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Yorba Linda Optometry & Beyond

17451 Bastanchury Rd Suite 104 C1

Yorba Linda, CA 92886 US

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  • Not Just Helmets and Pads: Adequate Protection Helps You Avoid Sports-Related Eye Injuries

Not Just Helmets and Pads: Adequate Protection Helps You Avoid Sports-Related Eye Injuries

  • Created in Newsletters, Tips for Healthy Eyes
Image of person on a bike.

Sprains, bruises and fractures are not the only types of injuries that can plague athletes. Eye injuries occur in a variety of sports, and often have very serious consequences. Wearing eye protection can prevent most of these injuries, yet too often athletes choose to go without this important piece of sports equipment.

Eye injuries are particularly common in children and account for approximately 100,000 physician visits yearly, according to the National Eye Institute. Adding goggles or other types of eye protection to your sports gear bag will help you avoid a potentially devastating injury.

Sports by Risk

You are most at risk for an eye injury if your sport involves the use of sticks, balls, pucks, racquets, bats or body-to-body contact. High-risk sports include football, boxing, basketball, paintball, baseball, water polo, contact martial arts, racquet sports, hockey and lacrosse.

Your chances of experiencing an eye injury are low if you participate in swimming, bicycling, bowling, gymnastics and track-and-field events.

What Are Common Eye Injuries?

Sports-related eye injuries usually fall into one of four categories: penetrating, blunt trauma, radiation and corneal abrasions.

Penetrating injuries occur when a foreign object cuts the eye. Sometimes, if an athlete plays a sport while wearing glasses, a lens can shatter and penetrate the eye, or another player can accidentally scratch an eye with a fingernail. Blunt trauma injuries occur when you are hit in the eye with an object or collide with another player. These injuries can fracture the bones surrounding the eye, rupture the eyeball or detach your retina.

Radiation injuries cause pain and redness and typically occur when snow or water skiers receive too much sun exposure.

Corneal abrasions are painful scrapes that often happen when a fellow player's finger accidentally comes in contact with your cornea, the clear layer of tissue that covers your iris.

Signs and Symptoms of Eye Injuries

Signs and symptoms of eye injuries vary depending on the type and severity, but may include:

  • Decreased vision
  • Tearing
  • Redness
  • Pain
  • Feeling that something is in your eye
  • Sunken eye
  • Double vision
  • Eyelid or facial swelling
  • Difficult following objects with your eyes
  • Unusual pupil size
  • Blood in the whites of the eyes

What Type of Protective Eyewear Should I Choose?

Some people do not like to wear protective eyewear because they are afraid that it will interfere with their vision, but today's eye protection options are thin, lightweight and made with impact-resistant polycarbonate. Look for goggles, face shields and other eyewear labeled "ASTM F803 approved." This means that the eye protection meets the standards of the American Society of Testing Materials. Try on all protective eyewear, and make sure it fits properly and will not fall off when you run or jump.

Although sunglasses provide some protection from UV rays, they will not protect you from stray balls or a finger to the eye. The lenses in goggles are designed to pop outward if the goggles take a direct hit. Sunglasses do not offer this important safety feature.

Do you need eye protection for your favorite sport? Call us and schedule an appointment. Whether you need prescription or non-prescription protective lenses, we can help you find the perfect type of protective eyewear.

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Testimonials

Reviews From Our Satisfied Patients

  • "We use Anderson Optometry for all of our family’s vision needs. Recently, we had to have our youngest fitted for new glasses and he made the experience fun for her and informative for us. We know Dr. Anderson will always take good care of our family’s eye care and that’s why we wouldn’t go to anywhere else."
    The Harrison Family
  • "Dr. Anderson and his staff are so patient and friendly. Dr. Anderson prescribed me glasses and I had the toughest time picking out frames. They didn’t rush, but instead made helpful suggestions and now I have an awesome pair of frames, not to mention the fact that I can see ten times better than before. You guys are the best!"
    Shelly
  • "I’ve been going to Dr. Anderson for over five years now and even though I only see him once a year for my annual exam, he and his staff always make me feel very welcome and take care of all my eye care needs. Anderson Optometry is the best at what they do and make you feel right at home."
    Anthony
  • "I was having headaches and felt my contacts were easily drying out all the time. I went in to see Dr. Anderson and after an evaluation, he suggested a switch in the type of lenses I use. Within a week of using the new lenses, I noticed a change and haven’t had any problems since. Thanks, Dr. Anderson!"
    Matt
  • "I had considered Lasik surgery in the past, but was still hesitant about the process. Dr. Anderson was very thorough in his consultation with me and answered all of my questions, making me feel comfortable with going forward with the procedure. I’m so glad I did the Lasik, it has been of great convenience to me and my sight has never been better"
    Carol

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