Sports Eye Safety: Tips and Injury Prevention

At least 42,000 people visit the emergency room each year because of eye-related injuries. As such, eye care professionals emphasize the importance of wearing protective eyewear. In fact, wearing the right eyewear helps prevent 9 out of 10 sports-related eye injuries.  

The month of April is Sports Eye Safety Awareness Month. Insight Vision Center Optometry, your trusted eye care center, shares some tips to prevent serious eye injuries and even blindness when playing your favorite sports. 

What Is Protective Eyewear?

Protective eyewear is made of ultra-strong polycarbonate, a type of plastic that not only protects eyes from ultraviolet (UV) rays, but also resists impact. There are many types of protective eyewear for sports, from safety goggles to face guards. Special eyewear designed for specific sports is also available.

Ordinary glasses or contact lenses may not protect you from sports eye injuries. However, there are plenty of safety goggles that you can wear over your regular glasses or contacts whenever you’re playing sports. 

How Can You Prevent Eye Injuries?

To prevent eye injuries, eye doctors share the following tips while you play your favorite sports:

• For hockey, baseball and football, wear a face mask with a shatterproof shield.
• For basketball, field hockey, soccer and any sport that involves the use of a racket, wear goggles or other protective eyewear with polycarbonate lenses.
• Make sure your protective eyewear meets the requirements of the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) or passes the CSA racket sports standards.
• Protective eyewear should fit well and be padded along the brow and bridge to avoid cutting into your skin.
• If you are wearing contact lenses, wear soft contacts, and ensure you have an extra pair.
• Should you sustain an eye injury, get in touch with your eye doctor as soon as possible to have it checked out.
• Consider LASIK surgery so you don’t have to wear eyeglasses or contact lenses while playing sports. Nevertheless, you will still need protective eyewear to protect your eyes from impact.

For more inquiries regarding eye health, visit our specialists at Insight Vision Center Optometry. We offer a wide range of eye care services. Call us today at (714) 486-3315, or fill out our contact form to set an appointment. We offer services in Costa Mesa, Newport Beach and the surrounding areas.