PROVIDENCE – A research study co-led by doctors at Hasbro Children’s Hospital has determined that mandated protective eyewear has reduced the risk of eye and orbital injuries among high school girls field hockey players by two-thirds, without increasing the risk of concussion.
The study, published in Pediatrics, looked at injuries among players aged 14 to 18. The national mandate to wear protective eyewear was begun during the 2011-12 season.
Dr. Peter Kriz, principal investigator and sports medicine physician at Hasbro Children’s Hospital, said that the use of protective eyewear is a growing and important trend in youth sports.
“Other youth sports such as baseball and softball are gradually adopting use of protective facemasks for batters, pitchers and infielders,” Kriz said. “Just watch how many batters in this summer’s Little League World Series tournament now wear a face protector.”
