Eye injuries are a common occurrence in sports, and basketball provides no exceptions.
According to a 2023 study, corneal abrasions are the most frequent basketball-related eye injury. Researchers analyzed U.S. emergency department data from 2012 to 2021 and confirmed that most injuries result from contact with another player, whether an opponent’s finger or elbow strikes the other player’s eye.
Researcher Eric Kim consequently stresses eye protection as a key preventive measure in sports. This is especially true in professional basketball, where the physical intensity of the NBA demands rigorous safety measures. Sports glasses have emerged as a vital tool for safeguarding players’ vision while enhancing their performance.
What are sports glasses, and how do they work?
Sports glasses are specially designed eyewear engineered to protect athletes’ eyes.
These glasses meet stringent standards for impact resistance, with ASTM International defining these requirements under its Standard Specification for Eye Protectors for Selected Sports (F803). This specification ensures that sports glasses can withstand the high-speed impact of balls, elbows, and fingers, making it crucial for players to check for this certification on product packaging or consult manufacturers’ documentation before making any purchase.
Beyond direct protection against impact, sports glasses are another option that also accommodates vision correction needs. A precise fit for sports glasses starts with measuring the pupillary distance of the wearer, which is the distance in millimeters between the centers of a person’s pupils. Proper measurement ensures the lenses align correctly with the wearer’s line of sight, allowing players with poor vision to better see the court and ball while avoiding dangerous contact from other players. This feature is particularly important for prescription sports glasses, as professional athletes often require optimal clarity to perform at their best.
Several NBA players have made sports goggles a notable part of their gear, combining functionality with performance enhancement. Below, we note four players whose adoption of these vision correction tools demonstrates the value of these glasses in preventing injuries and also in supporting vision health on the court.
NBA players who made sports glasses famous
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar isn’t just known for his exceptional game, which often positioned Los Angeles Lakers’ Magic Johnson as a second option — he’s also remembered for his signature goggles.
After being poked in the eye during a game in 1975, Abdul-Jabbar began wearing goggles to protect his vision, a decision that defined his look for the next 14 full NBA seasons. Beyond their practicality, the goggles solidified his image as a dominant center and a trendsetter for protective eyewear in professional basketball.
James Worthy
James Worthy, another NBA great, turned to sports goggles after suffering a scratched cornea during a game in 1985. His choice to wear goggles thereafter highlighted their protective function in preventing further damage.
At the same time, Worthy, who is known for his explosive dunks and versatility, proved that wearing protective eyewear did not hinder his performance but instead allowed him to maintain his peak level of play.
Horace Grant
Unlike the two examples above, Horace Grant’s use of sports goggles stemmed from his struggle with myopia, a vision condition that causes distant objects to appear blurry. Starting in the 1990-91 season, Grant’s goggles featured prescription lenses tailored to his vision needs. Although he later underwent successful LASIK surgery, Grant chose to continue wearing the goggles as a symbol of inspiration for young athletes who wear eyeglasses. His distinctive look would become synonymous with his tenure in the NBA, particularly during his championship-winning years with the Chicago Bulls.
Bobby Portis
Finally, the most recent of this group, Milwaukee Bucks forward/center Bobby Portis turned to sports glasses after being struck in the eye during a playoff game in 2022.
Portis quickly earned the nickname “Bobby Bifocals,” and even had an artist design him a new profile picture for his Twitter account.
https://twitter.com/BPortistime/status/1521231847384137732
Players like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, James Worthy, Horace Grant and Bobby Portis have not only benefited from the practical advantages of sports glasses but have also inspired countless fans and athletes to prioritize eye safety.
As the NBA continues to evolve, sports glasses remain a testament to the league’s commitment to safeguarding its players while pushing the boundaries of athletic excellence.
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