The Eye Injury Snapshot is a recurring survey about eye injuries conducted by the American Academy of Ophthalmology. The survey revealed that more than 40% of all eye trauma cases are related to sports and other recreational activities.
Your eye doctor shares tips on protecting your eyes while enjoying your favorite sport.
Have Your Eyes Professionally Checked
Having good vision certainly boosts your performance when playing sports. This is why most athletes put a premium on undergoing regular eye assessments. Not only does this help detect vision problems, but it can also improve your visual acuity to give you that extra-competitive edge.
Wearing Protective Eye Gear Is a Must
The Eye Injury Snapshot revealed that roughly 90% of the reported eye accidents would have been preventable by using protective eyewear. The type of sport or recreational activity you’ll be participating in largely determines what type of safety eye gear your eye doctor will recommend. Most of the time, the sport’s governing body will stipulate certain guidelines.
Eyeglasses made with Polycarbonate or Trivex material generally make a great choice. Not only are they durable, but they can also resist high pressure and impact. This means they won’t break easily even when you’re playing contact sports.
Be Aware of Subtle Signs of Eye Trauma
Some eye accidents are asymptomatic at first. “Black eyes” and other forms of blunt trauma, for example, usually appear after several hours or days. This is why it’s important to be alert for subtle signs of eye injuries, like pain, heaviness and blurry vision. As soon as you notice any of these symptoms, visit your eye doctor.
For more tips on protecting your eyes from sports-related trauma, call us at (425) 771-8472 for Alderwood Optical or (425) 485-0430 for Canyon Park Vision Clinic. You may also complete our form to schedule an appointment. We serve Redmond, Kirkland, Woodinville and surrounding WA communities.