Sports Eye Safety Month

Did you know that some of the most common types of sports-related eye injuries are blunt trauma, like retina tears and detachment, infections (which can be contracted from water sports, particularly for individuals who wear contact lenses), corneal scratches and abrasions, and penetrating injuries? Because of how many kinds of sports-related eye injuries there are – as well as how severe they can be – Prevent Blindness, one of the nation’s leading, volunteer-based eye health and safety organizations, has designated this September as Sports Eye Safety Month.

Per the organization’s website, Prevent Blindness established Sports Eye Safety Month to educate the public on the risk of painful and potentially blinding eye injuries while playing sports without using proper eye protection. Keep reading to learn which types of eye protection are most effective at preventing sports-related eye injuries.

According to Prevent Blindness’ numbers, more than 43,300 individuals need treatment for their sports-related eye injuries annually. The organization also found that:

• Pool and water sports had the highest rate of eye injuries.
• Non-powder guns, darts, arrows, and slingshots had the second-highest rate of injuries.
• For teens 15-years-old and above, basketball had was linked to the highest rate of eye injuries.

In addition to Prevent Blindness’ findings, the American Academy of Ophthalmology, or AAO, found that sports-related eye injuries have been increasing alongside the popularity of pickleball. Pickleball is a sport that combines components of three different sports: badminton, tennis, and table tennis. The game involves 2-4 players at one time, a net, paddles, and a ball. The AAO reports that pickleball players face injury risks related to being struck by a ball and/or a paddle; in doubles games, the risks are even higher due to the players close proximity to the net and to one another.

Eyewear Recommendations

While many people may believe that wearing sunglasses, occupational safety glasses or prescription glasses provide enough protection when playing sports, that is incorrect. It is always best that athletes and parents or caregivers of children who participate in sports consult directly with an eyecare professional to determine what sort of eye protection is best. However, Prevent Blindness does have some useful recommendations on protective eyewear that you can refer to as well. See below:

• Athletes should wear eye guards, like goggles or face guards.
• When purchasing eye guards with lenses, ensure that the lenses either stay in place or pop outward in the event of an accident. Lenses that pop in against the eye can be very dangerous.
• Each sport has a specific ASTM (American Society for Testing Materials) standard, so make sure you check the package and/or protector you purchase to ensure the appropriate ASTM standard designation for the sport is on the product. Do not buy the product if there is no ASTM code provided.
• Polycarbonate eye guards are the most resistant to impact. Polycarbonate lenses are also lighter, thinner, shatterproof, and provide protection from ultraviolet (UV) rays. When being used for sports, polycarbonate lenses must be used with protectors that meet or exceed ASTM requirements.
• Use batting helmets with polycarbonate face shields for youth baseball.
• Use helmets and face shields approved by the U.S. Amateur Hockey Association when playing hockey.
• Look for eye guards that are certified by an authorized certification organization, such as the Safety Equipment Institute (SEI), or independently tested by an accredited laboratory that provides independent, verified evidence of performance and protection. Do not purchase products that are labeled as “ASTM Certified” as the ASTM does not certify products in such a manner.

Did You Sustain an Eye Injury?

When it comes to sports-related eye injuries, everyone should take precautions in order to avoid sustaining a preventable and serious injury. But data shows that kids and teens are particularly vulnerable; in fact, sports-related eye injuries are the leading cause of blindness in children between the ages of 11 and 14 years old. If you or your child sustained a sports-related eye injury and you have questions about filing a legal claim for damages, someone at our firm can help. If you would like to learn more, contact a representative online now. If you would like to learn more about sports-related eye injuries, visit https://preventblindness.org/sports-eye-safety/.

Philadelphia Personal Injury Attorneys at Galfand Berger, LLP, Representing Injured Victims Since 1947

Contact the Philadelphia personal injury attorneys at Galfand Berger LLP today. Call us at 800-222-USWA (8792) or fill out our online form for a free consultation. Located in Philadelphia, Bethlehem, Lancaster, and Reading, we serve clients throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania, including Allentown and Harrisburg.