Protective Eyewear Mandated for Women’s Lacrosse in 2005

BALTIMORE - The US Lacrosse Women's Division Board of Governors has voted to amend the rules of women's lacrosse to highly recommend the use of protective eyewear meeting current ASTM lacrosse standards for 2004 and to mandate its use beginning in 2005.

The purpose of this rule is to acknowledge that while women's lacrosse is a comparatively safe sport, the use of protective eyewear will prevent the rare but catastrophic eye injury. After exhaustive discussion and information-gathering, as well as comprehensive review of the available medical literature and a recommendation by the US Lacrosse Sports Science and Safety Committee, the Board has decided that the use of protective eyewear will minimize the risk of catastrophic eye injury at all levels.

Because of concerns about product availability and other timing issues, the Board highly recommends that all players wear ASTM-approved protective eyewear for 2004 but will not mandate its use until Jan. 1, 2005.

The following products have been tested and meet current ASTM eyewear standards (able to withstand an impact of 60 miles per hour for adult play (high school and older) and 45 miles per hour for youth play) for lacrosse:

• Cascade
  IRIS (wire)
• Halo/Bangerz
  HS-3000 (polycarbonate)
  HS-5500 (polycarbonate)
  HS-OTG (polycarbonate)
• Leader Sport USA
  Field Sport (Rx, polycarbonate)
  Lax Vision (polycarbonate)
• Liberty Optical/RecSpecs USA
  MX10 (Rx, polycarbonate)
• Shamrock Lacrosse
  Optic Pro (polycarbonate)
  Over The Glasses (polycarbonate)

Go to www.laxpower.com for more information about women's lacrosse.