The importance of eye protection when playing sports
Athletes understand the importance of protecting their bodies when playing sports. Helmets, pads, and mouthguards are just a few of the items used to protect people in sports. When it comes to eye and vision protection, however, there tends to be less focus.
In this blog, we’ll look at the importance of eye protection and how to prevent serious eye injuries while playing sports.
Sports that need protective eye care
What sports come to mind when you think of eye injuries? Most people tend to think about action sports such as skiing, snowboarding, and mountain biking. However, there are other activities such as basketball, hockey, and soccer that have a risk of eye injury. Although many traditional sports in the United States don’t require eye protection, parents and participants may want to consider adding it to their list of protective items.
Here’s a chart of activities have varying risks of eye injury:
Some sports, such as paintball and fencing, have a high risk of eye injury and require participants to wear eye protection. However, other sports with a high risk of eye injury such as hockey, baseball, and softball don’t require eye protection. Unfortunately, significant injuries can occur if a player takes a hockey puck or ball to the eye. Players of these sports should not only wear a helmet but also either a face guard or sports eye goggles for protection (if the helmet doesn’t already include a cage).
Sports such as biking, skiing, snowboarding, and swimming have a lower injury risk, but that doesn’t mean injuries don’t occur. Bikers should wear eye protection to prevent small items such as rocks or sand from entering their eyes. Skiers and snowboarders get multiple benefits from wearing goggles. Not only do ski and snowboard goggles prevent debris from getting into the eyes, but many types also have protection against the sun. Eye damage while outdoors can occur due to the sun reflecting off the snow, the high UV radiation that comes along with higher elevation, and cold, dry, windy conditions.
Eye protection can also help prevent infections in some cases. Swim goggles protect against chlorine, bacteria, and other chemicals from entering the eye. These chemicals can cause irritation and other medical problems.
Types of sport-related eye injuries
Sport-related eye injuries are more common than many people think. Here are some of the types of eye injuries that can occur when playing sports:
- Corneal abrasion: Corneal abrasion occurs when the cornea, or the transparent part of the eye that covers the iris and pupil, is scratched or injured. This tends to happen when a small object such as a pebble, dirt, toys, or a ball hits the eye.
- Hyphema: Hyphema is bleeding in and around the eye, usually after being struck by something. If this appears it is crucial to get medical care immediately.
- Bruise/black eye: Also known as “ecchymosis,” a bruised or black eye is the most common eye injury you see. A black eye occurs after being struck in the eye causing the tissue surrounding the eye to bruise.
- Fractures: Fractures occur when one or more bones surrounding the eye are broken. This is usually caused by a significant impact on the eye area. Orbital fractures can cause severe damage to the eye, so going to see an eye doctor is imperative.
- Eyelid laceration: Eyelid lacerations are scratches or cuts that occur on the eyelid. If this happens, have an eye physician examine the cornea, pupil, and retina to make sure the laceration doesn’t impair your vision.
Choosing the right eye protection
The best way to protect your eyes and vision is to choose the correct eye protection gear. Different types of sports glasses and goggles are available for reasonable prices. Here are some of the most common options:
- Sports glasses, also known as “rec specs,” are more common in sports with limited contact or lower intensity.
- Sports goggles are used more commonly in sports with high speeds and the potential for contact. This is because sports goggles stay on your face much better than sports glasses do.
- Prescription lenses options: Sports goggles and sports glasses both come with prescription options. View selections here.
Glasses or goggle lenses can differ depending on what sport you are playing, as well as the position within that sport. Before selecting protective eyewear, be sure to ask your vision specialist for recommendations.
Lastly, it is crucial that whatever type of eye protection you get fits correctly. This is important because eye protection that doesn’t fit correctly can compromise your vision, which could result in serious injury and defeat its purpose.
Looking for more information on keeping your eyes healthy? Check out this blog:
