Just about every sport carries some risk of physical injury. From hockey to table tennis, your eyes remain one of the most vulnerable areas of your face. That’s right, contrary to what most think, even non-contact sports can leave your eyes seriously damaged. One wrong move and your vision could become blurred or completely disappear.
April is Sports Eye Safety Month, and we here at Paragon Eye Associates want to mark the occasion by providing you with some information that will keep you aware and safe during your athletic activities. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, it is estimated that 100,000 people are hurt yearly by sports-related eye injuries, and about 13,500 of these injuries result in permanent vision loss. Don’t become one of these cases – read our info below and protect your eyes. For more help and information, please schedule a consultation at one of our Texas offices.
Sports With the Most Eye Injuries
Now, every sport carries some risk of injury. But eye injuries are the most common in sports involving high-speed balls, swinging clubs or bats, close aggressive play, or small, high-velocity projectiles.
- Highest Risk Sports – Baseball, Basketball, Paintball, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, and Racquetball.
- Moderate-Risk Sports – Tennis, Soccer, Golf.
- Low-Risk Sports – Swimming, Cycling.
- Safe Sports – Track and Field, Gymnastics.
Glasses Are Not Enough to Protect Your Eyes!
One key point that needs to be emphasized is that wearing reading or sunglasses is insufficient to protect your eyes from injury. In fact, wearing either can increase the risk of injury, especially if you participate in contact sports. Safety goggles feature shatter-resistant polycarbonate lenses. These lenses are designed not to shatter on impact, ensuring your eyes remain protected even when colliding with another participant or object.
Wearing goggles can prevent the occurrence of two of the most common sports-related eye injuries, namely corneal abrasion and hyphema. Additionally, helmet visors have become more commonly used for eye protection in sports like football.
Be Careful With Resistance Bands
Just as contact spots can be dangerous, so can preparing for them. If you spend much time at the gym, you’re undoubtedly familiar with resistance bands. These bands are commonly hooked to door frames or other equipment and pulled. Popular shoulder exercises such as the rope face pull are the perfect setup for a serious eye injury.
When exercising with ropes or cables, it’s important to ensure your equipment is properly secured. Remember that these bands undergo great tension during the exercise and can snap if not securely attached.
Where to Find Protective Eye Gear
Buying a set of goggles from a discount store will not only fail to provide proper protection but will also burden you with uncomfortable eyewear. When purchasing a set of goggles, shop at a sporting goods store or an eye care professional’s office. Additionally, be sure to keep the following in mind:
- Make sure your eyewear fits well and feels comfortable.
- Only buy eyewear that features an ASTM F803 Label. This stands for the American Society of Testing Materials and ensures that the product has been tested and proven effective.
- Make sure the lenses are made of shatter-proof polycarbonate and are ultra-strong.
- Make sure your glasses don’t reduce vision.
- Make sure your new glasses are highly impact-resistant.
- Ensure the level of eye protection is appropriate for the type of activity.
Stay Safe and Schedule a Consultation Today
If your eyes have been injured while out on the field, we can help. Paragon Eye Associates is staffed by industry professionals ready to provide you with the expert eye care you deserve.
Schedule your evaluation by filling out the form below. You can also contact us over the phone by dialing (817) 277-6433 for our Arlington office or (817) 477-0223 for our Mansfield office.
