Sports-Related Eye Injuries

Participating in sports and recreational activities provides many benefits, but sports can also expose the eyes to potential damage. Keeping your eyes healthy and protected from injury is vital for staying on the field or court instead of spending games on the sidelines. The optometrists at Epic Vision Eye Center across Missouri and Kansas want to educate you on common athletic eye injuries, warning signs requiring prompt treatment, and prevention guidelines to help safeguard your vision.

Frequent Sports Injuries

You can suffer eye injuries from sports in a multitude of ways. Some of the most frequent causes of sports injuries include getting hit by fast-moving balls or equipment, falls on playing surfaces, or collisions with other players. Other causes of eye injuries during sports include:

•             Blunt trauma leading to black eyes or corneal abrasions

•             Racquetball or tennis ball impacts that cause retinal tears or detachments

•             Fishhook injuries that penetrate the eye’s surface

•             Chemical splashes from pool water that irritate the eyes

•             UV damage from extended sun exposure

When to Seek Immediate Care

Severe eye pain, blurred vision, double vision, or loss of vision signals a medical emergency needing a quick diagnosis from an eye doctor. You should also contact your eye doctor if you suffer eye cuts or tears, have debris trapped in the eye, or cannot move your eye. Other signs of eye emergencies include extreme light sensitivity and eyes that become increasingly bloodshot.

Safeguarding Your Sight

The perfect eye protection paired with proper preparation helps minimize injury risks substantially. Some ways you can safeguard your eyes during sports include:

•             Wear protective sports goggles or helmets with polycarbonate shields

•             Insert wire shields behind hockey masks

•             Equip glasses with impact-resistant polycarbonate lenses

•             Apply hourly breaks during water sports to prevent chemical and UV damage

•             Sufficiently stretch before playing sports

Schedule an Appointment With Our Optometrist Today to Protect Your Vision

The eye doctors at Epic Vision Eyecare Center across Missouri and Kansas have specialized expertise in evaluating and treating eye injuries to limit permanent damage. Schedule an eye exam with our optometrist today to protect your eye and vision health while on the court or field. We have offices serving the communities of:

•             Baldwin City, KS

•             Bonner Springs, KS

•             Clay Center, KS

•             Dodge City, KS

•             Manhattan, KS

•             North Kansas City, MO

•             Parkville, MO

•             Smithville, MO

•             Washington, KS