Which Kids Are Most Likely to Have Sports Eye Injuries?
Sports eye injuries are most likely to occur in kids playing basketball, baseball and participating in cycling according to a study published in JAMA Ophthalmology. Of the 30,000-annual emergency room visits for sports related eye injuries the majority happens to kids under the age of 18. Basketball and cycling were the two sports most likely to cause eye injuries, while 21 percent of baseball and softball injuries resulted in actual fractures of the bones around the eye, which often require surgery to repair. Research has shown that wearing sports appropriate protective eyewear can significantly reduce the incidence of sports-related eye injuries. We have witnessed that when appropriate eyewear is available-even if not mandatory-top-performing athletes frequently choose to wear it. Wear protective eyewear! The message is clear for sports participants, parents and sports program organizers.
If you or someone you know plays sports recreationally or competitively, take the time to select proper sports protective eyewear to avoid the risk of sports eye injury. Please call your local optometrist to schedule an appointment. If specialty care, treatment or surgery is required, please ask to be referred to one of the physicians at Eyecare Medical Group, 53 Sewall Street, Portland, Maine 04102 at 888-374-2020, or visit Eyecare Medical Group, Google+ or facebook.com/eyecaremedicalgroup.
