A sports injury can happen literally in the blink of an eye. And with an estimated 42,000 sports-related eye injuries each year according to the .U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Prevent Blindness America has declared September as Sports Eye Safety Awareness Month to educate the public on the necessary steps to keep eyes healthy and safe.
According to Prevent Blindness America, sports are the leading cause of eye injuries among children 14 and younger, and most injuries can be prevented with proper eye protection. Common sports eye injuries include a fractured eye socket, scratched corneas, swollen retinas, and even cataracts caused by trauma to the eye.* The organization recommends:
- Regular eyeglasses should never be worn while playing a sport, as they may shatter upon impact.
- Players who wear eyeglasses should use prescription protective sports eyewear fitted by an eye care professional.
- Sports eyewear should have padding or cushioning along the brow and bridge of the nose to prevent cuts to the skin.
- Athletes who have diminished vision in one eye should wear sports eye protectors as recommended by an eye care professional.
It’s of course best if an eye injury during a sporting event can be prevented with protective eyewear, but if an injury happens, knowing what to do can possibly prevent vision loss. In the case of a blow to the eye, and see a doctor immediately.
To learn more about contact lenses and sports, check out our blog post about it here. It’s a blog post that educates children, teens and their parents about vision safety and convenience when it comes to sports.
*If you’re curious about the number of eye injuries broken down by type of sport, click here.