Protection can prevent eye injuries

Eye injuries can include corneal abrasions, blunt trauma and penetrating injuries, inflamed iris, fracture of the eye socket, swollen or detached retinas, traumatic cataract and blood spilling into the eye's anterior chamber. Some eye injuries may be serious enough to cause permanent vision loss.
Wearing the proper eye protection can prevent most eye injuries.  Prevent Blindness America provides the following tips on how to purchase the right kind of eye protection for all athletes:
•    If you wear prescription glasses, ask your eye doctor to fit you for prescription eye protection.

•    Check the packaging to see if the eye protector you select has been tested for sports use. Also check to see that the eye protector is made of polycarbonate material. Polycarbonate eye protectors are the most impact resistant.

•    In order to be assured that your eyes are protected, it is important that any eye guard or sports protective eyewear be labeled as ASTM F803 approved. This eyewear is performance tested to give you the highest levels of protection.

•    Fogging of the lenses can be a problem when you're active. Some eye protectors are available with anti-fog coating. Others have side vents for additional ventilation. Try on different types to determine which is most comfortable for you.
•    Sports eye protectors should be padded or cushioned along the brow and bridge of the nose. Padding will prevent the eye protectors from cutting your skin.

•    Try on the eye protector to determine if it's the right size. Adjust the strap and make sure it's not too tight or too loose. If you purchased your eye protectors at an optical store, an optical representative can help you adjust the eye protector for a comfortable fit.
“An eye injury can happen in a split-second, but the effects can last a lifetime,” said Hugh R. Parry, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness America.  “We want to advise all those playing any sport anywhere to make sure that eye protection is always part of the uniform.”

To know more about eye injuries read the full article published on preventblindness.org.

Our eyes are very delicate organs, and we should plan routine eye exams whether or not we notice any problems.

Some other reasons for having eyes examined annually are:
1.    Myopia: short-sightedness, or the inability to see things at a distance
2.    Hyperopia: far-sightedness, or the inability to see things at close distances
3.    Eyeglass prescription changes occur every 1 to 2 years
4.    Presbyopia: the inability to see things at near after the age of 40 years
5.    Contact lens wearers are at greater risk of eye infections and corneal ulcers
6.    It is important that your vision meets certain legal standards for driving and certain occupations.

By getting your eyes checked regularly, you’ll be able to keep them healthy your whole life. Neglect can be costly!

Click here to schedule an eye exam at any 20/20 Eyeglass Superstore.