Warm Weather Sports & Eye Safety | Sports Eye Safety Awareness Month

It’s that time of year when we put away the winter coats and dust off our spring and summer sports equipment. For many people, warm weather is the start of the sports season. While warm weather sports are a great way to maintain fitness and have some fun, it’s important to do so safely.

April is Sports Eye Safety Awareness Month, which provides a great reminder to take the proper precautions and use the proper safety equipment to prevent sports eye injuries. 
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Common Causes of Warm Weather Sports Injuries 

Certain warm weather sports are considered higher risk for sustaining an eye injury than others. Sports that involve using a ball, racket, or bat are typically considered higher risk than other types of activities, but eye injuries can occur even during sports that are considered moderate or low risk.
 
Below are some common warm weather sports and eye injuries that can ensue:
 
Baseball & Softball
Baseball and softball are high-risk sports due to the possibility of an injury from the ball or bat. Blunt force trauma injuries to the eye are the most common type of eye injury from these two sports. Blunt force to the eye can result in a minor injury, such as a bruise or black eye, but it can also cause a more serious injury, such as a fracture, globe injury, or retinal detachment.
 
Tennis
Tennis is considered a moderate risk sport for eye injuries due to the possibility of being hit with the ball. Although a tennis ball is not hard, it can still lead to blunt force trauma to the eye. The extent of damage to the eye from blunt force depends on the hardness and speed of the object. While a tennis ball often causes less injury than a baseball or softball, the part of the eye that is impacted also plays a role in the severity of the injury.
 
Water Polo
Water polo is also considered a moderate-risk sport. Most injuries are due to the close contact players may have. Lacerations and abrasions are most common from being poked in the eye.
 
Swimming
While swimming is considered a low-risk activity for eye injuries, it is important to be aware that harsh chemicals in pools or bacteria in lakes or rivers can lead to eye irritation or infection. 
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Symptoms of Sports Eye Injuries

​Symptoms of sports eye injuries may be obvious or subtle. Symptoms may include the following:

• Loss of vision
• Pain
• Swelling
• Sensitivity to light
• Redness
• Floaters
• Bleeding into the white of the eye

 

Warm Weather Sports Eye Protection 

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, taking the correct precautions can prevent approximately 90 percent of sports-related eye injuries.
 
One of the best ways to prevent sports injuries to the eyes is to use proper eye protection. For baseball and softball players, it is important to wear battling helmets that also have polycarbonate face shields. Face shields protect batters from wild pitches, as well as base runners from getting hit with a ball.
 
If you or your family plays racket sports, such as tennis, protective eyewear with polycarbonate lenses helps protect your eyes. Polycarbonate lenses are impact resistant and have built-in protection against UV rays, which is great for warm weather, outdoor sports. When choosing protection, look for eyewear that has met the standards of and was tested by the American Society of Testing and Materials.
 
Swimmers should consider wearing goggles to decrease irritation. USA Water Polo, which governs the sport, has specific guidelines for goggles to wear. Protective sports eyewear should be labeled as ASTM approved.
 
Keep in mind that regular eyeglasses or sunglasses do not protect the eyes. They are not impact resistant and can shatter if an object hits them. In other words, regular eyeglasses can do more harm than good when it comes to protecting eyes and vision during sporting activities.
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Getting Back in The Game 

If you or a family member sustains an eye injury while playing sports, it’s vital to recognize and evaluate the severity. In some instances, signs of an injury are obvious, and immediate medical attention is needed. A serious eye injury needs examination by an ophthalmologist, a medical eye doctor, to determine treatment needed and prevent complications, including vision loss.
 
If a serious eye injury occurs, you or your loved one should not return to play until the eye doctor feels it is safe. If in doubt about the severity of an injury, it’s best to have it checked out to make sure you or your loved one is okay to play.
 
Remember, even injuries you think are not serious can lead to eye problems, so it’s always best to err on the side of caution and get checked without delay.
 
If you have any concerns about sports-related eye injuries and how to prevent them, we are here to answer your questions you may have. Please call our office at 508-746-8600 to schedule an appointment or eye exam with one of our eye doctors. If you have an after-hours emergency, please call the same number to speak with our on-call doctor.
 
Thank you for reading. We hope you enjoy the warm weather and all of your sporting activities safely!