Don’t Risk Your Eyes
Posted by: West Georgia Eye Care Center in Frontpage Article on November 1, 2014
Have you ever known a risk-taker? You know the type: extreme-sporting, storm-chasing, death-defying adrenaline junkies who pursue high-speed adventure at whatever cost? Many risk-takers are notorious for ignoring safety precautions to their own hurt. Maybe you’re not one of the daredevil variety, but it’s entirely possible that you are putting your eyes at risk every day. Your eyesight is worth protecting.
When it comes to your vision, don’t be a risk-taker.
Did you know that eye injuries are the leading cause of blindness in children in the United States? And that most injuries occurring in school-aged children are sports-related? According to the 2002 National Health Interview Survey, 84.6% of children do not utilize protective eyewear while playing sports that pose risk of eye injury. These injuries account for an estimated 100,000 physician visits per year at a cost of more than $175 million. Workplace eye injuries rack up nearly twice that dollar amount, at an estimated $300 million per year spent on treatment, worker’s comp, and loss of productivity.
It’s a battlefield out there, and your eyes are in danger.
The good news? Almost all serious eye injuries are preventable through use of appropriate protective eyewear. Examples would include safety glasses, goggles, safety shields, and eye guards. Protective eyewear is made of ultra-tough polycarbonate, which is 10 times more impact-resistant than standard plastics. Don’t think that ordinary glasses or contacts will be sufficient to protect your eyes. Street wear is not an adequate defense against the hazards of high-risk occupations and sports.
Baseball, basketball, soccer, field hockey, and racket sports (tennis, lacrosse, squash, etc.) are considered moderate-to-high risk sports for eye injuries. In spite of the alarming statistics we’ve just shared with you, most youth sports leagues do not require the use of eye protection. Parents and coaches need to buck this trend and challenge kids to defend their eyes. Click here to learn more about risky sports and how to play safe.
If you’re in need of safety/sports glasses, or if your interest has been piqued, our optical team at West Georgia Eye Care Center would be happy to answer any questions you may have. Call (706) 323-3491, ext. 7628 to speak with an optician OR stop by our optical department at 2616 Warm Springs Road.
Go ice-climbing, bungee-jumping, sky-diving, spelunking, or whatever you wish, but don’t you dare risk your eyes!
