Sports and Protective Eyewear

Article Credit: Canadian Association of Optometrists (opto.ca)

What are the risks to the eyes when playing a sport?

The risks of eye injuries vary from low to high depending on the type of sport you are participating in; however, no sport is exempt. High-risk sports for eye injuries include baseball, basketball, lacrosse, hockey, paintball, and full contact martial arts.¹Some of the most common types of eye injuries that happen while playing sports include:

• Blunt Trauma is the most common type of eye injury. It occurs when an object, such as a ball, hits the eye with blunt force. Some of the injuries caused by blunt trauma include retinal tears, retinal detachment, broken bone around the eye socket, and iris injury.

• Corneal abrasion can occur when a foreign object comes in contact with the eye surface, such as getting poked or scratched in the eye or dust or sand getting into the eye. This type of injury can result in eye redness, blocked tear ducts, infection, or vision impairment.

How can I prevent eye injuries during sports?

Eye injuries that happen while playing sports can be prevented by using protective eyewear, which should be considered part of your equipment, just like facemasks, helmets, or shin pads.

To ensure your eyes are properly protected during sports, book an appointment with your local optometrist to discuss the most appropriate type of protective eyewear for you.

References

1. Motlagh, B. F., Zamani, N., Ghojazadeh, M., Nateghian, H., Hosseinifard, H., Pashazadeh, F., & Yengejeh, S. (2021). Prevalence of sports-related eye injuries: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Archives of Trauma Research, 10(3), 114-132. Available from: https://archtrauma.kaums.ac.ir/article_157033_23218cdedf07574213df39131414c53f.pdf