Eye Health for Athletes: Protecting Your Vision in Sports
Whether it’s a child’s recreational sport or a professional competition, packing a sports bag often consists of required clothing, appropriate shoes, necessary equipment, satisfying supplements for nutrition and hydration and protective gear such as helmets, shin guards, padding or gloves. Rarely is eyewear a consideration for the must-haves in safety gear.
Eye injuries routinely occur in adult recreational, college and pro sports leagues. Involvement in sports begins at increasingly younger ages and higher levels. The highest numbers overall for eye injuries are found among youth under the age of 18 years of age. While few sports require eye protection, including youth leagues, athletes are at a substantially elevated risk for eye injuries caused by high-velocity objects such as balls or physical contact sports with opponents.
Sports-related eye injuries account for 40,000 emergency room cases each year; 90% of those injuries are preventable if only protective eyewear was worn. The common expression “knowledge is power” is an effective prevention strategy when it comes to safeguarding eyesight during sports-related activities. Knowing whether your sport carries a high degree of injury risk to the eye is important. For example, basketball is the leading cause of sports-related eye injuries in the United States. Full-contact martial arts and boxing pose an extremely high risk of serious, even blinding eye injuries. Activities involving projectiles pose the greatest risk for temporary or permanent loss of eyesight. Investing in high-quality sports-specific eyewear is essential. Recently dubbed “rec specs,” sports goggles are becoming more mainstream as celebrity athletes are representing brands that support athletic-minded styles and performance. Whether it’s protective goggles for racquet sports, impact-resistant lenses for contact sports or polarized sunglasses for outdoor activities, the right eyewear can enhance performance and protect the eyes.
Athletes rely heavily on their visual abilities to excel in their respective sports. Whether it’s tracking a fast-moving ball, judging distances accurately or maintaining focus during intense competition, clear and precise vision is a game-changer. Poor vision can lead to decreased performance, increased risk of injury and hindered decision-making on the field. In addition to protective eyewear, reducing eye strain and fatigue, treating symptoms of dry eyes, shielding eyes from UV sun exposure, incorporating eye exercises, proper hydration and nutrition, adequate rest and recovery and regular eye exams are integral components of eye health for athletes and protecting your vision in sports.
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