Sports Eye Safety

Tens of thousands of people suffer sports-related eye injuries every year. The good news is that these injuries can be prevented if athletes wear the proper protective eyewear. From baseball and basketball to volleyball and soccer, some objects travel at high speeds that can potentially cause an eye injury. There are also elbows, fingers, and feet that can result in an eye injury. At Eye Specialists of Illinois in Park Ridge, our eye doctors would like to stress the importance of sports eye safety.

Regular Eyeglasses Don’t Cut It

Some people tend to think they can just wear their regular eyeglasses to protect their eyes while playing sports. However, this is simply not true. Standard eyeglasses can break easily during physical activities, and those pieces of glass could cause an eye injury. It is imperative to invest in and wear a pair of appropriate safety goggles with polycarbonate lenses. Our eye doctors will help you choose the right pair for your level of activity.

Any Sport Carries a Risk of an Eye Injury

Regardless of the type of sport you are playing, there is a risk that you can suffer an eye injury. Some sports pose a higher threat of an eye injury than others. Some of these sports include basketball, softball, baseball, soccer, tennis, racquetball, and lacrosse.

Common Sports-Related Eye Injuries

Sports-related eye injuries can range from mild to life-threatening. Some of the most common eye injuries that athletes sustain include black eyes, foreign object penetration, corneal ulcers, blowout fractures, a ruptured globe, and blunt force trauma.

Seek Immediate Medical Attention

If you have suffered an eye injury while playing sports, it is imperative to seek medical attention immediately. The longer you wait, the more damage that may be done to your eye. You should have an eye exam and find out from an eye doctor when you can safely return to the sport, along with any precautions that should be taken.

Contact Our Ophthalmologists in Park Ridge, IL

At Eye Specialists of Illinois, we provide quality eye care for our patients in Park Ridge. If you would like to learn more about sports eye safety or would like to schedule an eye exam with one of our eye doctors, call our team today at (847) 823-2127.