April is Sports Eye Safety Awareness Month
In our line of work, we’re very aware of all the eye injuries that can occur in everyday life… which is also why we’re fanatical about recommending proper eye protection in sports and other hobbies. And, there’s no better time than April to remind our patients about this important topic. April is known as “Sports Eye Safety Awareness Month,” so in honor of this month, we’re bringing you a few tips that will help ensure the safety of your eyes and your kids’ eyes no matter what your favorite pastimes are.
What does High Risk Encompass?
Pretty much any sport can be considered risky when it comes to your eyes, but there are a few that the American Academy of Family Physicians has identified as particularly high-risk. Among these are basketball, water sports, baseball and racquet sports. The reason for this is that these sports make use of balls, bats, racquets or other small, fast-moving objects that can cause serious harm when they make contact with the eyes.
The most common types of eye injuries that athletes experience are either blunt, penetrating or radiation injuries. Some of these injuries can be incredibly painful, some require surgery and extensive recovery time - and the worst of them can cause blindness. With this in mind, it’s important to remember that sports-related eye injuries are no joke.
What’s the Best Protection?
If you’re involved in a sport that’s centered around balls, bats or racquets, you should look for the highest quality safety goggles. They should be lensed polycarbonate protectors, and any protective eyewear you choose should be labeled as ASTM F803 approved. This simply means it’s been tested rigorously and will ensure the most stringent level of protection.
If your child plays baseball, look into getting a polycarbonate face shield for them. If hockey is their sport of choice, find a helmet and/or face shield that’s been approved by the U.S. Amateur Hockey Association. The main takeaway to remember is that wearing sunglasses or prescription glasses will not protect your eyes or your child’s eyes from damage from a flying object.
If you need prescription glasses to see, ask your eye doctor to help you get into a pair of prescription eye goggles. They can help you see and make a world of difference in protecting your eyes without sacrificing their safety.
You and your kids need proper, tested and approved goggles, face shields or helmets depending on which sport you’re playing. Also remember that any gear you get should be specifically intended for use in sports.
The bottom line? Sports and eye safety gear play well together - and should always go hand-in-hand. After all, your vision and eye health, and that of your kids, is so important it must be protected in any high-risk situation. If you have any questions about the best types of eye protection to get, please contact us to learn more or schedule a consultation.