Sports Related Eye Injuries Can Be Avoided
According to the America Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) there are approximately100,000 individuals each year that experience eye injuries related to sports. AAO goes on to state that about 13,500 of that number experience permanent vision loss. The good news here is that the majority of these injuries can be prevented by utilizing the proper eye wear protection.
https://www.aao.org/newsroom/observances
The National Eye Institute (NEI) is in agreement about the extent of eye injuries as related to sports and goes on to state that the cost is over $175 million per year. Any sports uniform should include protective eye wear which leads to the belief that parents and coaches play an important role in protecting of the eyes of our youth. NEI also tells us that 90% of sports-related eye injuries can be avoided with the use of protective eyewear. Examples of such eye wear are:
- Safety glasses and goggles
- Safety shields
- Eye guards designed for a specific sport.
Examples of items that are not for protection are:
- Prescription glasses
- Contact lenses
- Sunglasses
Not only those who wear prescription glasses and contact lenses should be wearing protection, but all those playing sports should be protected. What’s more, those with a history of eye injuries or vision in only one eye are especially at risk.
Parents and coaches are called upon to insist that their children and youth be protected by making eye gear part of the uniform. Afterall, permanent vision loss is permanent.