School is back in session, and youth sports are slowly filling our schedules again. Hence, September is Sports Eye Safety Month. Keep reading to learn more about sports eye safety, from eye protection to eye injury prevention.
About sports eye safety
According to data from Prevent Blindness, more than 32,000 sports-related eye injuries were treated in the United States in 2022. Furthermore, it is estimated that more than 25,000 people seek treatment for sports-related eye injuries annually.
Luckily, most injuries can be prevented through awareness. First, wearing eye protection is essential, no matter the sport or the athlete’s age! Prevent Blindness recommends that all athletes wear protective eyewear when participating in sports. We also suggest consulting your eye doctor to determine the best eye protection based on the sport or your medical needs.
The National Eye Institute states wearing the right protective eyewear can prevent nine out of 10 sports-related eye injuries. This includes corneal abrasions, inflamed iris, hyphema, traumatic cataracts, detached retinas and eye socket fractures.
Sports Eye Safety Month recommendations
Knowing that September is Sports Eye Safety Month, here are some recommendations for the best ways to protect your eyes this season and beyond:
- Wear proper safety goggles when participating in sports. This particularly helps with racquet sports or basketball.
- Be sure your eye goggles or guards are labeled ASTM F803-approved for the highest tested level of protection.
- You can also use helmets with face shields for activities such as baseball and hockey.
- Consult an eye doctor for protective eyewear recommendations.
- Meet with your coach or athletic trainer to ensure proper procedures are in place to deal with eye injuries.
- Parents, teachers, school nurses and coaches should learn about the eye injury risks associated with sports before allowing children to participate.
- Enroll children in organized sports where an adult trained in eye injury prevention is there to supervise activities.
- Familiarize yourself with the warning signs of an eye injury and know when to seek treatment.
Summary
Since September is Sports Eye Safety Month, educate yourself on sports eye safety now before your season begins so you can take precautions when needed.
Are you looking for an eye doctor in Mississippi to learn more about sports vision testing and eye safety tips? Contact your local Mississippi Eye Care clinic! In the meantime, continue reading our blogs for more industry news.
