Vision Health Library

Sports-Related Eye Injuries: Prevention, Symptoms & Eye Safety

Sports are an important part of an active lifestyle, but they can also put the eyes at risk. A ball, racquet, finger, elbow or other unexpected impact can injure the eye in a fraction of a second. Some sports-related eye injuries are relatively minor, while others can damage structures inside the eye and potentially threaten vision.

Basketball, racquet sports, baseball, softball and water sports are among the activities in which eye injuries can occur. Possible injuries include corneal abrasions, inflammation inside the eye, bleeding, orbital fractures and damage to the retina.

The good news is that many sports-related eye injuries can be prevented with appropriate protective eyewear. Regular eyeglasses and contact lenses are not substitutes for sports eye protection. Athletes who require vision correction can also be fitted with protective eyewear designed to accommodate their prescription.

At Choice Vision Care & Wellness in Wellington, Florida, Dr. Salvatore DeCanio and our eye care team can evaluate sports-related eye injuries and help patients choose appropriate protective eyewear for their activities.

Common Sports-Related Eye Injuries

Corneal Abrasions

A corneal abrasion is a scratch on the clear outer surface of the eye. It is one of the more common types of eye injuries associated with sports and can happen when the eye is poked by a finger, scratched or struck by an object.

Symptoms may include sharp eye pain, redness, excessive tearing, sensitivity to light, blurry vision or the persistent sensation that something is stuck in the eye. Because an abrasion can leave the eye vulnerable to infection and other complications, persistent symptoms after an injury should be evaluated by an eye doctor.

Traumatic Iritis

Traumatic iritis is inflammation of the iris, the colored portion of the eye, following an injury. It may develop after the eye is struck by a ball, hand or another object.

Symptoms can include eye or brow pain, blurred vision, sensitivity to bright light and changes in the appearance or size of the pupil. Because these symptoms can indicate inflammation inside the eye, an examination is important following significant eye trauma.

Hyphema

A hyphema occurs when bleeding develops in the space between the cornea and the iris. Blunt trauma from sports can damage blood vessels inside the eye and allow blood to collect in this area.

Blood may be visible in the front of the eye, and the injury may also cause blurry or distorted vision, sensitivity to light or eye pain. A suspected hyphema requires prompt medical attention because complications can affect vision.

Angle Recession and Glaucoma Risk

A forceful impact can damage the eye's internal drainage structures. This type of injury is known as angle recession. In some people, the damage can eventually contribute to increased pressure inside the eye and a form of glaucoma known as angle-recession glaucoma.

One of the challenges with this type of injury is that problems may not become noticeable immediately. Changes in eye pressure can occur long after the original accident, which is one reason a thorough eye examination and appropriate follow-up are important after significant eye trauma.

Retinal Tears and Retinal Detachment

A strong impact to the eye can sometimes damage the retina, the light-sensitive tissue located at the back of the eye. A retinal tear can allow fluid to move beneath the retina and may lead to retinal detachment.

Warning signs can include a sudden increase in floaters, flashes of light, new dark spots or the appearance of a shadow or curtain across part of your vision. These symptoms should never be ignored. A retinal detachment is an eye emergency and requires immediate evaluation.

Subconjunctival Hemorrhage

A subconjunctival hemorrhage occurs when a small blood vessel breaks beneath the clear tissue covering the white portion of the eye. The resulting bright red area can look alarming even when the injury itself is minor.

Subconjunctival hemorrhages frequently resolve on their own. However, when significant redness develops after being struck in or around the eye, an examination can help determine whether other structures were injured.

Orbital Fractures

The bones surrounding the eye form the eye socket, or orbit. A hard blow from a baseball, softball, racquet, fist or another object can fracture one or more of these bones.

An orbital fracture is a significant injury that should be medically evaluated. Depending on the nature of the injury, diagnostic imaging such as a CT scan may be necessary to determine its extent and whether surrounding tissues have also been affected.

Black Eyes and Bruising Around the Eye

A black eye develops when trauma causes bleeding and bruising in the tissues surrounding the eye. Although many black eyes primarily involve the surrounding skin and tissue, the force that caused the bruising may also have injured the eye itself.

Blurred vision, double vision, significant pain, difficulty moving the eye or other changes in vision following an impact should be evaluated promptly.

Protecting Your Eyes While Playing Sports

Protective eyewear should be considered part of an athlete's basic safety equipment, just like helmets, pads and other protective gear. Ordinary eyeglasses are not designed to withstand the type of impacts that can occur during many athletic activities.

For sports such as basketball and racquet sports, protective sports goggles made with impact-resistant polycarbonate lenses can provide substantially greater protection. When appropriate, look for sports eyewear that meets the ASTM F803 standard for the activity being played.

Baseball and softball players may require helmets or face protection designed for their position and level of play. Athletes who normally wear prescription glasses can also be fitted with prescription sports eyewear rather than attempting to play in their everyday frames.

Proper fit matters as well. Protective eyewear should remain securely positioned while allowing the athlete to move comfortably. Children and teenagers should have their eyewear checked periodically because facial dimensions can change as they grow.

When to See an Eye Doctor After a Sports Injury

Do not assume an eye injury is harmless simply because there is no visible cut or bruise. Damage can occur inside the eye even when the outside appears relatively normal.

Seek prompt eye care if an injury is followed by significant pain, persistent redness, blurred or double vision, sensitivity to light, flashes, a sudden increase in floaters, blood inside the eye or any noticeable loss or change in vision.

At Choice Vision Care & Wellness, Dr. Salvatore DeCanio provides comprehensive eye care for patients in Wellington and the surrounding Palm Beach County area. If you have experienced a sports-related eye injury or would like help selecting protective sports eyewear, contact our office for an evaluation.