SAFE VISION DURING SPORTS SPORTS FRAMES FOR OPTIMUM EYE PROTECTION

Professional dispensing of the best eyewear for sports activities

Active and having fun! Over 1.6 million children in Germany aged between 2 and 15 years require visual correction There are 1.2 million visually impaired students taking part in sporting activity at school Each year 100,000 visually impaired children start school (Source: kindundsehen.de)

Why wear a sports frame instead of a normal frame? What‘s right for the classroom is not always the right choice for sports. NORMAL FRAME SPORTS FRAME UNSUITABLE PERFECT

Clear vision = faster reaction! Arround 95% of our movements are coordinated by vision. Those who can see well while playing sports will be able to react more quickly, move more confidently and as a result, may consequently avoid dangerous accidents.

Eye protection during sporting activities is important! * Source: statistics, German Statutory Accident Insurance ** Source: Kind und Sehen.de 2003 *** Source: Number of students in Germany 2008 School sports accidents in 2008 of these were head injuries of these were eye injuries Avoidable eye injuries ** Increase in eye injuries in school sports (1993–2003) Frequent causes of eye injuries: Miscellaneous Team mates Ball games Projectiles

Interview with sports teachers (Example from a German questionaire) Are there any rules or regulations to wear a sports frame during school sports? If yes will it be pointed out and how? If there are no official regulations who decides upon the eyewear the visually impaired child is allowed to wear? Are the students allowed to wear their normal correction glasses during sports? Do you test the glasses if they are suitable for sports class? What characteristics should a sports frame show/ have in your opinion? Do you point out the risk of injuries caused by normal correction glasses to the visually impaired student or their parents? Who is resonsible in the event of a students injury during sports class? If the visually impaired student is not wearing glasses during the sports class, does it have a negative effect on their performance? If you are dependent on correction glasses during sports, would you wear a sports frame with correction lenses?

School sports only with sports eyewear According to the Association of Doctors 11,000 children get hurt during school sports every year. Most of the eye injuries could have been avoided if the child had been wearing a proper sports frame. With correct eyewear children‘s eyes are protected from trauma caused by balls, racquets, elbows or sports equipment. Source: Ärzte Zeitung,

Who is responsible? Here are some examples from German schools. The school should advise the parent to provide proper sports eyewear to their child It is the teachers decision who takes part in sport activities The Ministry of Culture issue recommendations via newsletters, statements and regulations Statements in Germany

It‘s important to adjust sports eyewear individually for a childs needs. Contact your eyecare professional for an eye examination. Accurate visual correction together with the most suitable sports eyewear will result in improved vision and safer participation. Before you take-off update your prescription!

Everything a protective sports frame needs. HEADBAND with adjustable velcro fastener FRAME No exposed metal parts and sharp edges Wide field of vision Made of extremely tough polycarbonate TEMPLES Anti-slip Flexible, ergonomically formed INTERIOR PADDING for lateral and nose protection LENSES Impact resistant polycarbonate in optical quality Hard coated and UV protection

Greater safety with the correct choice of lenses. Minimise lens breakage improve safety. Certified polycarbonate lenses with a minimum centre thickness of 2mm Special V-shaped bevel* (interior 1.6mm higher) to prevent the lens from becoming dislodged in the event of impact *Special lens cut with NIDEK edging machine LEX 1000

Refund of expenses. Insurance will pay for some or even all of the cost of sports eyewear Here are some examples from Germany. Children and teenagers up to the age of 18 get an insurance subsidy for lenses and spectacles The amount of the subsidy is between 10 and 60 EUR per lens. Normally no subsidy for frames. The health insurer will pay for a sports frame providing the parent can prove that their children need it for sports activities.

Thank you for your attention have fun and be safe in your sports frame.