Spring has finally sprung, which means one thing. No, not spring cleaning. It means that countless individuals, like yourself, will return to the sports and hobbies they love. And while this may seem like great news, the truth is that it puts you at risk of eye injury.
Each and every year, tens of thousands of people suffer sports- or recreation-related eye injuries that. Fortunately, most of these eye injuries are preventable. In fact, 90% of serious eye injuries are preventable!
April is Sports Eye Safety Month, so what better time than now to address the topic? The hope is that organizations will help spread awareness and individuals will begin to take the necessary precautions – wearing protective eyewear – when performing tasks that have any likelihood of eye-related injury, injuries that could lead to more serious medical conditions like red eye, traumatic cataract or traumatic glaucoma.
Risk of Eye Injuries
High risk sports include:
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Racquetball
- Ice Hockey
High risk hobbies and activities include:
- Yard Work
- Home Repairs
- Cleaning
- Cooking
More than 40% of patients treated for eye injuries sustained at home were involved in one of the above activities.
Protective Eyewear
Before taking part in any sport or activity, consider the risk of flying debris. If there is ANY risk, be sure to wear protective eyewear. And remember, eyeglasses are not sufficient protection.
- For sports like baseball, ice hockey and men’s lacrosse, be sure to wear a helmet equipped with a polycarbonate facemask or wire shield.
- For other sports, such as basketball, soccer, field hockey, or racquetball, wear protective eyewear with polycarbonate lenses.
If an eye injury occurs, see your ophthalmologist or go to the emergency room right away. Any delay medical attention could result in permanent vision loss or even blindness.
To learn more about Sports Eye Safety Month, Eye Injuries, & Protective Eyewear, please contact Board Certified Ophthalmologist Dr. Boles, consultative optometrists Dr. Nathan Frank and Dr. Corinne Casey, and the eye care specialists at Anne Arundel Eye Center by calling 410-224-2010 or click here to visit AnneArundelEyeCenter.com. Staffed by caring and knowledgeable professionals, our state-of-the-art treatment center is dedicated to making the best eye care accessible to everyone.
For more eye care advice and information, please take a look at our previous blog posts.
You can also follow Anne Arundel Eye Center on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and YouTube as well!
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