Eye Care Services, Uncategorized

No matter what sports you play, the risk of injury is always present. Usually, though, we imagine the worst that could happen is a twisted ankle or a broken arm. But did you know that over 600,000 sports-related eye injuries occur each year? And unfortunately, some of them can have permanent consequences, leaving you blind.

Which Sports Commonly Cause Eye Injuries?

Any sport involving balls, bats, or projectiles can cause serious eye injuries. Still, it might come as a surprise that basketball is the most dangerous sport for your eyes. While the game itself doesn’t encourage poking in the eyes, that happens quite often, making basketball the leading cause of eye injury in the US.

Other contenders for the top spot are baseball, softball, hockey, racquetball, and airsoft rifles. Boxing and martial arts also pose a high risk, but surprisingly, they are lower on the list than sports that involve a ball. Still, no matter which of these sports you play or hope to play, you should always wear proper face protection.

How to Prevent Sports Eye Injuries

Obviously, sports such as fencing, hockey, and men’s lacrosse come with required masks or face shields. Eye injuries are still possible, though far less likely. But what about the sports that don’t require any eye protection yet still pose a high risk? Well, in such cases, you have to think of your safety by yourself.

For instance, you could start wearing protective shatterproof glasses whenever you play basketball, soccer, or racquetball. If you look them up, you’ll probably find dozens of brands, but be sure to choose those that meet ASTM standards.

Unfortunately, if you’re a boxer or a martial artist, protective glasses won’t be of much help. The only thing you can do to protect your eyes is to wear thumbless gloves. That’s not a perfect solution, but it does reduce the number of serious injuries in these sports.

And finally, if you do hurt your eye, don’t waste time. Go see a doctor as soon as possible, even if the injury doesn’t seem bad. You shouldn’t take any risks with your eyes — after all, they are quite sensitive.

Don’t Let Your Guard Down as a Spectator

Even if you’re not actively participating in a sporting event, you could still sustain an eye injury. A ball or a bat could fly into the stands, or a player could lose control and crash into you. As unlikely as you think that may be, it does happen, so be attentive and ready to protect your eyes when you spot any flying objects.

In Conclusion

Eyes are your windows into the world, and any injury they sustain could be devastating. That’s why you need to take good care of them and protect them from the dangers that sports bring. If you do sustain an eye injury, though, or if you just need advice on protective glasses, you should give us a call. We assure you — your eyes will be in safe hands with us!