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Sport is dangerous. We may play it at school as youngsters and engage in activities as we grow older. Just because we all have some kind of sporting link at one time or another doesn't make it free from injury. A common misconception is that because it is on TV, injuries aren't all that real. Although the cause still remains a mystery, the terrible sight of football star Fabrice Muamba suffering a heart attack in front of a live audience of over 30,000 and millions of armchair fans still continues to haunt viewers and brings into public consciousness the fact that sport is definitely not free of injuries, small and minor, as well as even life threatening conditions. With this in mind it is easy to forget the humble eye. Sure we hear of broken legs, sprained ankles, and pulled muscles, but while many of these injuries are repairable, the eye can have a much longer lasting impact on a person should they receive damage to this area.
So, April is Sports Eye Safety Month in the United States and as such organisations are looking to increase the awareness of eye related injuries in sport as well as the possible repercussions of conditions caused by trauma during activities. The hope is that this increased awareness will not lead to people staying away from their local parks and clubs, but to promote the joy of sport to more people, while also making them aware of the precautions and protective wear they can take and utilise. After all, a good jog around the block, a cycle into town or kick about with friends at the weekend is all good for your overall health and fitness in the short and long term.
- An estimated 40,000 Americans injure their eyes during physical sport activity every single year
- It is estimated that 13,000 American youths or children make up this number of eye related injuries
- Injuries can include retinal detachments, bruising to the eye and surrounding tissues as well as internal bleeding
- Permanent vision loss is not uncommon due to unprotected sport activities
The good news from all this bad is that almost every single possible condition or injury can be prevented by ensuring that the correct eye wear is worn at all times during sports. The latest technologies in sporting goggles or eyewear use light weight, durable materials that don't hinder performance but ensure safety.
As food for thought, think of all the eye injuries that could occur from a simple football match. Off the top of my head I can name a ball in the face or an accidental elbow to the eye. Now think how a squash ball moving at 90 miles per hour could damage your eye should you be hit. A serious situation, but certainly not an uncommon one for ophthalmologists and eye specialists to see and deal with.