April is Sports Eye Safety Month. This month can serve as a reminder for athletes and the parents of athletes to consider eye safety during physical activities.
Eye injuries are common in many sports, and the vast majority of injuries can be avoided by proper eye protection. Keep reading to learn four tips to follow during Sports Eye Safety Month!
1. Know The Dangers
All sports have some risk of eye injury, although some sports can be more dangerous than others. You may be surprised to learn which sports see the most eye injuries.
While contact sports like football can lead to head and eye injuries, basketball and soccer have higher rates of eye injuries. This is due primarily to the fact that basketball and soccer players traditionally don’t use any eye safety equipment.
Other sports with a high risk for eye injury include tennis and any sport that uses a racquet. Eye injuries from these sports can be debilitating, but they’re also preventable through eye protection.
2. Wear Eye Protection
Most people think of sports safety equipment in relation to contact sports like football. The American Academy of Ophthalmology and other health organizations recommend eye safety equipment for any sport that uses a projectile, like a basketball or a soccer ball.
For these sports, safety glasses can significantly reduce your risk for eye injury. It is essential to use recommended safety equipment for whatever sport you or your child participate in.
Also important to bear in mind, most sports clubs and school teams don’t require eye protection for sports like basketball. It’s best to do your research and make sure you protect your eyes.
3. Always Have First Aid On Hand
You should always have a first aid kit on hand whenever playing sports. Large sporting events often have a medical tent or ambulance on hand.
It is vital to know where these are located. Whatever the situation, you should always be prepared to treat injuries.
If you do not have the first aid equipment, it is important to make sure someone is around who has the knowledge and means to perform first aid. Eye injuries often warrant emergency medical care, but a first aid kit can help stabilize the injury while waiting for help.
It is best to familiarize yourself with basic first aid for eye injuries and ensure that the available kit or medical tent is adequately equipped.
4. Express the Importance of Eye Safety to Your Children
If you have children who play sports, you should also make sure they know the importance of good eye safety. They’re more likely to be safe if they understand the consequences of not wearing the proper safety equipment.
It’s also important to ensure that their coach or team manager prioritizes the safety of their players and emphasizes the use of eye protection. Being informed is always the first step in staying safe no matter what activity your child participates in.
Do you want to learn more about what you can do to protect your or your child’s eyes? Schedule an appointment at Shepherd Eye Center in Henderson, NV, today!
