A Quick Guide to Sports Eye Safety

• Kelly McGahen
• 2 years ago
• Categories: Eye Care
• Tags: eye doctor, eye exam, eye test

Sports-related eye injuries are a lot more common than you might think. There are more than 31,000 cases that require emergency room care every year, according to a 2019 report by Prevent Blindness of America. This underlines the importance of wearing eye safety gear when you play sports. In today’s post, your trusted local eye doctor Joel H. McGahen OD shares a quick guide to sports eye safety.

Sports That Typically Cause Eye Injuries

All sports involve some risk of eye injury; however, some have higher risks than others. The same report we mentioned above shows that the top sports-related injuries are in basketball, sports played in the water, sports involving airsoft and pellet guns, and baseball and softball. Also, with the increasing popularity of new “extreme” sports, the number of eye injuries related to these sports may have a corresponding increase.

How to Protect the Eyes While Playing Sports

Fortunately, sports-related eye injuries are mostly preventable by wearing appropriate, sport-specific eyewear that’s properly fitted. It’s important to note that many youth and children’s teams do not require eye protection, therefore parents must insist on children wearing safety glasses or goggles. The following are some tips on how to protect the eyes while playing sports:

• Do not substitute regular eyeglasses for protective eyewear. Prescription eyeglasses, sunglasses and other everyday eyewear are not designed to be used in active sports. While it is possible to wear eye protection over prescription eyeglasses, it can be uncomfortable during play and may become a distraction. You can have custom protective eyewear with prescription lenses made at your local eye care center.

• Choose eyewear that meets ASTM standards. All protective eyewear should meet the impact standards of the American Standards for Testing and Materials. Eyewear that doesn’t meet these standards increases the risk of eye injuries, as the lenses can shatter upon impact and get into the eyes. Eyewear that meets ASTM standards is made of polycarbonate.

• Wear protective eyewear with your helmet or face guard. Helmets and face guards are not substitutes for protective eyewear. Equipment such a baseball or hockey puck, or an opponent’s fingers, may penetrate a face guard’s openings, so wearing protective eyewear is still needed.

Joel H. McGahen OD is a trusted optometrist and eye care provider serving Chambersburg, PA, and the surrounding communities. If you need the right protective eyewear or if you have other eye care concerns, give us a call at (717) 264-4012 or fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment.