According to the American Academy Ophthalmology Association, there are nearly 30,000 sports-related eye injuries each year, landing people in emergency rooms around the country. With the spring sports season well underway, it’s time to investigate ways in which we can protect our eyes, especially for our youth.

With the myriad of sporting activities, injury prevention, as well as treatment, should be customized to prevent loss of sight. Simply donning protective eyewear and hoping for the best is not enough. Your licensed eye care professional should be consulted so that a personalized plan can be developed that will keep you or your child safe.

Interestingly, basketball leads the pack with eye injuries. Given that there is no protective headgear worn in this sport, the eyes are vulnerable to jabs, falls, and other unforeseen hits. Likewise for sports like soccer and tennis. Keep in mind that while it’s critical to protect your eyes in any sport, for those such as football and even casual biking, helmets should be worn at all times to prevent concussions.

If you or your child wear prescription glasses, custom protective eyewear is available that can either cover your existing frames or be used in place of them. You will want to seek out impact-resistant protective goggles that meet or exceed the American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM) standards to ensure complete protection.

Ensuring your or your child’s eyes are protected during sports activities, whether in school or informal programs, is critical to preventing injuries that may cause a loss of vision. There are many practical and affordable solutions available.

In recognition of Sports Eye Safety Month, schedule an exam with your licensed eye care professional prior to the season launch to discuss the many eye protection options available.

Originally published on April 27, 2021 by Kristine Heslin on LinkedIn