Every year in the United States, roughly 30,000 sports-related eye injuries are treated in emergency rooms — so many injuries, in fact, that April is now recognized as Sports Eye Safety Month. Perhaps the most amazing statistic is that of those 30,000 injuries, most could have been prevented with a few simple steps.
As a leading ophthalmology specialist experienced in state-of-the-art eye care, Rodrigo Belalcazar, MD, PLLC, is committed to helping patients at Advanced Eye Center in Hialeah, Florida, prevent injuries and enjoy healthy eyes and clear vision.
Here, learn some important steps you can take to protect your eyes while still enjoying the activities you love.
Wearing protective eyewear is one of the most effective ways to protect your eyes during sports or during any activity where your eyes may be at risk. While regular glasses and sunglasses could shatter on impact, sports eyewear features materials designed to provide optimal impact resistance and stay put no matter how active you get.
Different sports carry different risks, so choosing eyewear designed for your activity matters. For instance, baseball, basketball, racquet sports, and soccer all have sport-specific options that protect without limiting your visibility.
Our team is skilled in helping you select protective eyewear that’s effective, comfortable, and yes, even stylish.
Your skin isn’t the only organ susceptible to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. Those intense rays can damage your eyes, too. In addition to increasing your risk of serious conditions like cataracts and other vision issues, glaring sun can reduce visibility, increasing your risk of accidents and reducing the enjoyment of your sport.
When choosing sports eyewear, look for lenses that block 100% of UVA and UVB rays. Consider wraparound styles or curved lenses that provide additional protection by reducing the light entering from the sides of the frames.
Spring brings warmer temperatures, and combined with physical activity, that means sweat. Wearing a sweatband prevents perspiration from entering your eyes and blurring your vision.
It also keeps you from rubbing or wiping your eyes with dirty hands that could introduce germs or irritants, increasing your risk of corneal scratches and infections.
Washing your hands well before and after play can help, or use hand sanitizer if soap and water aren’t available. Keep your equipment clean, and consider artificial tears if the playing fields are unusually dusty.
Be on the lookout for eye allergy symptoms such as redness, itching, burning, or tearing that can benefit from an office visit and an allergy management plan.
Contact lenses can seem like a convenient option for active lifestyles, but they require extra care during sports and other physical activities. Wind, dust, pollen, and sweat can irritate your eyes and make your contacts uncomfortable.
In some cases, a displaced lens or dust trapped under a lens increases your risk of corneal injuries or infections. If you wear contacts, be sure to carry lubricating drops, your contact lens case and solution, and a backup pair of glasses for play and practice.
For high-impact sports, you should still wear protective eyewear in addition to your contact lenses for an added layer of protection.
If you have any signs of an eye injury or any unusual eye symptoms or vision changes, don’t delay care. Seemingly minor issues, such as blurry vision, light sensitivity, eye redness, or irritation, can be early signs of a more serious eye issue that needs prompt medical attention.
Early treatment is essential for preventing complications and protecting long-term vision. If an eye injury occurs or you develop symptoms of an injury, stop playing immediately and seek emergency care or call our office for further instructions.
Spring sports should be about having fun, not about eye injuries and vision problems. If sports are on your schedule this spring, we can help you take steps to prevent injuries, from comprehensive eye exams to helping you find the right type of protective eyewear.
To learn more, request an appointment with Dr. Belalcazar and our team at Advanced Eye Center today by calling 305-707-6011 or scheduling online.
