by Lawrence V. Najarian, M.D. and Lisa Ortenzio, O.D.
Q. How common are sports eye injuries? Should I be concerned about my child who plays sports?
A. The short answer is, “Yes.” Nearly 30,000 sports-related eye injuries are treated in U.S. emergency rooms each year, according to the most recent estimates we have. The good news is that 90% of serious eye injuries could be prevented by wearing appropriate protective eyewear.
Q. My child wears eyeglasses. Won’t these protect from eye injuries?
A. Eyeglasses don’t protect one’s eyes from impact, debris, or damage. Some glasses can shatter if damaged, causing even more eye injury. Protective eyewear should be made from polycarbonate material. Polycarbonate lenses resist shattering and can provide UV (ultraviolet light) protection.
Q. Where can I obtain proper eye protection for sports?
A. Each sport has specific requirements for eye protection. It’s crucial to prioritize proper eye protection when engaging in sports activities. Consulting with an optician — an eyeglass dispensing expert — who specializes in sports eyewear, can ensure you get the right gear tailored to your specific needs and requirements of your sport. They can assess factors like impact resistance, lens tinting for various lighting conditions, and prescription compatibility if you wear glasses.
At The Optical Shoppe of Bedminster Eye & Laser Center, our experienced opticians are dedicated to helping you find the best sports eye protection. Whether you need non-prescription goggles or protective eyewear that incorporates your prescription lenses, we’re here to guide you through the selection process. Ensuring your eyes are adequately protected can enhance both your safety and performance on the field or court.
Q. What sports cause eye injuries?
A. Eye injuries can happen in almost any sport, but some sports are at higher risk than others. Basketball causes the most sports eye injuries in the U.S. One study found that basketball was the leading cause of sports-related eye injuries in the United States followed by baseball, softball, airsoft rifles, pellet guns, racquetball, and hockey.
Protective sports glasses with shatterproof plastic, called polycarbonate lenses, should be worn for sports such as basketball, racquet sports, soccer, and field hockey. Choose eye protectors that have been tested to meet the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards or that pass the CSA racquet sports standard. You should wear protective glasses or goggles with UV protection when snow skiing or water skiing. They will help shield your eyes from sunburn and glare. In ice hockey and men’s lacrosse, wear a helmet with a polycarbonate face mask or wire shield. Hockey face masks should be approved by the Hockey Equipment Certification Council or the Canadian Standards Association (CSA). Boxing and full-contact martial arts pose an extremely high risk of serious and even blinding eye injuries. There is no satisfactory eye protection for boxing, although thumbless gloves may reduce the number of boxing eye injuries.
Q. What about spectator eye safety?
A. Spectators at sporting events should also be careful. Balls, bats, and players can end up in the stands at any time. Keep your eyes on the game and watch out for foul balls and flying objects.
Q. What should I do in the event of an eye injury?
A. If you have an eye injury, go to the emergency room or see your eye care professional immediately, even if the injury appears minor. You can’t always tell when an eye is injured. That is why having an eye doctor or other medical professional examine the eye as soon as possible is important. Delaying medical attention can result in permanent vision loss or blindness.