Do you love playing sports? If so, do you love your eyes enough to protect them? You wear helmets, pads, braces, and other gear to prevent injuries to your body. But your eyes are also at risk when you play sports. They can get hit, scratched, or sunburned by balls, bats, racquets, players, or the environment. 

Eye injuries can be severe and make you lose your vision. But you can avoid most of them by wearing the proper protective eyewear. Here are some tips for all athletes.

 

 

Choose the Right Type of Protective Eyewear

It would be best if you had the proper eyewear for sports. Regular sunglasses and eyeglasses are not enough and may worsen an injury. It would help if you had eyewear made for your sport.

The best protective eyewear for sports is polycarbonate, a shatterproof plastic that can handle high impact. It should also have UV protection. Some sports need extra features, like a face mask or a wire shield.

Different sports have different eye injury risks.

Here are some examples of what eyewear you should wear:

• Baseball: A face guard, eye guards, and goggles.

• Soccer: Eye guards.

• Football: Eye guards and a face guard.

• Basketball: Goggles.

• Hockey: A polycarbonate or wire mask.

• Tennis or racquetball: Goggles.

• Snow or water sports: Sunglasses or goggles with UV protection.

Get Fitted by a Professional

Ensure your protective eyewear fits snugly and comfortably over your eyes. It should not slide off or interfere with your vision. It should also match your eyesight and prescription if you wear contacts or glasses.

For the best fit and protection, buy your protective eyewear at an optical or sports store, and let an eye care professional fit them. Check your eyewear regularly for damage or wear and tear, and replace them as needed.

 

Follow the Rules and Guidelines of Your Sport

Protective eyewear alone cannot prevent eye injuries. You should play safely and fairly, following the rules and guidelines of your sport. Avoid contact with other players or objects that could hurt your eyes. Respect the referees and officials who enforce the rules and regulations. Also, listen to your coaches and trainers who teach you the proper techniques and skills.

 

Have a Backup Plan

Accidents can still happen despite wearing protective eyewear and following rules. It would help to have a backup plan for eye injuries. You should have backup glasses and an eye emergency kit.

It should include the following: 

• Saline solution or eyewash. 

• Clean cloth or tissue. 

• Cold compress. 

• Eye shield or cup. 

Go to the emergency room immediately for any eye injury. Delaying can cause vision loss or blindness.

 

Know Your Risks and Limitations

Some people may have higher risks or limitations for playing sports with contact lenses. For example, do you have vision loss in one eye? If so, consider the risk of hurting your other eye before engaging in a high-risk activity. 

Check with your eye doctor for the best protective eyewear. Wear protective eyewear over your contacts or glasses when playing sports. Avoid wearing contacts if you have red eyes, irritation, pain, discharge, or infection signs, and see your eye doctor as soon as possible if you have these symptoms.

 

Conclusion

Sports are a great way to challenge yourself, keep fit, and have fun. But you can also hurt your eyes if you are not careful. Follow these tips to protect your eyes and keep playing your favorite sports.

For more on eye safety, visit Today’s Vision in Laguna Niguel, California. Call (949) 518-0055 to schedule an appointment today.