You have your kneepads and your helmet. Or your faceguard and your gloves. Before you walk onto the playing field, don’t forget to protect your eyes. Find out more about preventing eye injuries by taking this quiz.
1. More than 90 percent of sports eye injuries can be prevented.
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According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, more than 40 percent of eye injuries are related to sports and sporting activities. Eye injuries are among the most serious sports injuries in terms of their lifelong impact: If vision is lost through an eye injury, it usually can't be restored. Most of these injuries can be prevented with protective eyewear.
2. Tennis is considered a high-risk sport for eye injuries.
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Sports that put a player at high risk for eye injury are those that use an object such as a ball, puck or bat or those that involve body contact. Besides tennis, these sports include baseball, basketball, hockey, football, lacrosse, fencing, paintball and water polo. Some sports, such as boxing or wrestling, are considered very high risk because the participants do not wear eye protection and they are in contact with each other. Low-risk sports are swimming, gymnastics, running and cycling.
3. A "black eye" is usually a medical emergency.
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A black eye occurs when the eye and eyelid are bruised through a blow to the eye. Although a black eye looks serious, it usually is not. A blow to the eye -- called blunt trauma -- can result in serious injury, however. A blow can result in a broken bone beneath the eyeball, called an orbital fracture; a broken eyeball, called a ruptured globe; blood behind the cornea, a condition called hyphema; or a detached retina. A corneal abrasion, or scrape on the cornea, is another common type of eye injury that occurs in sports. It usually happens when a player's fingernail scrapes across another player's eye. The eye can also be injured by an object, such as a BB pellet or piece of broken glass, enters the eye. Snow and water sports also can lead to radiation burns on the eyes from the sun reflected off bright surfaces. You should see your health care provider if you have any type of eye injury.
4. You should see your health care provider before signing up for a sport.
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You should talk to your health care provider before beginning any exercise program, particularly if you have certain health conditions. Your provider can also advise you on protective eyewear for the sport. If you have a personal or family history of retinal problems, you should also see an eye doctor before playing a high-risk sport.
5. If you don't have protective eyewear, you can wear a sturdy pair of sunglasses instead.
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Although sunglasses are important when participating in snow or water sports, they will not protect your eyes against blows or objects. Even if you wear a faceguard or helmet, you still need protective eyewear. The lenses on your protective eyewear should be made of 3 mm polycarbonate. These are thin, light, and impact resistant. If you need prescription lenses, they also can be made of 3 mm polycarbonate.
6. A player who has an eye injury should return to play only when an eye doctor gives his or her OK.
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The eye doctor will make sure the eye is functioning properly. Players should never use a topical pain medication on the eye so they can keep playing.
7. You should wear swimming goggles wherever you swim.
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Chlorine in public pools can irritate your eyes, and water in ponds and lakes can contain the organism acanthamoeba, which can cause inflammation of the cornea.
