Exercise and sport can be hazardous for the eye if proper precautions are not taken. Sports cause about 40,000 eye injuries annually in the U.S., according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology. About 90 percent of these injuries are preventable. You should take every precaution to avoid eye injury when exercising as the damage caused may be permanent and irreversible.
Sports and Eyes
Eye injuries may easily happen when exercising or playing sports. Balls may hit you in the eye and cause damage if you are not wearing sports goggles. Helmets should always be worn, but be warned that these do not always provide adequate protection against injury. If you play basketball or baseball, you are at particular risk of eye damage. Those who indulge in water and racquet sports are also at risk. Even exercising solo can carry risk. Trips or falls during running or walking may cause you to bang you eye.
Types
The eye may be damaged in three ways, according to the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at the University of Illinois. Corneal abrasion occurs when the eye surface, called the cornea, is scratched, often by a fingernail. Blunt injuries, caused by hard contact with an object, such as a ball or elbow, can cause black eyes or worse. The third type of injury is rare, but potentially very damaging: Penetration injuries that might be caused by the shattering of eyeglasses can pierce the eye when damaged by an object or in a fall.
Complications
Corneal abrasions are generally not serious, but if pain or blurred vision occurs, see an ophthalmologist. Injury caused by blunt force is a little more worrisome. This type of injury can cause a black eye and can usually be treated with ice or a cold pack, but look out for blood in the eye, as this can be a sign of a hyphema, which occurs when the front of the eye bleeds and can cause serious damage to the eye, according to MayoClinic.com. Always see a doctor if you notice blood in the eye. Penetration injuries require immediate medical attention, as the related scarring can cause blindness.
Benefits
Exercise can help protect the eyes from diseases and disorders. According to the Schepens Eye Research Institute, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School, regular exercise helps to prevent high blood pressure and aids circulation, which may protect against glaucoma.
Eye Exercises
Specific exercises for the eye may be additionally beneficial for your eye health. If you have a lazy eye, you may find a "push/pull" method useful for strengthening the eye. This technique may also improve depth perception and may be useful for people requiring precise movements, such as surgeons and athletes. The technique requires further study as of October 2010, but may be used in the future.
References
- American Academy of Ophthalmology: Eye Protection is Essential for All Athletes
- Vision Council: Eye Safety at a Glance
- UIC Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences: Sports Eye Injuries
- MayoClinic.com: Black Eye First Aid
- Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh: Ocular Injuries
- Schepens Eye Research Institute: Preventing Disease and Injuries
