Protect Their Eyes, Keep Them in the Game: Sports Eye Safety

Fall sports are back! From football and soccer to volleyball, basketball, and everything in between, kids and teens are heading back onto fields, courts, and into gyms.
September is Sports Eye Safety Month, making it a great time to talk about something that can sometimes get overlooked when we’re gathering helmets, pads, uniforms, and other equipment: protecting your athlete’s eyes.

Eye Injuries Can Happen in Almost Any Sport

When we think about sports injuries, sprained ankles, bruises, and broken bones probably come to mind first. But the eyes can be vulnerable during athletic activities, too.

Balls, fingers, elbows, equipment, and even other players can cause an unexpected eye injury. And it isn’t only high-contact sports where protection matters. Eye injuries can happen during a wide variety of recreational and competitive activities.

The good news? Many sports-related eye injuries can be prevented with the right protection.

Regular Glasses Aren’t Protective Eyewear

If your child normally wears glasses, it’s important to remember that everyday prescription frames are not designed to protect the eyes during sports.

Depending on the activity, properly fitted sports goggles or other protective eyewear made with impact-resistant lenses can provide protection while still giving your athlete the clear vision they need to perform.

Prescription options are available, too, so children who need vision correction don't have to choose between seeing clearly and protecting their eyes.

Clear Vision Is Part of Athletic Performance

Eye safety is important, but so is making sure your athlete is seeing their best in the first place.
Sports require our visual system to do a lot of work. Athletes need to track moving objects, judge distance and depth, react quickly, and stay aware of what’s happening around them.

An undetected vision problem can make those tasks more difficult. Because children don't always recognize or communicate that their vision has changed, regular comprehensive eye exams are an important part of keeping their vision, and their eyes, ready for the activities they love.

What Should You Do If an Eye Injury Happens?

Even with precautions, accidents can happen.

If your child experiences an injury to the eye, sudden changes in vision, significant eye pain, bleeding, unusual pupil appearance, flashes or floaters, or another concerning symptom following an impact, seek prompt professional care.

Avoid rubbing or putting pressure on an injured eye, and don't attempt to remove an object that appears embedded in the eye.

When you're unsure how serious an eye injury may be, it's always better to have it evaluated.

Protect Their Vision for the Seasons Ahead

Sports are about confidence, teamwork, movement, and having fun. Taking a few simple steps to protect your child's eyes can help keep them focused on the game instead of an avoidable injury.

This Sports Eye Safety Month, take a moment to check your athlete's gear, and don't forget their eyes.

Need help finding the right sports eyewear or making sure your athlete is seeing their best? Contact Advanced Optometry to schedule an eye exam or learn more about protective eyewear options.