Superspecs Campaign Aims to Enhance Children's Eye Safety in Ohio's Sports Events

In Ohio, a groundbreaking initiative is ensuring that young athletes can compete safely thanks to Superspecs, the only state-wide program of its kind that provides free protective eyewear to children aged 18 and under. As we gear up for Sports Eye Safety Month, this initiative is especially crucial given that sports-related eye injuries account for a significant number of blindness cases among the youth in the state.

According to the Ohio Ophthalmological Society, eye injuries are the leading cause of blindness in children. Each year, approximately 45,000 eye injuries occur during sports and recreational activities, with more than half of these incidents affecting children. The statistics underscore the vital role programs like Superspecs play in safeguarding the vision of Ohio's youth.

Laura Rosenberg, the Program Director for Superspecs, emphasizes the program's mission: "All student-athletes should be able to love the game they play and not be worried about access to the equipment that keeps them safe and focused, especially now as spring sports ramp up. Superspecs is here to make sure accessibility is not an issue and to stress the importance of eye safety."

The Superspecs initiative focuses on three primary areas:
1. Youth Sports: The program offers protective eyewear like goggles and sports goggles to athletes in soccer, baseball, softball, and basketball. With this equipment, young players can engage in their sports with greater confidence, unburdened by concerns about safety.
2. Vocational Safety Gear: Beyond athletics, Superspecs extends its offerings to students enrolled in career and technical programs. This includes free eye safety gear for fields such as dental hygiene, heating and air technology, engineering, architectural design, welding, auto body collision, and auto services, ensuring young adults can focus on skills without compromising their eye safety.
3. Prescription Sports Goggles: For children who wear glasses, Superspecs provides free prescription sports goggles to ensure that vision correction accompanies sports safety.

In 2024 alone, Superspecs allocated nearly $200,000 to distribute a staggering 38,000 pieces of sports equipment across all 88 counties in Ohio, directly benefiting over 80,000 children. This impressive outreach underscores the organization's commitment to promoting eye safety among the youth.

Those interested in participating in the Superspecs program, including league administrators, parents, and teachers, are encouraged to apply online. The process has been streamlined, allowing multiple requests from teams and classrooms with a single application. For those needing prescription goggles, approved applicants can visit local participating providers to finalize their orders.

Founded in 1999 by the Ohio Ophthalmological Society, Superspecs (formerly known as Play Hard Don't Blink) has made a remarkable impact, outfitting over two million children with protective eyewear. Supported by the Ohio Department of Health's Save Our Sight program, it remains a unique initiative, the only one of its kind in the United States. Schools, teams, and individual families interested in receiving free protective eyewear can learn more at superspecs.org.

As Sports Eye Safety Month approaches, the Superspecs campaign not only elevates awareness around eye safety but also exemplifies the importance of community efforts in protecting the health and well-being of young athletes. Through programs like these, Ohio is taking a significant step forward in ensuring that future generations can participate in sports safely and with peace of mind.