Sports eye injuries during play are more common than during practice. Athletes who sustain an injury should first be evaluated by the team physician. The doctor will determine if the injury is sufficient to keep the athlete from continuing to play. Athletes should NEVER use a topical anesthetic to reduce the pain to continue to play.

Sports eye injuries which cause a sudden decrease or loss of vision, pain with movement of the eye, pain with light, light flashes or floaters, pupil changes shape, halos around the eye, sudden loss of the red reflex, sensation of a foreign body or an embedded foreign body should be seen by an ophthalmologist immediately to reduce the possibility of long term effects of the injury.

Once the injury has been evaluated by an ophthalmologist he will determine when the athlete can return to play. The injured eye should be comfortable and adequate vision. The athlete should always wear eye protection to prevent a second injury during which he may not be as fortunate. Second injuries following fast on the heels of the first can cause more damage to the eye.

There are several tips about purchasing eye guards to protect against sports eye injuries that will help your eyes stay protected and will protect your wallet against undue expense from purchasing another product because the first was inadequate to do the job.

• If you wear prescription lenses head to the eye doctor and take his recommendation.
• If you have only one eye that sees well – again head to the eye doctor for the best advice and prescription lenses.
• Eye guards for those who don’t wear prescription lenses should be purchased at sports specialty stores.
• Buy eye guards that come with lenses.
• Be sure the lenses stay in place on impact or pop outward from the face.
• Check the packaging that the product has been tested for use in sports activities. The protector should also be made of polycarbonate material.
• There should be cushioning against the brow and bridge of the nose to prevent it from cutting your skin.
• Try them on to be sure you are getting the right size. Adjust the strap to be sure it isn’t too tight or loose.