Sports Eye Safety: Protecting Your Vision While You Play

One of the most important aspects of eye care is ensuring that your vision is protected, especially during activities that pose risks to your eyes. Sports, both recreational and competitive, can be a major contributor to eye injuries. Eye injuries are often preventable with the proper precautions. In this blog, we’ll highlight the importance of sports eye safety and provide tips on how you can safeguard your vision while enjoying the game.
 

The Importance of Sports Eye Protection

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, more than 40,000 eye injuries occur annually in the United States due to sports-related activities. While some of these injuries can be minor, others can lead to permanent vision loss. Since eye injuries can happen in a wide range of sports, wearing the proper eye protection can drastically reduce the risk of injury.
 

Common Sports Eye Injuries

Some of the most common types of eye injuries sustained during sports include:

• Corneal Abrasions: Scrapes or cuts to the front surface of the eye from foreign objects like debris, fingers or equipment.

• Traumatic Iritis: Inflammation of the colored part of the eye from a hit.

• Retinal Injuries: A hard impact damages the light-sensitive layer of tissue at the back of the eye and can lead to blurred vision or even blindness.

• Globe Rupture: A severe injury that punctures or ruptures the eyeball, usually from a hard hit.

• Fractured Bones Around the Eye: Fractures to the orbital bones can occur especially in contact sports.

Which Sports Pose the Most Risk?

Certain sports carry a higher risk of eye injury than others. These include, but are not limited to:

• Basketball

• Baseball/Softball

• Racquet Sports (Tennis, Pickleball)

• Football

• Hockey

• Soccer

Eye Protection for Sports

The best way to avoid eye injuries while playing sports is to wear appropriate eye protection. Here’s what you should consider:

• Sports Goggles or Sports Glasses: Made from flexible, durable materials, sports goggles and sports glasses protect the eyes against impact from objects, provide a clear field of vision and stay in place during intense physical activity. These are vital for sports like basketball, baseball/softball, soccer and racquet sports.

• Face Shields and Visors: These are commonly worn in contact sports such as football and hockey. Face shields protect not only the eyes but also the face and forehead from impact injuries. Visors are often attached to helmets for an added layer of protection.

Preventing Eye Injuries at Any Age

While it’s essential for athletes of all ages to wear proper eye protection, it’s especially important for children and teenagers. Young athletes are still developing their coordination and accidents are more likely to occur. To reduce sports-related eye injuries, make sure that young athletes are always wearing the appropriate eye protection for the sport they are participating in.
 

Conclusion

Sports eye safety is an often-overlooked aspect of overall athletic performance and health. By wearing the correct eyewear for your sport, you can protect your vision and ensure that you can continue to enjoy the game by easily preventing eye injuries. If you’re an athlete or a parent of one, please take the time to discuss sports eye safety with your optometrist and explore the options available for protecting those precious eyes!

If you’ve sustained an eye injury or have questions about the best eye protection for your sport, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with us. Your vision is essential and we’re here to help keep it safe while you enjoy your favorite sports!