Playing it Safe: Preventing Sports-Related Eye Injuries
Sports are a great way to have fun and stay active, but it’s important to understand the risks they pose. Basketball, for instance, tops the list for sports-related eye injuries in the United States. Activities involving projectiles carry the greatest risk of temporary or permanent vision loss. Full-contact sports like boxing and martial arts pose an extremely high risk of serious, potentially blinding eye injuries.
Thousands of people seek treatment for sports-related eye injuries annually in the U.S., with youth athletes being particularly vulnerable. The good news is that most of these injuries are preventable. Here are some safety measures athletes can adopt to safeguard their eyes while playing their favorite sports:
The first defense against sports-related eye injuries is proper protective gear. Different sports may require specific types of goggles or helmets, so it's important to use the gear recommended for your sport. Regular glasses or contact lenses alone do not provide sufficient protection against injury.
Sports-related concussions can also have a significant impact on ocular health. Athletes who sustain concussions may experience temporary or lasting damage to their eyesight. If a head injury occurs, seek medical attention immediately to assess the extent of the damage and determine the appropriate recovery period. It's imperative for individuals affected by concussions to allow sufficient time for recovery before returning to sports.
By implementing these preventive measures, athletes can continue to enjoy their sports while significantly reducing the risk of unwarranted eye injuries. If an ocular injury occurs, visit your optometrist as soon as possible so you can get back to playing the sport you love.







