Not long ago, athletes rarely wore eyewear specifically designed to protect their eyes during sports, and sports-related eye injuries were widespread. Today, sports eyewear can be spotted on almost anyone who picks up a ball, bat, racquet or stick — whether they play in the major leagues or the Little League.

Although the League is not enforcing the use of protective goggles, we do, however, STRONGLY recommend their use. Coaches, parents and players should realize that wearing protective eyewear for sports pays off in several ways. Sports goggles are an accepted part of everyday life, much the way bike helmets have become the norm. In addition, both children and adults like the image that wearing protective eyewear gives them: It shows they mean business on the playing field!

Playing Cosom Hockey is generally harmless, but it does involve objects moving at 40 miles per hour or faster. During a typical game, a hockey stick can travel at high speed in a confined space and could strike a player. Another potential danger is that the pucks themselves could fly between 20 and 60 miles per hour.

Flying objects aren’t the only hazard. Many eye injuries come from pokes and jabs by fingers, elbows, heads, particularly in games like hockey where players are in close contact with each other.