Sports Eye Safety Awareness

The American Academy of Ophthalmology has designated April as Sports Eye Safety Month. Thousands of sports and recreation-related eye injuries occur every year. But, many of these are preventable through appropriate protective eyewear.

Types of Eye Injuries

• Corneal injuries (lacerations or scratches on the eye’s outer surface) occur from debris or particles flying into the eye.
• Orbital fractures occur with impact from an object, causing broken bones surrounding the eye.
• Jarring motions can lead to a torn or detached retina. This type of injury occurs when the back part of the eye, sensitive to light, gets pulled out of place.
• Chemical burns
• Hyphema refers to blood in the anterior part of the eye

How to Protect Your Eyes While Playing Sports

• Have your eyes checked before participating in a sport. If you cannot see, you cannot dodge the ball.
• Pick the correct eye guards. Each sport has its own kind, but most important is that the eye guards fit you appropriately.
• Buy prescription glasses made of polycarbonate plastic which can withstand a projectile traveling at 90 mph.
• Choose eye guards or glasses with padding at the nose and brow for contact sports.
• Choose glasses with strong frames and secure them with a strap.

Sports protection

Here are protection devices recommended by Prevent Blindness America for five popular sports that can cause eye injuries:

• Baseball. Use a polycarbonate faceguard that attaches to a helmet. Or, use sports eye guards.
• Basketball. Use sports eye guards.
• Soccer. Use sports eye guards.
• Football. Use a polycarbonate shield attached to a faceguard or sports eye guards.

It is important to be proactive in protecting your eyes especially while participating in sporting activities. If you have questions, talk with your primary care provider.

Nathan Murray, PA-C
Marlow Family Care