CHICAGO (Aug. 22, 2007) – Playing sports is an ideal way to stay in shape and remain active. However, a serious eye injury can sideline even the best athletes permanently. It is estimated that there are more than 600,000 sports related eye injuries in America every year. And, 40,000 of those require emergency room care.
Fortunately, 90 percent of all sports-related eye injuries can be prevented just by wearing the proper eye protection. Lenses should be made of polycarbonate and have an American Society of Testing Materials (ASTM) label, indicating they meet the standards of the ASTM for the specific sport.
In recent years, basketball was the number one cause of eye injuries. However, based on a recent study by the United States Eye Injury Registry, fishing has surpassed basketball in injuries. In fact, eye injuries from fishing make up approximately 9 percent of all sports eye injuries. And, 38 percent of fishing injuries involved hooks to the eye.
"Every 13 minutes, another emergency room treats a sports eye injury that could have easily been prevented," said Daniel D. Garrett, senior vice president of Prevent Blindness America. "Although eye injuries can occur at any age, it’s young people who are the most at risk, making up 66 percent of all injuries."
Besides fishing accidents, eye injuries from other sports are still common. Those who do not wear the proper eye protection can suffer serious damage. According to The Coalition to Prevent Sports Eye Injuries:
- Approximately 1 in 50 Little League baseball players will sustain an eye injury that requires attention.
- One in 20 NBA (National Basketball Association) injuries involve the eye.
- The leading cause of eye injury in adult women is from racket sports.
- The average football team will experience four eye injuries each season.
- More than 55 percent of all eye injuries from soccer occur in 6-14 year olds.
"Sports injuries pose a serous threat to vision yet few people take the necessary precautions to protect sight," added Garrett. "We encourage parents, schools and sports organizations to take leadership roles in promoting the use of safety eyewear."
There is no evidence that wearing eye protection hampers athletic performance.
Eye injuries can include painful corneal abrasions, blunt trauma and penetrating injuries. Severe injuries can result in vision loss and in some cases, blindness.
For more information on sports eye health and safety, please call Prevent Blindness America at 1-800-331-2020 or visit www.preventblindness.org/safety.
Download the Sports Safety Press Release.
Founded in 1908, Prevent Blindness America is the nation's leading volunteer eye health and safety organization dedicated to fighting blindness and saving sight. Focused on promoting a continuum of vision care, Prevent Blindness America touches the lives of millions of people each year through public and professional education, advocacy, certified vision screening and training, community and patient service programs and research. These services are made possible through the generous support of the American public. Together with a network of affiliates, divisions and chapters, it's committed to eliminating preventable blindness in America. For more information, or to make a contribution to the sight-saving fund, call 1-800-331-2020.
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