Active Eyes Need Active Protection

Posted May 14, 2008 at 10:00 AM by Kathleen Blanchard

Section: Her Health, Injury & Rehab

Warm weather allows us to enjoy increased sports and other outdoor activities. Many of these activities can lead to eye injuries. Examples include softball, baseball, and water polo. Annual eye injuries occur primarily in those under age thirty, but anyone is at risk. From 1992 to 2001, the estimate of annual eye injuries in the United States was two million, and more than forty thousand of those resulted in permanent visual impairment.

It’s important to think about eye safety when you’re in the garden, mowing the lawn, and even trimming the hedges.  Enthusiastic outdoor activity of any type can set us up for eye injuries. Abrasions to the cornea are the most common eye injury, and probably get the least attention. Abrasions can occur from a foreign body, such as debris under a contact lens, attacks from tree branches, or even from an enthusiastic doggy paw, in addition to just about all sports. Accidentally placing eye drops in the eye can also cause abrasions. There are reports of the milky substance from cactus pruning causing of corneal abrasion. Unfortunately, many people don’t seek treatment, even though an eye abrasion can lead to pain and even visual loss from scarring or infection. Symptoms include sensitivity to light, a gritty feeling, excessive tearing, and pain.

Blunt or penetrating objects can cause permanent loss of vision.  BB and pellet guns and woodworking make men more susceptible. The globe of the eye can rupture, causing a medical emergency, perhaps producing hemorrhage in the back of the eye. Most injuries from direct blows to the eyelid or eye happen in adults younger than 40 years of age.

Partial lacerations of the cornea are not as serious as full lacerations (causing rupture of the eye globe), but also require professional treatment to prevent infection and vision loss. Burns, chemicals and exposure to ultraviolet rays can all cause serious eye damage.

It’s important to consider protective eye wear anytime you think you may be at risk for an eye injury. Too many people don’t think it’s necessary to use eye wear when engaging in various sports, or even when mowing the lawn. Consider the number of eye injuries that happen around July 4th alone, from the use of fireworks. How many of you wear protective eye wear when the festivities begin?

Your first defense is awareness. Do all you can to keep your vision safe.  If you suffer even a minor eye irritation, see your doctor as soon as possible. Know that even the most benign injury can lead to complications, and it’s best to get an evaluation.

Young adults are the most affected by eye injuries of all types. Wear UV protection, and never look at the sun or an eclipse without eye gear. Remember that even the minor injury can turn catastrophic.  Seek treatment from an Ophthalmologist. Invest in protective eye gear. Today’s market offers a variety of stylish and cost effective eye -wear that everyone should keep on hand.

For a complete list of sports protectors, and more on eye safety, please visit The Vision Learning Center from Prevent Blindness America. Protect your eyes by learning your risks; treat them with care: Remember, “The eye is the jewel of the body.”-Henry David Thoreau.

Visit Kathleen’s blog for more health news and information.