Know the Score: Wearing Eye Protection Prevents Players from Getting Benched Due to Injury
Sports-related eye injuries cause an estimated 100,000 doctor visits each year . Yet, most of these injuries can be prevented by wearing eye protection. In fact, a recent study of high school field hockey players shows that traumatic eye injuries fell 67 percent after eye protection became mandatory.i In support of Sports Eye Safety Month in April, Friedberg Eye Associates and the American Academy of Ophthalmology are offering athletes of all ages guidance on how to best protect their eyes. Common sports eye injuries include corneal abrasions, lacerations and bleeding in the eye . Basketball players tend to get poked in the eye with fingers. Tennis and softball players more often get hit with fast moving balls. In contact sports like football and martial arts, more severe ocular injuries such as retinal detachment and orbital fracture occur. One-third of sports related eye injuries happen to kids . The good news is that 90 percent of eye injuries can be prevented with the use of pro