Did you know that around 40% of all cases of eye injuries each year happen when playing sports? This problem also sends at least 13,000 individuals to the emergency room each year. As April marks Sports Eye Safety Awareness Month, your reliable eye doctor from Guilford Eye Center shares tips on preventing sports eye accidents.
Visit Your Optometrist
Before engaging in any sports or other recreational activities, it’s best to have your eyes checked by your eye care specialist. We can assess your eyes for any problems that may hold you back from performing well on the court. This way, we can provide necessary management early on. Having clear eyesight can keep you safe while playing.
Remember to Wear Safety Eyewear All the Time
The Eye Injury Snapshot survey conducted by the American Academy of Ophthalmology revealed that roughly 90% of all sports eye injuries could have been avoided by using protective eyeglasses or goggles. Your optometrist can help you find a pair that’s suitable for the specific sport or activity in which you’ll be participating.
If you’ll be part of a snowboarding or skiing competition, for example, we may suggest using mirror-coated or polarized goggles. They significantly cut glare, giving you better viewing ease and clarity. For fast-paced sports like baseball, we may suggest choosing amber- or yellow-hued lenses to enhance color contrast against the blue skies and green grass.
Consider Using Polycarbonate Lenses
When it comes to choosing your protective eyewear, you’ll never go wrong with polycarbonate. This material has exceptional durability and impact-resistance properties. Polycarbonate lenses are less likely to shatter and break on your eyes, even under high pressure or extreme conditions.
Keep in mind that if you sustain eye trauma when playing sports, do not rub your eyes, put pressure on them or apply unnecessary ointments. Doing so may worsen the problem. The best thing you can do is to head to your trusted eye clinic for an eye exam.
For more helpful tips on reducing your risk of having sports eye injuries, get in touch with us at (336) 387-6777, or complete our form. We proudly serve residents in Greensboro and the surrounding North Carolina areas.
