SATURDAY, April 19 (HealthDay News) -- To prevent injuries to
your eyes while playing sports, you need to go pro -- as in
protective eyewear, advises the American Optometric Association
(AOA).
With spring here and more people heading outside for fun and
exercise, the association noted that about 600,000 documented
sports-related injuries are reported annually in the United States.
Roughly 13,500 of these injuries result in permanent loss of
sight.
Even non-contact sports such as tennis, golf and fishing pose a
moderate to high risk of eye injury because of flying objects, such
as balls, racquets and hooks.
"Eye protection should be of major concern to all athletes,
especially in certain high-risk sports," Paul Berman, AOA
optometrist and sports vision specialist, said in a prepared
statement. "Thousands of children and adults unnecessarily suffer
sports-related eye injuries each year. Every thirteen minutes, an
emergency room in the United States treats a sports-related eye
injury, and nearly all could be prevented by using the proper
protective eyewear."
Everyday prescription eyewear or sunglasses probably won't do
the trick as most conventional frames and lenses fail to meet
minimal impact requirements for most sports, an AOA advisory
cautioned.
Sports-protective eyewear, however, is tested to meet rigid
standards, and some have been independently verified and received
the AOA Seal of Acceptance.
Going to an optometrist for an eye exam is the first step and a
crucial one for amateur athletes as well as professionals.
"Doctors of optometry work with their patients to provide
unique, advantaged eyewear solutions in order to protect vision and
improve performance in athletics," Berman said. "I encourage you to
visit your local optometrist to discuss options for vision
protection, correction and enhancement."
More information
The American Optometric Association has more about
sports
and vision.
