An Important Message About The Need For Protective Sports ...

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Baseball, Basketball and Racquet Sports Most Common Culprits, According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology

SAN FRANCISCO, CA?(Marketwire ? Mar 29, 2012) ? Playing sports is good for your health, but for too many athletes, a game also can lead to a health disaster when an eye injury damages their vision. Every year, more than 40,000 Americans injure their eyes during sports and recreational activities such as baseball, basketball and tennis. Unfortunately, approximately one-third of those eye-injury victims are school-aged children.ⁱ

April is Sports Eye Safety Month, and the American Academy of Ophthalmology, through itsEyeSmart? program, reminds the public that the only way to prevent a sports-related eye injury is for athletes to wear appropriate, sport-specific?protective eyewear?properly fitted by an eye care professional.ⁱⁱ

Sports-related eye injuries range from abrasions of the cornea and bruises of the lids to internal eye injuries, such as retinal detachments and internal bleeding. The good news is, almost all?sports-related eye injuries can be prevented?using appropriate protective eye wear.ⁱⁱⁱ

?As an ophthalmologist, I strongly encourage all athletes to use the appropriate protective eyewear for their sports because eye injuries can be devastating,? said Aaron Weingeist, M.D., a clinical correspondent for the American Academy of Ophthalmology. ?In fact, some athletes suffer permanent vision loss and blindness from sports-related injuries.?

Lenses made from polycarbonate materials provide the highest level of protection; they can withstand the impact of a ball or other projectile traveling at 90 miles per hour. Proper eye protection is widely available for a variety of sports including hockey, football, lacrosse, and water polo, as well as racquetball, soccer and downhill skiing. Always choose eye protection that has been tested to meet the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards.

?Unfortunately, most youth sporting leagues don?t require children to wear eye protection^iv,? said Dr. Weingeist. ?That?s why we?re trying to raise awareness, and arming parents and athletes with the information they need to take care of their eyes during sports.?

Even a seemingly light blow can cause a serious eye injury. If a black eye, pain or visual problem occurs after a blow, contact an ophthalmologist (Eye M.D.) or seek emergency medical help immediately.

Sources
ⁱ?National Association for Sports and Physical Education.?Eye Safety at a Glance: Protecting Your Child?s Vision in Sports.?Accessed from:http://www.aahperd.org/naspe/publications/teachingTools/upload/Eye-Safety-At-a-Glance-Protecting-Your-Child-s-Vision-in-Sports.pdf
ⁱⁱ?American Academy of Ophthalmology.?Eye Health in Sports and Recreation.?Accessed from:http://www.geteyesmart.org/eyesmart/living/sports.cfm
ⁱⁱⁱ?National Eye Institute.?About Sports Eye Injury and Protective Eyewear.?Accessed from:http://www.nei.nih.gov/sports/
^iv?National Association for Sports and Physical Education.?Eye Safety at a Glance: Protecting Your Child?s Vision in Sports.?Accessed from:http://www.aahperd.org/naspe/publications/teachingTools/upload/Eye-Safety-At-a-Glance-Protecting-Your-Child-s-Vision-in-Sports.pdf

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