How to Choose the Right Soccer Goggles For Your Child
If your child soccer star needs glasses off the pitch, they need them on the pitch too. Many children and teens struggle with contact lenses, so prescription soccer glasses (also known as soccer goggles) are the next best thing. Glasses will improve their vision while playing, allowing them to improve their reaction times and their performance significantly. Soccer goggles also protect kids from sports eye injuries -- the most common type of eye injury among children aged 11 to 14. If you want to keep your little athlete safe from vision loss and help them get to the top of their game, here's how to choose their soccer goggles.
The Right Lenses
When you choose your child's soccer glasses, make sure that you opt for a pair with durable lenses. Since one of the main functions of sports goggles is to protect the eyes from rogue balls flying around, you'll want to make sure the lenses are as impact-resistant as possible. Polycarbonate lenses are usually the best choice; made from the same material as bulletproof glass, polycarbonate lenses are extremely unlikely to break. Polycarbonate is also naturally UV-resistant so you won't need to pay for a sun protection coating on the lenses. You should, however, opt for a fog-resistant coating. This coating will prevent the buildup of moisture when your child sweats during vigorous gameplay.
Another thing you need to consider is the colour of the lenses. Clear lenses are a great all-round choice, but dark-coloured lenses can be a good choice if your child tends to play in high sunlight. It's a good idea to have two pairs of goggles to switch between, or one pair with photochromic (also known as transitions) lenses that change between light and dark automatically. Coloured tints are also an option. Amber and brown tints, in particular, can help increase the visual contrast between the ball and the field. This aids depth perception and could give your child the edge while playing.
The Right Frame
Lenses are just half the battle. You also need to make sure you choose the right frame for your child's soccer goggles.
As well as impact-resistant lenses, you'll want impact resistant frames too. The lenses are useless, after all, without a frame to hold them in place. Once again, polycarbonate is one of the most durable choices available, though nylon is also a great option for tough frames.
Finally, you need the right fit. Opt for a close fit to the nose, preferably with nose pads to keep the glasses in place through vigorous movement and sweating. Temple padding is also a good idea; it makes the glasses fit more snugly and helps to absorb impact. Low profile, wraparound frames are often the best option for the least visual interference while playing. Finally, make sure you opt for a frame with an adjustable band built in to keep the glasses on your child's head at all times.
To ensure your child's is getting the maximum functionality out of their soccer goggles, make sure you take them to an optometrist for regular eye tests to get the right prescription for them.