletes of all ages, regardless of where they’re involved in athletics – organized school sports or recreational venues.

Statistics prove that sports-related eye injuries are a significant public health problem in the U.S. – especially among children. 

• Approximately 600,000 documented sports-related injuries are reported each year in the United States
  

• More than 90% of sports-related eye injuries can be prevented with appropriate protective eyewear.
  

• Approximately 43% of eye injuries happen to children age 15 or younger. Yet only 15% of children wear protective eyewear when playing sports.
  

• 97% of schools do not have a policy regarding protective eyewear in sports.  

Of specific concern is the child wearing eyeglasses or sunglasses while playing sports. An estimated 27,152 eyeglass-related injuries were treated in U.S. emergency rooms in 2002-03. Sports-related injuries represent nearly 40% of those injuries for people 17 and younger – significantly more than any other age group.

 

New Jersey has recently enacted ground-breaking legislation requiring children who wear eyeglasses to wear protective eyewear while participating in certain sports. The American Public Health Association adopted a resolution urging all states to consider legislation comparable to New Jersey’s.