Protective eyewear is key when playing sports. It can help prevent many of the 30,000 eye injuries related to sports that happen each year.

The sports that cause most of these injuries are basketball, baseball, pool sports, and racket sports. But any sport that involves something that is thrown, launched, or fired is a hazard to the eyes, according to the American Optometric Association (AOA).

To help prevent sports eye injuries, children should use protective athletic eyewear. This is important even if they wear eyeglasses or contacts. Contacts alone don't give protection.

Parents can help protect their children's eyes with the right eyewear. They can also model good eye safety by wearing protective eyewear when they play sports. Here are suggestions from the AOA:

• For high-risk sports. These include baseball or softball, tennis, badminton, basketball, or volleyball. Look for one-piece plastic sports frames. Choose prescription or nonprescription polycarbonate lenses. These offer clear vision and protection. Plenty of frames on the market today give protection and look stylish.
• For lower-risk sports. These include things like cycling or in-line skating. Look for strong eyeglass frames with polycarbonate lenses.

There are special features parents and kids might want to consider. Padded or rubber bridges can provide comfort. Deep-grooved eye wires hold lenses in the frame. The wires keep them from falling out if the frame is hit hard. A shape formed like the face can provide a wider field of view. Headband attachments can keep frames on the head.

Kids who swim, water ski, or snorkel should think about using protective goggles. They can hold either prescription or clear lenses.

Street hockey fans and football players need extra protection. They should wear eye-face guards made to wear over other glasses.

If your child does get hit in the eye, take them right away to a hospital emergency room or to an eye doctor. Some kids may see stars or spots, or they may have a change in their vision. But damage from a blow isn't always so obvious, even right after it happens.