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Water activities leading cause of eye injuries from sports
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More eye injuries occur from water- and pool-related activities than any other sport, according to a recent study from Prevent Blindness.
Basketball is the next leading activity, followed by use of guns, darts, arrows, slingshots and baseball.
Eye injuries from water and pool activities include infections, irritations or scratches. The risk for Acanthamoeba keratitis is also a concern among people who wear their contacts in the water.
“Most eye injuries from sports can be prevented with the proper eye protection,” Hugh R. Parry, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness, said in a press release from the group. “An eye accident only takes an instant to impact your vision for a lifetime. We encourage everyone to speak with an eye care professional on the best eye protection options for any sport.”
Prevent Blindness recommends education for parents and nurses to ensure the proper eye protection is in place during sports. They also suggest that parents and coaches be informed of the warning signs of eye injuries, so they know when to seek treatment.
September is Sports Eye Injury Prevention Awareness Month, and Prevent Blindness is offering educational kits to help eye care professionals educate consumers.