Most parents want to encourage their children to participate in sports and for good reason. Sports teach kids to be independent, more self-confident and help them stay physically active.
But did you know that over 100,000 people experience an eye-related injury from play sports every year? And studies have shown that these injuries predominantly affect children.
Your child doesn’t have to be part of those statistics, though. Here are five ways you can help protect your child from sports-related eye injuries:
Familiarize yourself with potential risks
Every sporting activity comes with its own unique risks. For instance, eye injuries are more common in basketball because there is so much jumping. Of course, there is no need to spend unnecessary time worrying. But familiarizing yourself with the common risks associated with each sport will help you better adhere to safety procedures.
Buy protective eyewear or face shields
Protective eyewear or a face shield is the best way to protect your child’s eyes during practice or a game. This is especially important for high contact sports like hockey or football.
Make sure their eyes are protected from the sun
Did you know that the sun’s UV rays can be incredibly harmful to your child’s eyes? If their practices or games require them to spend long periods of time outdoors, make sure they have sunglasses with UV protection and a hat.
Buy athletic eyewear
If your child wears glasses then you will want to invest in athletic eyewear. Athletic eyewear is more durable than regular glasses and less likely to break and injure your child during a game.
Work with your child’s eye doctor
The best way to make sure you are protecting your child’s eyes is by taking them to their yearly comprehensive eye exam. Your doctor will stay on top of your child’s vision needs and can advise you on how to keep them safe during sports season.
If your child hasn’t yet had their yearly comprehensive eye exam, now is the time to schedule it! Contact our office to schedule an appointment with one of our doctors.