Protect Your Vision: The Importance of Protective Eyewear for Sports

April 29, 2025

Each year, more than 100,000 people in the U.S. suffer from sports-related eye injuries—a number that might surprise you. What’s even more alarming is that about 13,500 of these injuries lead to permanent vision loss. These aren’t just statistics; they’re real people whose lives have been impacted by injuries that, in most cases, could have been prevented with protective eyewear for sports.

In recognition of Sports Eye Safety Month this April, the American Academy of Ophthalmology is raising awareness about the importance of protecting your eyes during athletic activity. Whether you’re on the basketball court, the baseball field, or even the golf course, your eyes are at risk if they’re left unprotected.

The Good News? With Sports Eye Protection, Most Eye Injuries Are Preventable.

The vast majority of sports-related eye injuries can be avoided with one simple step: wearing proper eye protection. Protective eyewear made from polycarbonate—a highly impact-resistant plastic—can help shield your eyes from fast-moving balls, flying elbows, or unexpected falls. In fact, studies show that 90% of serious eye injuries in sports could be prevented by using the right gear.

Who’s Most at Risk for Sports Eye Injuries?

While sports eye injuries can happen in any sport, they’re most common in:

Basketball

Basketball leads the pack in eye injuries, often due to accidental pokes, jabs, or elbows to the face. Fast-paced movement, close contact, and lack of protective gear for eye protection in basketball make corneal abrasions, orbital fractures, and retinal injuries common.

Baseball and Softball

High-speed pitches and line drives pose serious risks. Eye injuries typically occur when players are struck by the ball, leading to blunt trauma like orbital fractures, pooling of blood in the eye, or even globe rupture in severe cases.

Racquet Sports

Tennis, squash, and racquetball can cause serious injury from direct hits by balls or racquets. Due to the speed and small size of the ball, players risk corneal abrasions, traumatic cataracts, or detached retinas, especially without protective goggles.

Ice Hockey

Flying pucks, sticks, and elbows all create a high-risk environment. Injuries range from cuts around the eye to severe blunt trauma and even vision-threatening retinal damage. Visors or full face shields are essential, but not always worn in amateur leagues.

Field Hockey

Similar to ice hockey, players are vulnerable to impact from sticks and balls. Eye injuries can include fractures, contusions, and internal bleeding in the eye. The low trajectory of the ball increases the risk of direct hits to the face.

Martial Arts and Boxing

Strikes to the face are inherent to these sports, making them a leading cause of blunt eye trauma. Injuries include black eyes, detached retinas, and orbital fractures. Repeated blows can also lead to long-term vision issues or chronic damage.

Kids and teens are especially vulnerable because they’re not required, or even encouraged, to wear protective eyewear for sports. Coaches, parents, and athletes must take eye safety seriously.

What to Look for in Protective Eyewear for Sports

If you or your child participates in sports, here are a few tips for choosing the right eye protection:

• Use sport-specific goggles or glasses approved by organizations like ASTM or ANSI.
• Look for lenses made of polycarbonate, which is 10 times more impact-resistant than other plastics.
• Make sure the fit is snug but comfortable—protection doesn’t work if it’s slipping off mid-play.

Protect Your Passion: Use Protective Eyewear for Sports

Your vision is one of your most valuable tools, on and off the field. Whether you’re a weekend warrior or a student athlete, don’t take your sight for granted. A split second can change everything, but the right pair of protective eyewear can make all the difference. Contact our offices in Huntington Beach, Irvine, Long Beach, or Newport Beach if you have any questions about sports eye safety and eye protection. Our Beach Eye Medical Group physicians are here to help.

Let’s use Sports Eye Safety Month as a reminder: play smart, play safe, and always protect your eyes.