From Troy Bedinghaus, O.D.,
Your Guide to Vision.
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About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by Kate Grossman, MD

Most parents wouldn't think that an innocent game of softball could lead their child to the emergency room, but sports and recreational activities cause more than 40,000 eye injuries each year, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology. In fact, baseball is the main cause of sports-related injuries in 5 to 14-year-olds. Children often lack depth perception and sometimes misjudge the speed or distance of a flying ball, a mistake that could cause a ball to hit the face. However, according to Prevent Blindness America, 90% of sports-related eye injuries can be prevented by using proper protective eyewear.

Types of Injuries

The most common types of eye trauma that can result from sports injuries are blunt injuries, corneal abrasions and penetrating injuries.

• Blunt injuries: Blunt injuries occur when the eye is suddenly compressed by impact from an object. Blunt injuries, often caused by tennis balls, racquets, fists or elbows, sometimes cause a black eye or hyphema (bleeding in the front of the eye.) More serious blunt injuries often cause broken bones around the eye, and may sometimes seriously damage important eye structures, which could lead to vision loss.
• Corneal abrasions: Corneal abrasions are painful scrapes on the outside of the eye, or the cornea. Most corneal abrasions eventually heal on their own, but your doctor may prescribe medication to help control the pain. The most common cause of a sports related corneal abrasion is a finger in the eye, a common event during basketball games.
• Penetrating injuries: Penetrating injuries are caused by a foreign object piercing the eye. Penetrating injuries are very serious, often resulting in severe damage to the eye. These injuries often occur when shattered glass from broken eyeglasses enters the eye. Penetrating injuries must be treated quickly in order to preserve vision.

Protective Eyewear

Sadly, many people believe that wearing regular eyeglasses during sports will protect the eyes. The truth is, however, just the opposite. The lenses of regular eyeglasses can shatter upon impact by a ball, which could lead to a penetrating injury. All sports goggles and glasses should be made with polycarbonate lenses. Polycarbonate lenses are much stronger than regular lenses.

Each sport has a certain type of recommended protective eyewear, determined by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). High-risk sports that require protective eyewear include basketball, baseball, hockey, football, lacrosse, fencing, paintball, water polo, racquetball, soccer and downhill skiing.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents must be proactive in protecting their children's eyes during sports activities. Many youth and children's teams don't require eye protection, so parents must insist that their children wear safety glasses or goggles whenever they play. Also, parents must remember to set a good example by wearing eye protection themselves.

_{Source: University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center, Eye Injuries. 28 Aug 2007.}