When it comes to eye safety, we tend to think of the most common ways we protect our eyes. For example, we use sunglasses to protect them from UV rays and we use safety goggles when running power tools like saws and drills. But the nature of sports can put us at risk for many different eye injuries. No matter what the activity, eye safety should always be considered, as our eyes are fragile and extremely important. April is Sports Eye Safety Month, and it’s a great time to look at the activities in your life, or perhaps in your child’s life, and whether or not your eyes are being protected properly. The American Academy of Ophthalmology suggests that most of the serious eye injuries that occur in sports are preventable if the proper eye safety protection is used. But what is the proper way to protect your eyes while playing sports?
Know Your Sport
One of the most important things to consider when looking after your eye safety during a sport is to make sure the protection you are using is the right kind. Some sports like baseball and football require more eye protection and full masks or helmets, while tennis and soccer may require a bit less. Many sports provide helmets and face masks with built in eye protection for the team, however if the sport does not provide eye gear, consider looking into eye guards or goggles.
Know the Rules
No harm, no foul, right? This may seem like a cliché statement but there is merit in those words when applied to the rules of the game. Many of the rules in the various sports we play are there for our physical protection, and this includes our eye safety. Not only does knowing and following the rules insure a smooth competitive game, but it can also help us protect our eyes.
Know Your Options
When it comes to the different eye safety equipment we can purchase, it can be confusing to know what the best option for your need is. You might not see many soccer or basketball players wearing protective eye guards or goggles, but that doesn’t mean they are not incredibly important to our eye safety. Eye guards come in many different styles and fits to make sure that your ability to play is never interfered with. There are plenty of options on the market that you can wear, depending on the sport you play, that will make sure your eyes stay safe.
If you have questions about what eye safety equipment is the most ideal fit for the sport you play, you can schedule an appointment with a Valley Eyecare Center doctor. Call us at 602-955-2700 or schedule your next appointment online.
