At Space Center Eye Associates in Houston, we believe participating in sports is a fantastic way to stay fit and healthy. But it also comes with its risks, including the potential for eye injuries, which can be serious and, without proper assistance, sometimes lead to permanent vision loss. As the season kicks off, it's crucial to highlight the common eye injuries athletes suffer and provide essential tips for dealing with them to protect your long-term eye health and vision.
Common Eye Injuries in Sports
- Corneal Abrasions: This is when there is a scratch on the eye's surface, resulting from a finger poke, dirt, or dust, especially in sports like basketball or soccer. Symptoms include pain, a gritty feeling in the eye, sensitivity to light, and redness.
- Blunt Trauma: Impact from balls, elbows, or other players can cause a 'black eye' or more severe injuries like a broken bone around the eye. This can lead to bruising, swelling, and sometimes more serious internal injuries to the eye structures.
- Penetrating Injuries: These occur when an object pierces the eye and can happen in sports involving high-speed projectiles, like baseball, hockey, or cricket. These injuries are severe and can result in permanent vision loss if not dealt with promptly and properly.
- UV Radiation Injury: Sports involving sun exposure, especially water and snow sports, can lead to photokeratitis or 'welder's flash,' which is like a sunburn of the eye. Symptoms include red eyes, a foreign body sensation, extreme sensitivity to light, and excessive tearing.
What to Do If You Sustain an Eye Injury
- Corneal Abrasions:
- Do not rub your eye, as this can make the injury worse
- Rinse your eye with clean water or saline solution to remove dirt or particles
- Blink several times to see if tears will flush out small particles, or use an eyecup or small clean glass with its rim resting on the bone at the base of your eye socket
- Visit our eye care team if the pain continues, as you may need antibiotic drops to prevent infection
- Blunt Trauma:
- Apply a cold compress to reduce swelling and bruising, but do not put pressure on the eye
- Take over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen to manage pain
- Seek professional attention if you experience vision problems, persistent pain, or if the shape of your pupil changes
- Penetrating Injuries:
- Do not wash the eye or attempt to remove any object stuck in the eye
- Do not rub or apply pressure to the eye
- Cover the eye with a rigid shield like the bottom half of a paper cup and seek emergency medical attention immediately. Do not wait for symptoms such as eye pain or vision loss
- Overexposure to UV Radiation:
- Use artificial tears or lubricating eye drops to help with discomfort
- Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from further UV exposure
- Seek medical care if the symptoms persist, as treatment with eye drops or ointments may be necessary
Protect Your Eyes This Summer
Discuss injury prevention and treatment with our eye care team today. Remember, prevention is always better than cure. This summer, prioritize eye protection every time you step out onto the field or court. Wear appropriate protective gear, such as goggles or helmets with face shields, and follow the rules of the game to minimize the risk of eye injuries.