With Sports Eye Safety Month upon us, it’s a perfect time to discuss eye injuries in sports. They are the leading cause of blindness in children, making this a critical issue for parents and coaches alike. In fact, emergency rooms treat over 40,000 sports-related eye injuries each year. It’s vital for children to avoid eye injuries if they wish to lead a healthy, fulfilling life. Luckily, there are many things they can do to protect their eyes while playing sports. 

Types of Eye Injuries in Sports 

It’s important to understand the different types of eye injuries in sports. They may occur suddenly and without warning, putting children at risk of further harm. There are a number of ways in which eyes can become damaged, especially during contact sports. The following are three common types of eye injuries often experienced by athletic children. 

Blunt Trauma 

The most common type of sports-related eye injury occurs from blunt force trauma. This happens when a severe impact damages the eye area. It can cause minor injuries like black eyes and double vision or severe conditions like detached retinas or broken orbital bones. This injury is one to watch for during high intensity sports like football, soccer, hockey, and basketball. 

Penetrating Injuries 

While not nearly as common as blunt trauma, penetrating injuries are possible when proper eye protection isn’t worn. They typically occur while wearing regular glasses during sports. If glasses break, their shards may scratch or cut the eye. These invasive injuries are rare, but they sometimes occur during baseball, softball, and other sports that don’t require a helmet. 

Radiation Damage 

Ultraviolet radiation from the sun can also damage children’s eyes. These types of injuries typically occur in snow and water sports, or those played during summer months. Overexposure to sunlight essentially burns different parts of the eye. This can lead to various issues in the short- and long-term. 

Which Sports Have the Most Eye Injuries? 

Most eye injuries occur during basketball and baseball. These popular activities are intense, involve many positions, and often don’t require much in the way of protective equipment. This presents many opportunities for eyes to experience unexpected impacts. Water sports and racquet sports follow in terms of eye injury frequency. 

When considering the risk level of different sports, it’s important to remember the likelihood of contact with others. Also, sports that involve balls, pucks, sticks, and other equipment that moves at high speeds have higher levels of risk. Of course, those that require helmets or faceguards are generally safer for children’s eyes. 

How to Prevent Eye Injuries in Sports 

There are a number of things that one can do to prevent different types of eye injuries in sports. In fact, 90% of sports-related eye injuries are preventable. Always be sure to schedule regular eye exams to catch any issues before they worsen. Here are some tips to reduce the likelihood of eye damage when playing sports. 

• Wear safety goggles like sports glasses that have durable polycarbonate lenses. 
• Ensure that any eye guard you use is ASTM F803 approved. 
• Youth baseball players should use batting helmets with polycarbonate face shields. 
• Don’t wear regular glasses when playing sports if at all possible. 
• Use all appropriate safety equipment dictated by youth sports organizations.

Athletics are fun activities where teens and children can learn many valuable skills such as teamwork and leadership. However, they also increase the risk of injuries if proper safety techniques aren’t followed. Being aware of common injuries and how to avoid them will empower athletes of all ages to play it safe. If you have questions about sports-related eye injuries, contact us for more information. We will gladly discuss any concerns to give you greater peace of mind in this regard.