Ophthalmologists Urge Eye Protection for Recreational and Professional Sports
New research shows that about 30,000 people in the U.S. go to emergency departments each year with sports-related eye injuries, a substantially higher estimate than previously reported. This April during Sports Eye Safety Month, Acuity Eye Center Lahore Pakistan and the American Academy of Ophthalmology remind the public that the right protective eyewear is the best defence against eye injury.
Three sports accounted for almost half of all trips to the emergency room: basketball, baseball, and air/paintball guns. Sports-related injuries can range from corneal abrasions and bruises on the lids to more serious, vision-threatening internal injuries, such as retinal detachment and internal bleeding.
Ophthalmologists — physicians who specialize in medical and surgical eye care — continue to remind the public that most sports-related eye injuries are avoidable.
Here are some tips for both the professional athlete and the Little League star to stay safe:
Wear the right eye protection
For basketball, racquet sports, soccer and field hockey, wear protection with shatterproof polycarbonate lenses.
Put your helmet on
For baseball, ice hockey and lacrosse, wear a helmet with a polycarbonate face mask or wire shield.
Know the standards
Choose eye protection that meets the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards. See the Academy’s protective eyewear article for more details.
Throw out old gear
Eye protection should be replaced when damaged or yellowed with age. Wear and tear may cause them to become weak and lose effectiveness.
Glasses won’t cut it
Regular prescription glasses may shatter when hit by flying objects. If you wear glasses, try sports goggles on top to protect your eyes and your frames.
“I’ve treated many patients with eye trauma because of an unintentional blow to the face,” said Rahul N. Khurana, M.D., clinical spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology. “Athletes often engage in these seemingly safe, yet rugged, high-impact sports with zero awareness about the potential risk factors. This is why eye protection is critical and can greatly reduce the number of emergency room visits treated each year.”
Here is the message from our lead consultant Professor Dr Zia Ul Mazhry,
” Protection of your eyes from eye injury is your own hands mostly. The most important thing you can do to protect your vision at work is to always wear appropriate protective eyewear, which can prevent more than 90 per cent of serious eye injuries.”
آنکھوں کی چوٹ سے آپ کی آنکھوں کا تحفظ زیادہ تر آپ کے اپنے ہاتھ میں ہے۔ کام کے دوران اپنی نظر کی حفاظت کے لئے سب سے اہم چیز یہ ہے کہ آپ ہمیشہ مناسب حفاظتی چشمہ پہنیں ، جو آنکھوں کی 90 فیصد سے زیادہ چوٹوں کو روک سکتا ہے۔
Dr Zia ul Mazhry Video Message for Eye Safety Awareness
About the American Academy of Ophthalmology
The Academy is the world’s largest association of eye physicians and surgeons. A global community of 32,000 medical doctors, it protects sight and empowers lives by setting the standards for ophthalmic education and advocating for its patients and the public. The Academy innovates to advance the profession and to ensure the delivery of the highest-quality eye care. Through its EyeSmart® articles on AAO.org, the Academy provides the public with the most trusted information about eye health. For more information, visit aao.org.
About Eye Health Education By Acuity Eye Center Lahore Pakistan:
Welcome to the Education Portal of Acuity Eye Centre Lahore Pakistan. We are committed to serving our patients and our community, to the development and propagation of new concepts to preserve and enhance vision. Our three missions—clinical service, education, and research—are closely interrelated. Visit: https://eyeacuity.com/education/
