April is spring time and it is also a time for Sports Safety Month. Warmer weather is invigorating, which also acts as a catalyst for many people to take up sports activities.
However, statistics show a staggering 42,000 people who visit an eye specialist every year for injuries that are related to sports, as reported by the American Academy of Ophthalmology. A little miss can mean a serious wound that can have severe implications. This safety month keep your eyes protected and have some fun in the sun!
Are you a fan of hard-hitting sports?
If you are a racquetball/tennis person, you need more on the court than just enthusiasm. Your plain glasses will not make the cut while you are in the middle of some hard-hitting action. Always carry a set of eye gear and goggles to protect you from dust, dirt and the danger of being hit in the eye. If your sport needs you to wear eyeglasses then invest in a pair specific to the sport. These glasses have flexible frames and offer shatter-proof lenses to avoid any injury. Just strap them around your head and keep them from slipping off your face.
Do you have a vision condition?
So you don’t just need glasses for prevention, but also for your vision? If that is the case, you can go for a pair of contact lenses and always have a pair handy. Sometimes you may get injured in the eyes during action and lose a lens in the field. It is always safe to have a backup pair of contacts for this situation.
Have you considered LASIK?
You may be a professional or a recreational player, but if you have imperfect vision and you are above 18 years of age, LASIK is something you should give a sincere thought to. It will not only grant you freedom from eyeglasses but will also improve your peripheral vision. You can also rid yourself of dry eyes caused as a result of prolonged usage of contact lenses. This can be a problem as dry eye causes repeated blinking, which may rob you of some action while you are on the field. Houston LASIK & Eye is one of the best-known specialists in the Houston area that come with years of experience and specialization in vision correction.
Are you safe enough?
You may or may not have had laser eye surgery. There is nothing that beats being proactively safe while on the field. Sports are strife with dangers of injury and more so to the eye. Any hard impact by a ball or a player can affect the cornea. When the cornea flap is dislodged, it leads to visual impairment. While the LASIK surgery can cure the condition, prevention always precedes cure.
Eye safety should be your prime concern this sporting season. In case of an injury, rush to your nearest ophthalmologist immediately and seek medical attention to avoid any permanent damage.
Sources:
http://www.atlanta2020.com/blog2/6-quick-tips-eye-safety/
http://www.providenceeye.com/eye-and-vision-conditions/sports-eye-safety-month-eye-care-specialist-dr-zach-engle-lends-advice/
Houston LASIK & Eye leads in providing premium LASIK technologies to Houston, Sugar Land, and the surrounding region. The Center’s award-winning medical director introduced revolutionary technologies such as iLASIK to the region. This technology is used by NASA astronauts, Navy SEALS, and Air Force fighter pilots. At Houston LASIK & Eye, you can now receive the same treatment. For more information, please call (281) 240-0478 or visit us at www.houston-lasik.com.
About the Author
Amjad Khokhar, M.D. is Chief LASIK Surgeon at Houston LASIK & Eye. Add Dr. Khokhar on Google+ here.
