Every year, it’s estimated that nearly 50,000 Americans suffer eye injuries while participating in sports and recreational activities. While many of these eye injuries have the potential to cause temporary or permanent vision loss, 90% of them are preventable by using the appropriate protective eyewear, according to The Coalition To Prevent Sports Eye Injuries.
Blunt trauma, corneal abrasions and penetrating injuries are the most common sports related eye injuries. Contact sports and sports involving balls, sticks or racquets have the highest risk of eye injuries. Sports-related eye injuries occur most frequently in the following activities:
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Racquet sports
- Hockey
- Football
- Lacrosse
- Fishing
Most sports related eye injuries occur in people under the age of thirty, and are a leading cause of sports related accidents in kids ages 5 to 14. Symptoms of an eye injury include:
1. Eye pain or trouble seeing
2. A cut or torn eyelid
3. Bruising around the eye
4. One eye that is not moving as well as the other eye
5. One eye sticks out compared to the other eye
6. The pupil is misshaped or is unusually large or small
7. Bleeding on the surface or inside the eye (hyphema)
8. A foreign object is in the eye or under the eyelid that can’t be easily removed
Treating an eye injury as soon as possible can greatly improve the chances of preserving vision. Depending upon the severity of the injury, treatment can involve placing a protective cover over the eye, or surgery to repair a tear.
How to protect your eyes while playing sports
Wearing protective, properly fitting eyewear made with polycarbonate lenses can prevent the majority of sports related eye injuries. The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends wearing protective eyewear for all participants in sports and recreational activities where there is a risk of eye injury, including any chance of getting hit in the eye by a fast moving object. Protective eyewear is available with and without a prescription and with UV and antiglare treatments designed for specific athletic needs. Protective eyewear should fit snugly and provide clear vision with comfortable, durable straps.
Protective sports eyewear can include:
- Sports goggles
- Wraparound style sunglasses
- Eye and face guards that can be worn over glasses
- Goggles and masks for element sports like snowboarding, skydiving or scuba diving
Protect your eyes while playing sports. If an eye injury occurs, seek medical care as soon as possible, even if the eye injury appears to be minor. Delaying medical attention can result in partial loss of vision or permanent blindness. To find a doctor or medical facility wherever you are, download the free iTriage healthcare smartphone app, or visit www.iTriageHealth.com.