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 of Governors voted to mandate protective eyewear that meets ASTM standards for lacrosse as of Jan. 1, 2005. The Board also voted to highly recommend that all players wear protective eyewear that meets ASTM standards for lacrosse for the 2004 season.

The following products meet current ASTM standard. Youth standard is for youth programs, adult standard is for high school and older age groups. Products that meet the adult standard also meet the youth standard.

Cascade
IRIS (wire) - adult standard

Halo/Bangerz
HS-3000 (polycarbonate) - youth standard, in testing for adult
HS-5500 (polycarbonate) - adult standard
HS-OTG (polycarbonate) - youth standard, in testing for adult

Leader Sport USA
Field Sport (Rx, polycarbonate) - adult standard
Lax Vision (polycarbonate) - adult standard

Liberty Optical/RecSpecs USA
MX10 (Rx, polycarbonate) - youth standard, will test for adult standard

Shamrock Lacrosse
Optic Pro (polycarbonate) - adult standard
Over The Glasses (polycarbonate) - adult standard

US Lacrosse, a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization, is the national governing body of men's and women's lacrosse.