August 21, 2008 08:42 AM Eastern Time 

Sziols America Challenges Parents and Coaches to Cut Sports Eye Injuries by 30%

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sziols America, maker of high performance sports glasses, has issued a challenge to parents and coaches of children playing sports. Their goal is to reduce eye injuries by 30% in the next year by increasing awareness of how prevalent these injuries are becoming.

According to the “2000 Sports and Recreational Eye Injuries” report by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 30,000 sports and recreation-related eye injuries occurred in individuals younger than 25 years. A 2008 report by the University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center reported more than 100,000 eye injuries in this same age group.

“We simply cannot stand by and let these numbers continue to grow at this alarming pace. We need to raise awareness of the problem so we can turn the trend around. That is why we are issuing this challenge, and doing so to coincide with Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month, as proclaimed by the Prevent Blindness organization,” said Susie Sandstrom, CEO of Sziols America (http://www.sziolsamerica.com).

In a joint policy statement of the American Academy of Pediatrics and American Academy of Ophthalmology, it is highlighted that appropriate eye protectors can reduce the risk of significant eye injury by at least 90% when properly fitted. So why do we have so many tragic injuries when the solution is so easy?

According Troy Bedinghaus, O.D., there are several reasons. First, there are many people who think that wearing regular eyeglasses during sports protect the eyes. But the opposite is true as regular eyeglass lenses can shatter upon impact. Polycarbonate lenses are stronger and provide protection. A second problem is that teams and coaches don’t require eye protection, so it is up to the parents to insist and set a good example by wearing eye protection themselves.

Sandstrom, a mother herself, knows another reason. In the past, safety glasses weren’t cool. But that has changed. Manufacturers, like Sziols, have stepped up to offer children’s sports glasses that are fashionable, comfortable and provide the protection younger athletes need.

“I wish Sziols had existed when my sons were younger. It would have made things so much easier. That is why we are doing what we can to educate parents and coaches that there is a problem and now a solution to the increase in children’s eye injuries,” said Sandstrom.

The Sziols collection of youth eyewear can be seen at: http://www.sziolsamerica.com/sziolskids.html.

About Sziols: Sziols sports frames for kids, take into account the very different anatomy of children versus adults. The glasses are not just smaller versions. Instead, they take into account the flatter “nose” and softer bone construction. And, even the clear lens provides 100% UVA and UVB sun protection.