According to eye safety experts, sports are responsible for causing eye injuries to more than 40,000 people each year. Sports are also the leading cause of eye injuries to children. Luckily, most eye injuries can be prevented through the proper use of protective eyewear.

Sports & Eye Injuries

Eye injuries can occur in almost any sport, including:

• baseball
• basketball
• fishing
• football
• golf
• hockey
• paintball
• skiing
• soccer
• tennis
• water sports.

The risk of eye injuries can be ranked at three levels, depending on the sport and equipment used:

• Low-risk sports do not use a ball, stick, bat, puck or racquet and do not have bodily contact. They include swimming, cycling, gymnastics and running.
• High-risk sports use a ball, stick, bat, puck or racquet and involve bodily contact. High-risk sports include baseball, basketball, football, hockey, tennis, racquetball, golf, fencing, water polo and more.
• Very-high-risk sports include bodily contact and feature little or no eye protection. They include boxing, wrestling and contact martial arts.

Common Eye Injuries in Sports

Eye injuries that occur on the playing field can range from minor injuries to more serious ones that can cause major vision loss or even blindness.

Here's a list of some common sports eye injuries:

• blunt trauma injuries (orbital blowout fracture, ruptured globe, detached retina, etc.)
• broken blood vessels in the eye
• bruising of the eyelids
• corneal abrasions
• eye swelling
• internal bleeding
• radiation injuries from exposure to ultraviolet sunlight.

Choosing Protective Eyewear for Sports

Protective eyewear is readily available for many sports and recreational activities. This eyewear comes in a variety of styles and colors and can be made from a variety of different materials.

Protective eyewear ranges from lightweight to sturdy and is developed to protect athletes from eye injury without hindering performance. Many eye safety products are made with heavy-duty plastic and polycarbonate lenses or eye shields.

For optimal eye safety, follow these guidelines when shopping for protective eyewear:

• Buy sports-specific eye shields or guards at optical stores or sports specialty stores.
• Check to see if the eyewear has been properly tested and approved for use by the appropriate governing body (e.g., the Protective Eyewear Certification Council).
• Choose eye guards with padding along the brow and the bridge of the nose.
• Consider purchasing eye safety wear with an anti-fog shield or side vents.
• Ensure that the eyewear fits properly.
• Select eyewear with a polycarbonate shield or lenses to prevent breakage. Do not buy eyewear without protective lenses.

*Regular eyeglasses, sunglasses, contact lenses and industrial or occupational safety glasses are not considered sufficient to protect the eyes during sports.

Consult Your Eye Care Physician

Athletes who wear prescription glasses or contact lenses off the field should check with an eye care professional to be fitted for prescription eye guards.

In addition, athletes who have a family history of retinal problems should consult their eye care physician before engaging in sports to avoid serious injuries.