How to Prevent Sports-related Eye Injuries

Every year, tens of thousands of eye injuries occur while playing sports. Fortunately, 90 percent of sports-related eye injuries are preventable. You can reduce your risk of injury by following all appropriate safety guidelines and wearing proper protective eye equipment. In recognition of Eye Injury Prevention Month this October, below is a list of the eye equipment necessary for the following sports:

• Baseball—Baseball is one of the sports that cause the most eye injuries in adults. Protect yourself by wearing a polycarbonate or wire face guard attached to a helmet. In addition, make sure to wear polycarbonate lenses while on the field.
• Basketball—More than 6,000 basketball eye injuries occur each year. Athletes should wear protective eyewear with polycarbonate lenses when on the court.
• Ice hockey—Eye injuries in ice hockey are common due to flying pucks or sticks traveling at fast speeds. In order to prevent injuries, you should wear a helmet with a proper face mask. Visors can also help reduce the chances of eye injuries; however, there is some debate about whether visors restrict players’ vision.
• Football—Football is another sport where proper protective eyewear is key. Prevent injuries by wearing a polycarbonate eye shield attached to your helmet with a wire face mask.
• Paintball—When playing paintball it is important to wear protection goggles that cover your ears, eyes, cheeks and ears. Eye protection lenses should be at least ¹/₁₀ inches thick.
• Racquet sports—Racquet sports like racquetball and tennis are also common sources of eye injuries. Protect your eyes by wearing sport googles with polycarbonate lenses.

Remember, ordinary glasses are not appropriate substitutes for protective eyewear. Invest in protective eyewear that fits securely and comfortably. When possible, purchase eyewear that has been tested for sports use at sports stores or optical stores.

By wearing protective eyewear when playing sports, you can reduce your chances of developing a sports-related eye injury and protect your health.