September Is Sports Eye Safety Month
A sports injury can occur in the blink of an eye. September is Sports Eye Safety Month, and at Wise Eyes Optical, we are focused on keeping your vision healthy and your eyes protected. We are promoting awareness of sports eye safety and encouraging everyone to take the necessary measures to keep their eyes safe.
With kids returning to school and team sports becoming part of our routines, September also marks the beginning of college and NFL football seasons. At Wise Eyes Optical, we believe all athletes should protect their eyes on and off the field. Sports are the leading cause of eye injuries in children under 16, and many people are unaware of how serious sports injuries can be and that they could lead to irreversible eye damage. It’s estimated that over 40,000 eye injuries occur every year due to sports, but 90% of these injuries are preventable with proper safety eyewear. This is why we emphasize the importance of eye health and vision care, especially when engaging in sports and recreational activities, and urge everyone participating in sports, both children and adults, to remember to protect their eyes.
What Kind of Injuries Can Occur Due to Sports?
Sports can lead to various eye injuries, especially in children aged 14 and younger. Most of these injuries can be prevented with proper eye protection. Common sports-related eye injuries include fractured eye sockets, scratched corneas, swollen retinas, and even cataracts caused by eye trauma. Here are some specific injuries that can occur due to sports:
• Corneal Abrasion: This is a common sports injury, which is a scratch on the surface of the eye. In most cases, a corneal abrasion will heal within 2-3 days, but it’s important to see an eye doctor to prevent infection and check for other injuries.
• Traumatic Iritis: This refers to inflammation of the iris, which can cause eye pain, blurred vision, and sensitivity to bright lights.
• Hyphema: Another common injury is hyphema, which is bleeding inside the front part of the eye. The bleeding usually resolves within 1-2 weeks, but it can lead to other severe eye problems, such as glaucoma, so it’s important to seek medical attention and follow instructions carefully.
• Angle Recession: This refers to damage to the fluid drainage system of the eye, putting you at risk for glaucoma long-term if there is significant angle recession.
• Retinal Tear or Detachment: This type of injury is rare but requires attention for up to one year after any injury. Watch for new flashing lights, floaters, black spots in vision, or a curtain coming over your vision and seek medical help promptly if any of these occur.
• It’s crucial to get your eyes examined if you experience any eye trauma or injury to check for the listed problems, as well as many other potential issues that can be diagnosed and treated by an eye physician before they cause permanent damage to your vision and overall well-being. Prevention is always the best solution!
Eye Injury Risks
Certain sports and recreational activities carry a higher risk of athletes sustaining eye injuries. According to data from Prevent Blindness, more eye injuries occur from water and pool activities than any other sport. Basketball is the second most common cause of sports-related eye injuries, followed by the use of guns (air, gas, spring, and BB), darts, arrows, slingshots, and baseball/softball.
• High-Risk Sports:
Sports such as paintball, basketball, and racquetball have a higher chance of causing eye injuries due to the high speed of the balls and close proximity of the players. Players are typically required to wear protective sports safety eyewear.
Other sports such as football, field hockey, and lacrosse also have a high risk of eye injury due to close contact and fast-moving balls or equipment. Players in these sports are required to wear helmets and eyewear for overall safety.
Extreme sports and activities like mountain biking, motorcycling, skiing or snowboarding also pose a high risk of eye injuries from dirt, debris, and snow or ice. It is recommended for enthusiasts of these activities to wear fully sealed safety eyewear, especially if they require prescription lenses.
• Moderate-Risk Sports:
Moderate-risk sports like soccer, golf, and tennis, are fast-paced but allow players more space to avoid direct contact. While eye injuries are less common in these sports, there is still a risk of facial injuries from ball impacts or player contact.
• Low-Risk Sports:
In low-risk sports like swimming and cycling, where there are no balls, projectiles, or aggressive play, athletes still wear protective eyewear for better vision underwater or in challenging weather conditions. However, they face minimal risk of eye injuries from flying debris like dust, rocks, or branches.
• Safe Sports:
Sports with the lowest risk of eye injuries, including gymnastics and track and field, have minimal chances of eye-related accidents.
How To Safeguard Your Eyes
The most effective way to protect your eyes during sports is to invest in protective eyewear designed for specific activities.
• A proper fit is crucial for sports eyewear to ensure comfort and meet safety standards.
• Avoid wearing glass eyewear during sports to prevent severe eye injuries in case of shattering.
• Consider protective eyewear with shatterproof polycarbonate lenses and lens coatings like anti-reflective or polarized options to reduce glare.
• Shield your eyes from sun damage by wearing shatterproof sunglasses that block UVA and UVB rays, reducing the risk of cataracts and ocular surface cancer.
• Regular glasses should not be worn during sports, as they may break upon impact. Players needing corrective eyewear should use prescription sports eyewear recommended by an eye care professional.
• Sports eyewear should have padding along the brow and nose bridge to prevent skin cuts. Athletes with vision impairment in one eye should wear sports eye protectors as advised by a professional.
• Prioritize your child’s eye health and safety by ensuring they wear durable, lightweight, and comfortable protective eyewear during sports to prevent eye injuries and maintain long-term eye health.
• The professional team at Wise Eyes Optical can recommend sports-specific eyewear that meets safety standards and offers maximum eye protection for various sports activities.
During September’s Sports Eye Safety Awareness month, consider these guidelines for parents, teachers, school nurses, coaches, and others:
• Recognize that most sports-related eye injuries can be prevented. Regardless of the sport or the child’s age, appropriate protective eyewear provides the best defense against eye injuries.
• Educate yourself about the risks of eye injuries in sports before allowing children to participate.
• Parents should seek advice from an eye doctor regarding the need for protective eyewear before enrolling their child in any sports program.
• Enroll children in organized sports through school districts, community centers, park districts, recreation centers, or licensed facilities where adult supervision is present for all sports activities. It is recommended to have an adult trained in preventing, recognizing, and providing immediate care for eye injuries at all times.
• Parents should discuss with a child’s coach or athletic trainer to ensure proper procedures are in place to address any potential eye injuries.
• Parents, teachers, school nurses, and coaches should be familiar with the symptoms of an eye injury and understand when to seek medical attention.
• When you need durable sport and safety glasses, Wise Eyes Optical has you covered with eyewear that provides top-notch protection and comfort.
Prioritizing Eye Health During Sports Eye Safety Month
Sports Eye Safety Month emphasizes the significance of safeguarding our eyes during sports and leisure activities. By giving importance to eye health and vision care, athletes can lower the chances of sports-related eye injuries and maintain healthy vision throughout their lives. Remember to schedule regular comprehensive eye exams, wear protective eyewear during sports activities, and encourage children to do the same. With proactive steps and professional guidance from the experts at Wise Eyes Optical, we can work together to find the ideal solution for you and ensure the safety of your eyes! Explore our wide range of prescription and non-prescription safety glasses available in our optical showroom. At Wise Eyes Optical, we are here not only to help you see clearly, but also to find the eyewear that matches your needs and sense of style. Our professional team is ready to help you if you need assistance or feel free to browse on your own.
Contact Wise Eyes Optical
Your Hometown Vision Center Serving Central Pennsylvania
Your local Wise Eyes Optical hometown vision center is here to help you achieve the best possible vision for life. We offer expert eye and vision care including eye-related medical care, custom fitting of eyeglasses and contacts, eyeglass repair, and much more. If you have questions or would like to learn more, reach out to your nearest Central Pennsylvania Wise Eyes Optical office. For assistance, call (717) 242-1915.
