Sports-related health issues are often associated with injuries such as sprained ankles or torn muscles. And while such athletic injuries are fairly common, sports can also prove harmful to your eyes.

Dealing Damage

Believe it or not, every year emergency rooms in the United States treat roughly 30,000 sports-related eye injuries. While this is certainly a significant number, the vast majority of these injuries could be prevented with the use of protective eyewear.

So which sport is the most damaging to the eyes? A 2018 study, published in the journal Pediatrics, came to a surprising conclusion – believe it or not, the sport that was responsible for the most eye injuries was basketball. Following basketball, the next highest ranked sports were baseball, softball, airsoft rifles, pellet guns, racquetball and hockey.

The Proper Protection

The equipment used to protect the eyes varies based on the sport. For example, eye guards can be useful for soccer players, as well as for athletes who play football. Plastic or polycarbonate face guards are often used by baseball players, while goggles can be worn by both basketball and tennis players.

Some tips regarding eye-protection for sports are shown below:

• Make sure to purchase eye guards at either a sports store or optical store.
• If possible, have someone who knows your eyesight fit the eye guards. It would also be useful if they also were familiar with your sport.
• Don’t wear lenses unless they are completely secure. Loose lenses can pop inward, possibly causing injury.
• Try to find eye protection that offers cushioning for both your nose and eyebrows; this will help prevent scratching on your face.