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Sports and Your Eyes

Sports and your eyes
 
 

Gear up!

If you play sports, you know they can be a lot of fun. The last thing you want to do is miss a game, especially if it’s because you’re hurt. That’s why you should always follow the rules and wear the right safety gear.

Think about your favorite sport. Do you wear anything to protect your eyes, like goggles or a face mask? You might think you don’t need protective eyewear, but sports-related eye injuries are serious. Eye injuries are a leading cause of blindness among children in the United States. The good news is that most eye injuries can be prevented with the right protective eyewear.

Check out the list below to see examples of some sports that may put you at high risk for eye injuries.

High Risk

 
 

Baseball

Basketball

Water Sports

Boxing

Hockey

Paintball

Racquetball

Softball

Squash

Fencing

Lacrosse

Wrestling

Moderate Risk

 
 

Football

Golf

Badminton

Soccer

Tennis

Fishing

Low Risk

 
 

Bicycling

Gymnastics

Track and Field

Diving

Swimming

Skiing

 
 

Protective Eyewear Fast Facts

  • Everyone should wear protective eyewear.
  • Ordinary prescription glasses, contact lenses, and sunglasses won’t protect you from injuries. Most protective eyewear can be made to match your prescription.
  • For the best protection, use eyewear made of ultra-strong polycarbonate.
  • Choose eyewear specifically made for your sport and make sure it fits comfortably on your face.

Check out our Protective Eyewear page and talk to an adult to find out what gear you need. Then wear the gear whenever you’re practicing or playing.

Ask a Scientist: Underwater Eyes

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Dr. Michael Steinmetz explains why salt water stings our eyes, why it does not sting whales' eyes, and whether opening our eyes in a pool is harmful.

Last updated: June 10, 2022