Children's prescription glasses for playing Rugby? Help!

[FamilyGuy]

My youngest son wants to go to tag rugby shortly. If he is anything like my eldest son then he'll throw himself into it - literally. He's 4, wears glasses with a reasonably high prescription - I think +4 and +4.5.

Face-planting the pitch and running face-first into training equipment (admittedly, they learn to use their shoulder, not their face, quite rapidly) is common and obviously I want my lad to have the same opportunities as any other child. I thought soft contact lenses, as is reccommended for squash, but apparently not until age 10. I have heard of latex goggle things that have plastic lenses but our opticians say they know nothing of them. The problem we find with his current glasses is that any impact rams his metal frames into his face (trip to A&E for supergluing the gaping split last time)

So any advice about what/where for stuff would be very much appreciated.

[Odie]

that bendy frame stuff might be the answer. Have a look online Ive had a quick google but could find anything sports specific for that age.

[davepoth]

http://www.rfu.com/TakingPart/PlayerHealth/FAQs.as...

They're a bit strict on it, you'll need a letter from the optician saying they're OK.

I would have thought he would be able to play without at +4 (longsighted) if he doesn't have a strong astigmatism as well - I have a similar prescription, with a strong astigmatism, and a squint, and I could still see the ball.

[FamilyGuy]

Thanks for the info guys. He manages to get around the house without the glasses, but does look like he's working hard to focus. If that doesn't work then maybe bendy frames that won't embed themselves in his head, are the way to go.

[davepoth]

FamilyGuy said:

Thanks for the info guys. He manages to get around the house without the glasses, but does look like he's working hard to focus. If that doesn't work then maybe bendy frames that won't embed themselves in his head, are the way to go.

Looking at that RFU website I don't think bendy frames will be enough, it'll have to be goggles.

[FamilyGuy]

Hmm. Just re-read the regs and I see what you mean.

[Munter]

davepoth said:

Looking at that RFU website I don't think bendy frames will be enough, it'll have to be goggles.

Something like these?

http://www.sportsgoggles.co.uk/shopdisplayproducts...

No experience. Just curious and googleing.

[DKL]

FG,
If he is only 4 then he will manage just fine without anything for the short duration of a touch rugby match.
As he gets older if he still wants to play then yes a prescription will be useful and daily disposable lenses are his best option - young children get on surprisingly well if they want to.
For now I really wouldn't worry about it.

[Engineer1]

I read Prescription Glasses and Rugby and the first thought was that can't end well, even with Tag Rugby it only takes one over enthusiastic kid and the glasses are pushed into the face/ eyes.

[Happy82]

I remember on a tour of Ireland that one of the opposition (in a very poor area, hence his solution) was wearing rubber safety goggles over his normal glasses, is that a possibility?

[davepoth]

Happy82 said:

I remember on a tour of Ireland that one of the opposition (in a very poor area, hence his solution) was wearing rubber safety goggles over his normal glasses, is that a possibility?

http://www.rfu.com/TakingPart/PlayerHealth/FAQs.as...

Not in England at least. It needs to be proper sports goggles and the optician needs to certify them.

[FamilyGuy]

Munter said:

Something like these?

http://www.sportsgoggles.co.uk/shopdisplayproducts...

No experience. Just curious and googleing.

That's what I was looking for! Thank you (and I must learn to Google better!) As mentioned above I think I'll try him with no glasses first and ask the instructors to monitor him. Then get the goggles if he's struggling.

Thanks for all the help.

ETA: According to the hospital, at his age he is largely able to adjust himself, unlike old farts with hardened eyeballs like me So I'm not sending him to the slaughter.

Edited by FamilyGuy on Sunday 18th September 12:28

[spikeyhead]

davepoth said:

I would have thought he would be able to play without at +4 (longsighted) if he doesn't have a strong astigmatism as well - I have a similar prescription, with a strong astigmatism, and a squint, and I could still see the ball.

It's a similar prescription to mine and I managed to play in goal to a decent standard without glasses. You just get used to it.

[Simon Brooks]

I am actively involved in youth rugby and seem to recall seeing a couple of lads wearing a swimming goggle type specs, sorry can't be of an more help Your local optician should be able to point you in the right direction

[Simon Brooks]

Didn't Edger Davids the Dutch footballer used to wear goggles to play in ???

[DKL]

That Dutch chap had some form of glaucoma IIRC and had special dispensation from the FIA to wear them. They don't usually allow it.
He wore Oakley Waterjackets.

Realistically at 4 years old his accommodation (focusing ability) is around 15 Dioptres. Using a quarter of that to overcome is +4 prescription for 2 15 min halves (if that maybe) will be easy for him. I have patients significantly older (early teens - your accommodation drops off as you get older) who can manage good vision without their glasses but obviously struggle for all day.

It is possible he has an accommodative squint with that prescription. His glasses will help him overcome this and therefore help maintain his 3d vision which obviously will help with hand to eye coordination. But again at 4 this may not be great anyway and it would be very difficult to show how much if any issues were down to his vision.

Personally I'd say that the typre of goggle he will need to use would be as much of a hindrance and hazard than his relative loss of visual function without them.

[FamilyGuy]

Update. After school this evening we took his glasses off and left him to acclimatise for 15 minutes. He then really enjoyed a game of throw and catch with no sign of being any less co-ordinated than any other child of that age.

Thank you for the heads-up gentlemen (or ladies)

Edited by FamilyGuy on Tuesday 20th September 08:34

[FamilyGuy]

Final result: Tag rugby this morning and as we set off from home, glasses removed, whilst explaining he wouldn't need them for rugby but could have them back afterwards. He seemed fine with this. He played as well, if not better, than the others and enjoyed himself enormously. Thanks for the assistance guys - without it I would have lumbered him with something expensive that made him look wierd

[davepoth]

FamilyGuy said:

Final result: Tag rugby this morning and as we set off from home, glasses removed, whilst explaining he wouldn't need them for rugby but could have them back afterwards. He seemed fine with this. He played as well, if not better, than the others and enjoyed himself enormously. Thanks for the assistance guys - without it I would have lumbered him with something expensive that made him look wierd

Glad that turned out good for him.

[DKL]

Good stuff. As long as he enjoyed it that's all that matters.