Categories: Eye Care

Sports Eye Safety: Basics and Fast Facts

Every year, around 30,000 people in the U.S. visit the emergency room because of sports-related eye injuries. 90 percent of these cases could be prevented by wearing proper protective eyewear.

In today’s post, your local optometrist shares tips to keep your eyes safe while playing sports.

Common Causes of Sports Eye Injuries

Basketball is the leading cause of sports-related eye injuries in the U.S., followed by baseball, softball, airsoft rifles, pellet guns, racquetball and hockey. Among children aged five to 14, the most common cause of sports-related eye injuries is baseball.  Around 45 percent of injuries in mixed martial arts are face and eye injuries.

Sports Eye Safety Tips

When playing sports such as basketball, soccer or field hockey, you should wear protective eyewear with shatterproof plastic or polycarbonate lenses. Make sure that your protective eyewear meets the American Society of Testing and Materials standards. You can consult your eye doctor to make sure you’re wearing the right type of eyewear for your activity.

People who wear eye protection while playing hockey are four times less likely to sustain an eye injury. Boxing and full-contact martial arts involve a very high risk of serious eye injuries. While there’s no eyewear specifically designed for boxing, thumb-less gloves may help prevent eye injuries.

At Vienna Eyecare Center, we offer a wide range of products and services to meet your vision needs. Our eye care services include basic diagnosis, treatment options, surgical solutions, and more. Call us at (703) 938-7633 or fill out our contact form to make an appointment. We cater to patients in Fairfax, VA.

Dr. Richard Snively

Recent Posts

What You Need to Know About Dilated Eye Exams

Eye health is an essential aspect of your overall wellness, often overlooked until a problem…

5 days ago

Does Nearsightedness or Farsightedness Improve with Age?

Understanding the nuances of eye health, particularly how conditions like nearsightedness and farsightedness evolve with…

1 week ago

Are Thin High-Index Lenses Worth the Extra Money?

When it comes to choosing eyewear, particularly for those of us with strong prescriptions, we…

2 weeks ago

Signs It’s Time to Schedule Your Next Eye Appointment

Maintaining optimal eye health is crucial, not only for clear vision but also for overall…

1 month ago

Is Untreated Myopia Dangerous?

Myopia, commonly known as nearsightedness, is a prevalent vision condition that affects a significant portion…

2 months ago

Things You Need to Know About Cataract Surgery

Cataract surgery is one of the most common and successful procedures performed today. If you…

2 months ago