April is Sports Eye Safety Month 🏀
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, an estimated 100,000 people suffer sports-related eye injuries each year. About 13,500 of these injuries result in permanent vision loss. Eye injuries can happen in almost any sport, but some sports do pose a higher risk than others.
The sports with the highest rates of eye injury are:
Basketball
Baseball/softball
Ice hockey
Racquet sports
Fencing, lacrosse, paintball and boxing
And the most common eye injuries associated with sports are:
Blunt trauma, occurring from something hitting you in the eye
Penetrating injuries, when something cuts your eye
Radiation injury from exposure to too much sunlight
Fortunately, the vast majority of these injuries are easily preventable with protective eyewear! When it comes to picking a good pair of protective glasses, polycarbonate lenses are the go to. It is important to have a pair of eyewear that is designated for events such as sports, because regular glasses do not offer proper protection. In some cases, regular glasses can even make an injury worse if they shatter during the accident.
Polycarbonate lenses are made of impact-resistant material, so they are less likely to crack, chip, or shatter if they’re hit - keeping your eyes safe. They also typically include UV protection, and can have other beneficial add-ons such as anti-reflective coating or scratch resistance.
Polycarbonate lenses are thin and lightweight, so they will remain comfortable while you play. These lenses can protect you whether you need to wear goggles, face shields, or eyeglasses.
Protective eyewear is also important for outdoor sports, such as skiing or water sports. Polycarbonate lenses are an option, and there are also polarized lenses that help filter out glare so you can see more easily and not be hindered during your activities. Water, snow, and roads reflect light more readily and result in more glare making polarized lenses a benefit on those surfaces. Polarization can also be added to tinted sun lenses to protect from the sun’s rays as well!
Let us know at your next appointment if you or your family play sports. We’d love to discuss your needs with you and find a pair of protective eyewear that works for you!