Source: National Eye Institute
With spring finally here, many of us are eager to get outside and enjoy the beautiful weather. For a lot of folks, this means participating in sports and other outdoor hobbies or chores. While these activities can be fun and healthy, they can also be risky, especially for eye injuries.
The National Eye Institute and Prevent Blindness report that sports-related eye injuries account for over 100,000 emergency room visits every year — and nine out of ten of those injuries could be prevented by simply wearing eye protection! These can range from minor scratches and bruises to more serious trauma, such as detached retinas and permanent vision loss.
The biggest culprits for sports-related injuries are from baseball, basketball, and racquet sports. The smartest thing a player can do? Wear protective eyewear to help reduce the risk of injury. And the best part? We’ve got you covered at All About Eyes with a nice selection of protective eyewear available at our shop that meets the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology also stresses the importance of eye protection—not just for playing sports—but during other outdoor spring activities like yard cleanups, gardening, and taking part in hobbies like paint balling. These can put you at risk of eye injuries from flying debris, chemicals, or even sunlight.
To reduce the risk of eye injuries during any outdoor activity, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Wear protective eyewear that meets ASTM standards.
- Make sure your eyewear fits properly and doesn’t obstruct your vision.
- Avoid wearing glasses or sunglasses that aren’t designed for sports or other high-impact activities.
- Be aware of your surroundings and the potential hazards in your environment.
- If you experience an eye injury, seek medical attention immediately.