Sports Eye Safety
As an athlete, you know that your vision is integral to your performance. Sports vision injuries impact your ability to meet or exceed your performance goals. At Eye Doctors of Arizona, our optometrist is committed to enhancing and preserving the sports vision of Phoenix, AZ, residents. One way we do this is by encouraging sports eye safety.
Sports Eye Safety Precautions
Whether you’re a professional athlete, a weekend athlete, or a backyard sports enthusiast, you must take the following sports eye safety precautions whenever you engage in sports:
- Always wear sports vision goggles when appropriate. Examples of sports where goggles should be worn include swimming, baseball, softball, hockey, basketball, skiing, and others.
- Refrain from wearing standard prescription eyeglasses when playing sports. If there is an impact, there is a risk that the glass or plastic will shatter and the shards will enter your eye.
- See your optometrist immediately if your eye is injured. Sometimes the severity of an eye injury is not immediately apparent. Visit your optometrist just in case.
- Protect your eyes from UV rays. The sun can cause significant damage, particularly in snowy terrain when the rays are reflected off the snow.
- Avoid direct contact with chlorine. There’s a reason why professional swimmers wear goggles. Chronic and prolonged exposure to chlorinated water can damage the eyes.
- Don’t mix amateur play with professional play. Professional players know what spaces to avoid when playing sports with swinging equipment like hockey sticks and bats. An amateur player (such as your youngster who is just starting) may inadvertently be in the wrong place and get hit in the eye. Ensure that newer players have adequate coaching before interacting in sports with faster and more experienced players.
Contact Eye Doctors of Arizona in Phoenix, AZ
Our sports vision specialists in Phoenix, AZ, are ready to help with any sports vision problems you may have. For more information on sports eye safety or to book an appointment with our optometrist, call us or request an appointment online.