Usa: athletes need eye protection

In 2000, in the United States, more than 42,000 eye injuries were reported due to sports and recreation. More than 70 percent of these injuries involved people younger than 25. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Ophthalmology say eye protectors could reduce the risk of significant eye injury in sports by at least 90 percent.

Children are particularly at risk because of their aggressive playing styles and lack of athletic maturity. High-risk sports include baseball, basketball and paintball. The groups recommending helmets with face guards for baseball batters and base runners, and safety goggles for basketball, racket sports and soccer.