Eye on Health American Academy of Ophthalmology Urges Athletes To Wear Protective Eyewear “When they do, the occurrence of eye injuries is greatly reduced,” Dr. Monicasaid. “Parents also can set a good example by wearing eye protection when playing sports, and work to help pass local ordinances requiring children to wear (NAPSA)—From Major League Baseball stadiums to small-town basketball courts, athletic competition builds physical fitness, entertains millions and teaches the values of hard work and teamwork. But for more than protective eyewear when engaging 40,000 athletes each = year, these lessons can be marred by an errant finger or misjudged catch. That’s the number of sports-related eye _M.Bowes injuries that occur annually in the United States. Approximately one-third of the victimsare children. April is Sports Eye Safety Month, and Eye M.D.s at the American Academy of Ophthalmology urge athletes to wear appropriate, sport-specific, protective eyewear properly fitted by an eye care professional. “Athletes need to choose to use protective eyewear because eye injuries can be devastating,” said Monica L. Monica, M.D., Ph.D., MHA, clinical correspondent for the Academy. “Eye injuries are one of the leading causes of visual impairment in children. The injuries range from abrasions of the cornea and bruises of the lids to internal eye injuries, such as retinal detachments and internal bleeding. Unfortunately, some of these young athletes end up with permanent vision loss and blindness.” Manysports create risk for eye Athletes should guard their vision with properly fitted eye protection. as racquetball, soccer and downhill skiing. “Athletes can select from various types of lightweight and sturdy protective eyewear,” said M. Bowes Hamill, M.D., associate professor of ophthalmology at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston andclinical correspondent for the Academy. “Eyewear properly fitted and worn does not hinder performance in any way, and can pre- vent most sports eye injuries.” Protective eyewear lenses should be made of polycarbonate, which can withstand impact from a ball or other projectile traveling at 90 miles per hour, Dr. Hamill in sports.” Accidents Happen Sometimes even the most conscientious athletes can injure their eyes. Dr. Hamill said it is imperative to seek medical help immediately in case of injury. “Injuries such as cuts or foreign bodies stuck in the eye are emergencies,” he said. “Don’t try to treat these injuries yourself; contact your Eye M.D. or go to the emergency room for help immediately.” Even a seemingly light blow can cause a seriouseye injury. Ifa black eye, pain or visual problem occurs after a blow, contact your Eye M.D. or seek emergency medical help immediately. “With just a little care and common sense, you can go a long way toward protecting your precious gift of sight,” said Dr. Hamill. About the American Academy of Ophthalmology The American Academy of Ophthalmology is the world’s largest association of eye physicians and surgeons—Eye M.D.s—with more available for many activities, glasses are inadequate to protect against any type of eye injury.” Most sporting leagues don’t require children to wear eye pro- than 27,000 members worldwide. Eye health care is provided by the three “O’s”—opticians, optometrists and ophthalmologists. It is the ophthalmologist, or Eye M.D., who can treat it all—eye diseases and injuries—and perform eye hockey, football, lacrosse, fencing, paintball and water polo, as well that their children wear eye protection whentheyplay. nearby, visit the Academy’s Web site at www.aao.org. injuries; however, protection is including basketball, baseball, said. “Contact lenses offer no protec- tion,” he said, “and street wear tection, so parents must insist surgery. To find an Eye M.D.
