Sports Eye Safety Month
Thousands of sports-related eye injuries occur each year in the US, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Sports Eye Safety Month is observed in April and athletes are asked to keep their eyes safe as many injuries that occur each year are preventable.
Common Sports Eye Injuries
Sports that involve projectiles have the highest risk of injury, but almost every sport carries some risk. Most eye injuries occur in basketball, baseball, and racquet sports, but full contact sports also pose risks. Boxing and martial arts can lead to serious, blinding accidents. Even fishing can lead to an eye injury.
Corneal abrasions and lacerations around the eye are common sports-related injuries. Blunt trauma and fractures to the eye socket can occur in contact sports as well.
Eye Injuries and Prevention: What to Do
Prevention and quick action are key to protecting your eyes and it all starts with a pre-activity eye exam. Ensuring proper vision for the activity is important, so that if an eye injury occur the pre-activity eye exam can be used as a baseline comparison.
It’s also important that have the proper eye protection for your sport. Swimmers need goggles, while football players need a proper helmet with guarding. Ask a coach or other team official if any eye protection is required or recommended for your specific sport. Prevent Blindness America recommends sports eye guards for baseball, basketball, soccer, football, and hockey.
If you think you’ve injured your eye or your child complains of eye pain during or after a game, seek immediate care from an ophthalmologist or primary care physician. Early intervention of any eye injury is important to prevent further damage.
Always consider the risks before participating in potentially harmful activities and learn about proper precautions ahead of time. If you want to check your sight before playing ball, request an appointment at DMEI today!
