Sports Protection Eyewear for Children

September 5, 2023

Patient X came in as their 14 year old child has started to play contact rugby. They have a prescription of RE +5.25Ds LE +5.00Ds. So needs them to be able to see clearly. They do not want to wear their glasses with a strap as they are fearful of breakages. They do not like the idea of wearing contact lenses.

Patient X’s child booked in for an appointment with a Qualified Dispensing Optician who told them, the wearing of spectacles is prohibited for any type of contact rugby activity. However, both prescription glasses and sunglasses are permitted for under 8s or non-contact activities such as touch rugby. As Patient X’s child was 14 they would need to wear a protective sport goggle.

The RFU Regulations state that Subject to the extra conditions specified for Age Grade players by RFU Regulation 15.10, players are permitted to wear specifically designed sports goggles in all forms of contact rugby where the following conditions are satisfied:

  • The sports goggles must be dispensed by a General Optical Council (“GOC”) registered dispensing optician or an optometrist registered with the GOC;
  • The player must have written confirmation from the registered dispensing optician or optometrist that:
    • The goggles are required to correct the vision of the player or are required to protect the player’s eyes due to a medical or optical condition, to enable the playing of rugby union.
    • The goggles do not substantially restrict any normal field of vision and are suitable for use in evasion contact sports.
    • The goggles do not constitute a physical danger to the player or other players.
    • The player is not capable of wearing contact lenses and why this is the case.

The Dispensing Optician showed the patient the Pro-gear Tackle frame. They measured the centration distance to make sure the centre of the lens would line up with the centre of the patients eye. The patient was impressed by the attention to detail that comes with the ordering process.

A week later the frames arrived and the prescription was double checked before the patient was contacted. Patient X was very happy with the level of protection and with the padding on the side.

Their child was over the moon that they could start playing Rugby without the worry of breaking their glasses.

 

Orriss and Low are proud to sponsor Winscombe Junior’s Rugby team. Look our for our name on their shirts.