Question:
I have a 15-year-old who needs or should wear corrective lens while playing waterpolo. What kind if any eye protection is available for waterpolo and can a corrective lens be added?

Answer:
Swim goggles without prescription lenses that can be used for water sports from snorkeling to water-skiing are available in many sporting goods stores. However, most such goggles do not have lenses that can be replaced by prescription lenses. For prescription swim goggles, it is usually best to contact an optician who works for an Eye M.D. or for an optometrist. Such opticians are used to doing custom work; in all likelihood, the goggles will have to be specially ordered. Since water polo is a vigorous contact sport, a very sturdy goggle with lenses made of polycarbonate is recommended. Polycarbonate lenses are very difficult to break and are available in all glasses prescriptions.  

Answered by:
Lee Duffner, MD

Categories:
Eye Diseases, General Eye Health