It's often caused by baseball injuries, because the baseball is small enough to hit the eye, even if it strikes the side of the eye socket. Children might use mouth guards to protect their teeth, but often don't think of goggles to protect their eyes. I find that most do it for comfort and to see better underwater. Like sports goggles, clear swim goggles can be made to a child's prescription, too. Many swimmers wear goggles to reduce irritation from the chlorine and other additives in treated pool water.
Some swimmers also use eye drops to reduce the redness from chemicals.
The eyes can get used to the medicine and become red when the drops are discontinued. I wouldn't recommend medicated eye drops for swimmers unless parents discuss it first with their doctor. Comprehensive care Practical eye protection is a part of complete pediatric care. The family practitioner or pediatrician should screen the baby's eyes at birth and the vision at 6 months, a year, and again between 3 and 5 years.