Back to School: Preventing Eye Injuries

There’s nothing quite like the feeling of signing your child up for their first organized sport. The freshly cut grass, the oversized jerseys, the scraped knees — all joys reminiscent of your own childhood. The game may be the same but the standards have changed, and it’s more important than ever to put safety first.

Most Common Eye Injuries

Sports-related eye injuries occur in all age groups, from T-ball to the Major League. Each year, an estimated 100,000 people are hurt by sports-related eye injuries. About 13,500 of these injuries result in permanent vision loss. There are three common types of sports eye injuries:

Blunt Injuries

A blunt injury occurs when the eye is suddenly compressed by impact from an object such as a bat or ball. Blunt injuries can lead to a common black eye or a more serious injury such as broken bones or vision loss.

Corneal Abrasions

A corneal abrasion is a painful scrape on the outside of the eye or the cornea. While some corneal abrasions heal on their own, it’s necessary to have the wound assessed by a doctor.

Penetrating Injuries

A penetrating injury is caused by a foreign object piercing the eye, such as eyeglasses. These injuries are very serious and typically require emergency medical attention.

How to Prevent Eye Injuries

Approximately 90% of sports-related eye injuries can be prevented with simple precautions, such as using protective eyewear. Each sport has specific protective wear recommended for children and adults. For example in baseball, a helmet with a polycarbonate face mask or wire shield should be worn while at bat. If your child plays ice hockey, he or she needs a face mask approved by the Hockey Equipment Certification Council. The best way to protect your child from an eye injury is to research the best protective equipment for his/her specific sport.

CALL THE CATONSVILLE EYE GROUP TODAY!

Here at the Catonsville Eye Group, providing the best patient care is our #1 priority. The professionalism of our doctors coupled with our capable and caring staff, state of the art technology, and extensive frame and lens options are what have made Catonsville Eye Group the first choice for families in our community. We strive to provide the best possible professional care at fair and reasonable prices to our patients in the most courteous way possible!

If you would like to schedule an appointment, order contact lenses, or ask questions about our services at Catonsville Eye Group, please call our office at (410) 747-1221 or email us by clicking this link. We will respond to your request within 24 hours.

We’re located at the heart of the Music City at 611 Frederick Rd., Suite 101. Drop on by, or schedule an appointment today. We’re looking forward to seeing you!