April is Sports Eye Safety Month

Did you know there are roughly 40,000 sports-related eye injuries every year in the U.S. alone?

Eye protection is important for everyone with an active lifestyle, but especially for young people who play a school sport. In fact, most victims of sports-related eye injuries are children.

In support of Sports Eye Safety Month, Blue Ridge Eye Associates reminds athletes everywhere that the great majority of sports-related eye injuries can be avoided by simply wearing the proper protection.

Sports-related Eye Injuries Are Preventable

A staggering 90 percent of reported sports-related eye injuries are preventable! Rather than suffering from a painful and possibly detrimental eye injury, choose the right eye protection for the particular sport you play.

Sport-specific eyewear recommendations:

• Basketball: Wrap-around sports goggles or glasses.
• Football: Both eye and facial guards and a polycarbonate shield attached to the helmet.
• Soccer: Sports goggles or glasses.
• Tennis: Lightweight wrap-around sports glasses.
• Lacrosse: Padded, form-fitting face mask.
• Baseball/Softball: Helmet with face shield, wrap-around sports goggles or glasses (shatter proof).
• Hockey: Full-face helmet.
• Swimming/Diving: Swimming goggles and diving masks.
• Track and field: Lightweight wrap-around sports goggles.
• Volleyball: Sports goggles or sunglasses, if outside.

Regular Eyeglasses Are Not Enough

Regular eyeglasses can end up doing more harm than good in a sports-related accident. Glasses made for everyday wear are not built to the same protective standards as safety eyewear and can break upon impact. Excessive contact can shatter lenses and break frames—putting the eyes and face at serious risk of injury.