April is known as Sports Eye Safety Month. Tens of thousands of sports and recreation-related eye injuries happen every year, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology. The great thing is that about 90 percent of severe eye-related injuries can be prevented through the use of appropriate protective eye gear. In this article, a local optometrist shares a few essential tips to follow.
When Should Kids Use Protective Eyewear?
Children need to use protective eyewear when they are practicing or competitively playing a sport that raises their risk of eye-related damage. Basketball, baseball, fencing, and hockey are sports that commonly pose a high risk of eye injury. Meanwhile, sports with a moderate risk of eye injury include badminton, golf and tennis.
Tips for Preventing Sports-Related Eye Injuries
A trusted optometrist recommends the following preventive measures:
- Wear a face mask equipped with a shatterproof shield when playing sports such as football, hockey, and baseball at all times.
- For basketball, soccer, field hockey and other sports that include the use of a racket, be sure to wear goggles or other protective eyewear with poly-carbonate lenses.
- It is critical to choose eye protectors that have been tested and adhere to the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards.
- Many professionals recommend investing in sport-specific eye gear.
- Make sure the protective eyewear fits exceptionally well. Find one that also is padded along the brow and bridge of the nose to prevent it from cutting into the skin.
- If you sustain an eye injury, see an ophthalmologist as soon as possible to address the problem.
Alderwood Optical is an eye-care specialty clinic serving Bothell, Lynnwood and Shoreline, WA. Our team focuses on eye health and vision rehabilitation through specialty contact lenses to help patients achieve an improved quality of life. Call us at (425) 771-8472 or fill out our contact form to set up an appointment with an optometrist.