Sports and Safety

Author: Debra Bennett, ABOC, NCLE-AC

Debra Bennett has no relevant financial relationships to disclose. The content and format of this course is presented without commercial bias and does not claim superiority of any commercial product or service.

Course Description

Patients depend on their eye care professionals for the best advice and guidance when it comes to vision and ocular health. We must continue to ask questions on a daily basis that will help define all of our patient’s activities and interests. When a patient presents information that they participate in sports, hobbies or professional endeavors that could compromise their eye safety, it is our duty to warn and advise on the use of additional eye wear to provide the best protection available. It is certain that the future holds more and new dangers to the eyes. The optical industry must continue to uphold current eye safety standards and lead the way in eye injury prevention by adapting and re-evaluating risks and safeguards on a routine basis.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course, ECP’s will be able to:

• Categorize injuries related to sports or occupations
• Distinguish injuries that can be prevented with safety eyewear
• Analyze the relative risks of sporting activities
• Choose protection for a variety of sports
• Choose protection for occupational needs
• Recommend eyewear choices based on OSHA, ANSI and ASTM mandates