April is Sports Eye Safety Awareness month. Each year, more than 25,000 children and adults seek medical care for a sports-related eye injury. UT Health Ophthalmology would like to remind you that most of these injuries can be prevented. Regular eye glasses are often insufficient to provide enough protection for rigorous sports.
Below are easy steps to protect your eyes:
Wear proper safety goggles for racquet sports or basketball. Make sure they are labeled as with either CSA Racquet Sports or ASTM approval. This means the eyewear is tested to give you the highest level of protection.
Youth baseball players should use batting helmets with polycarbonate face shields. Hockey players should use helmets with face masks or wire shields that are approved by the U.S. Amateur Hockey Association.
For those individuals with prescription eye glasses needs, prescription goggles are available in many different styles and colors; such styles allow the athlete to compete safely, and are often not distinguishable from other protective eyewear.
There is no satisfactory eye protection for boxing; however, thumbless gloves have been associated with a decrease in eye injuries.
If the athlete has reduced vision in one eye, counsel with your ophthalmologist prior to participating in these sports to ensure safe practices for the better seeing eye.
Polycarbonate lenses are a special material with high impact resistance against shattering – they are considered the strongest eye guards available. As such, look for that word on the label.The protective goggles may feel strange at first, but kids get used to them quickly. And remember, they are a lot more comfortable than a severe eye injury!
For any questions or help with you or your child’s eyes, call UT Health Ophthalmology at 210-450-9400 or visit us online.
