Recommended Sports Eye Protectors

Protect Your Eyes While Playing Sports

In 2025, more than 44,000 people were treated for eye injuries related to sports activities. The good news is that many of these injuries could have been minimized or prevented by wearing the right protective eyewear while playing sports.

Prevent Blindness recommends that athletes wear activity-specific eye protection when participating in sports. Prescription glasses, sunglasses, contact lenses, and even occupational safety glasses do not provide adequate protection for sports eyewear. Sports eye protection is stronger and doesn’t break as easily as regular glasses.

Choose the protective eyewear recommended for your sports activity to reduce risk of eye injury.

Why is Sports Eye Protection Important?

Eye injuries can happen in an instant. Balls, pucks, racquets, paddles, bats, sticks, elbows, and fingers can all cause serious damage to the eye. Some eye injuries include:

  • Scratches to the cornea (the clear front part of the eye)
  • Inflammation of the eye
  • Bleeding in or around the eye
  • Cataract due to trauma
  • Retinal injuries
  • Broken bones around the eye
  • Vision loss

How to Choose the Right Sports Eye Protection?

  • Choose your eye protection based on the sport activity
  • Use polycarbonate lenses (most impact resistant material )
  • Ensure it meets the appropriate ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) standard for your sport
  • Ensure it fits properly and comfortably
  • If needed, verify it is compatible with your helmet or other protective equipment
  • Make sure it is not damaged or scratched
  • Follows your sport organization’s equipment rules

An eye care professional can help you choose the best option that meets your needs, especially if you wear prescription lenses.

Tips for Buying Sports Safety Eyewear

Note: Some sports require more than just protective eyewear to protect your face and head. For example, helmet-mounted face guards, face shields, or face cages may also be recommended or required depending on the sport, age of the player, and league rules.

What is ASTM?

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) International develops safety standards for protective sports eyewear. Products that meet the appropriate ASTM standard have been tested to help reduce the risk of eye injuries during specific sports.

Sports Standards and Recreation Standards: Eye Safety for Sports

What is NOCSEA?

NOCSAE (National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment) is the national organization that sets the safety standards for protective sports equipment — like helmets and faceguards — to help reduce the risk of sports related head and face injuries.

Recommended Eye Protection by Sport

*Always follow your league’s equipment rules in addition to national safety standards.

**Safety Equipment Institute (SEI)

***The Hockey Equipment Certification Council (HECC) approval label