Playing sports — whether it’s competitive or recreational — is a great way to stay in shape and have fun. But unfortunately, sports can also sometimes lead to injuries.
When you think about injuries you might incur during a game, you may not think about your eyes. But more than 42,000 people a year in the U.S. end up in the emergency room due to a sports-related eye injury. And these injuries don’t discriminate — kids, adults, amateurs and pros are all at risk of eye injury while they play.
Sports with the highest risk of eye injuries
It makes sense that athletes in certain sports are more likely to injure their eyes than those in others. Swimmers, runners, gymnasts and those in other individual sports have some of the lowest levels of sports-related eye injuries.
Team play, contact sports and sports that involve balls, pucks, bats or sticks can — not surprisingly — significantly increase the risk of eye injuries. Flying objects, equipment and even the other players can pose a risk to your eye safety. Basketball is ranked #1 for eye injuries in athletes, with baseball and softball coming in a close second.
Pickleball is one of the fastest growing sports in the country, which means rates of injury in the sport are also on the rise. The fast play on the pickleball court can lead to injury from a ball hitting you in the eye. Those balls move quickly. The risk of injury is further increased by the way pickleball is played — typically, players stand closer to the net than they do in other racquet sports, making for an easier target.
Common types of sports eye injuries
Eye injuries in athletes can range from mild (such as a black eye) to major (such as a torn retina). In some cases, you could be back in the game before the final buzzer. But more serious eye injuries can result in permanent damage and even vision loss.
The types of eye injuries athletes commonly experience include:
- Blunt trauma: This is by far the most common type of eye injury. It happens when you get hit directly in the eye. The impact could be the result of a flying ball, puck, stick or another player’s body. Blunt trauma can cause a range of injuries — from a cut or a black eye to a fracture or damaged retina.
- Corneal abrasion: Flying dust or debris, or a scratch from another player’s fingernail, can damage your cornea. These injuries are usually superficial and can heal quickly without causing permanent damage.
- Orbital fracture: A blow to the eye can, if it’s hard enough, fracture one or more of the bones in the eye socket.
- Penetrating injuries: These are less common but can lead to serious damage and even vision loss. Penetrating injuries occur when you get poked in the eye — by another player’s finger or gear. Shattered eyeglasses or other sharp debris can also lead to a dangerous penetrating injury.
- Retinal detachment: Trauma to the eye can tear the retina away from the underlying tissues. If the retina fully detaches, you need emergency medical treatment. Without treatment, the condition can lead to permanent vision loss.
Sports eye safety tips
Eye injuries do not need to be part of the game. In fact, an estimated 90% of eye injuries during sports could be prevented with the right precautions. Protective eyewear is the number one way to prevent injuries. Regular eyeglasses and sunglasses are not considered protective. In fact, they can potentially shatter and make things worse.
Protective eyewear for sports needs to have lenses made of shatterproof polycarbonate plastic. Players in high-contact sports (such as football, lacrosse or hockey), as well as goalies in multiple sports, should wear helmets that include a face shield.
People who’ve had previous eye trauma or have had eye surgery (such as LASIK) need to be especially careful. Your eyes are more vulnerable to injury — and to serious issues, including vision loss.
With the right precautions, sports can be all about fun and fitness — instead of injuries.
