I’m Nandita Chowdhury, Principal Optometrist at Picton Eyecare, and trust me—I’ve seen it all. Soccer stars. Junior cricket. Cyclists. Racket-wielding warriors. They come in after the match, not with trophies, but with scratched corneas, black eyes, and one recurring question: “Could this have been avoided?”
Short answer? Yes.
A rogue elbow, a surprise rebound, or even overexposure to UV rays can mess with your vision if you’re not protected.
Why Eye Protection Matters in Sports
When gearing up for a game, most of us focus on uniforms, gear, and game plans—rarely on protecting our eyes. Yet every year, thousands of Australians suffer preventable sports-related eye injuries. In fact, up to 90% of these injuries could be avoided with proper eyewear.
Just last month, a 10-year-old boy came into Picton Eyecare after a weekend soccer match. He’d been wearing regular glasses on the field when a stray elbow hit him in the face. The impact shattered his frames and left him with a painful corneal abrasion.
We treated the injury with a bandage contact lens and prescribed antibiotics to prevent infection. Thankfully, he recovered well—but the experience was a tough lesson for both him and his parents.
At Picton Eyecare, we’ve seen firsthand how something as simple as sports goggles can prevent serious damage like corneal scratches, fractures, or even permanent vision loss. Not to mention expensive damage to regular eyewear.
Best Eye Protection for Your Sport
Modern sports eyewear is designed to protect without compromising performance or style:
- Polycarbonate sports goggles: Lightweight and impact-resistant. Great for ball sports like basketball, soccer, and squash.
- Combat sport eyewear: Specially designed for boxing or martial arts with a secure fit.
- Wraparound sunglasses: Ideal for cyclists and runners. They block wind, UV rays, and dust.
- Prescription swim goggles: Keep vision clear and protect against infections in the pool.
- Helmet visors & face shields: Essential in cricket, baseball, and hockey to shield eyes from impact.
- Trivex lenses: Lightweight and impact-resistant—ideal for sports frames needing clarity and safety.
If you wear prescription glasses, we can custom-fit your lenses into sport-specific frames that keep up with your performance.
Contact Lenses Aren’t Just For Adults
As soon as kids are old enough to responsibly care for contact lenses, you should also consider them as a valid eyewear option. Soft, daily disposable lenses are comfortable to wear, easy to insert/remove and they don’t limit the field of vision like glasses and some safety goggles. This makes them a great alternative if you are struggling with prescription eyewear.
But remember that soft contacts don’t provide any protection from blunt force trauma that happens when an unexpected elbow, racket or fast moving ball makes contact with your child’s eye. Impact resistant eyewear still has a role in complete eye safety. Contact lenses also don’t offer much in the way of UV protection, which you shouldn’t ignore.
Kids and Eye Safety
Children are especially vulnerable to eye injuries, with up to 1 in 10 paediatric injuries in Australia being sports-related. Protective eyewear should be part of their gear from an early age to build good habits and prevent long-term issues.
Don’t Leave Your Eyes Off the Field
Your eyes are just as important as helmets, guards, or pads. Prioritise them—whether you’re on the field, in the pool, or on the slopes.
Need Help Choosing the Right Sports Eyewear?
Visit Picton Eyecare. We’ll guide you through options tailored to your sport, prescription, and budget. Private health insurance may also cover part of your purchase.
Get In Touch
Book your appointment online or call us on (02) 4603 2309. We’re located in the heart of Picton with convenient parking available.
B.Optom (UoA), PGOT (UNSW)
Nandita is the principal optometrist of Picton Eyecare. She has over 15 years of extensive experience working in corporate and independent optometry practice. Opening Picton Eyecare in 2022 has fulfilled Nandita’s dream of an independent optometry practice, committed in serving the local community of Wollondilly and surrounding areas.
Nandita is caring and passionate about providing professional, personal and customised solution for every patient. She takes interest in all her patients and employs her skills and expertise to achieve the best possible outcome for the patient. She maintains great relationships with other medical professionals in the area.
Nandita is a local resident and has been working in the Southern Highlands for many years. She has a loyal following of patients who value her clinical and interpersonal relationships.
When not at work Nandita loves spending time with her family.