Sports Eye Injuries Cause of Vision Loss in Children

HAMPTON, Va. - April 29, 2013 - PRLog -- For children and teens, damage to the eye, or ocular trauma, is the number one cause of vision loss.  April is Sports Eye Safety Month, and it’s a good reminder for parents to protect their children’s eyes, especially when they are playing sports like baseball, basketball, ice hockey, martial arts, lacrosse and tennis.
    Alan Wagner, MD, FACS, of Wagner Macula & Retina Center treats pediatric patients with sports related eye injuries.   He explains, “Blunt trauma and penetrating trauma are both significant causes of visual loss.   Blunt trauma, the more common of the two, occurs when the eye is struck with a ball, fist, racket, or other solid object.”  Sports eye injuries can result in bleeding in the eye or hyphema, the clear lens can be damaged forming a cataract, and retinal detachment. Some injuries including retinal detachment generally require prompt surgical repair to prevent or minimize serious visual loss.
There are ways for parents to help prevent eye related sports injuries, the American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends using protective eyewear as well as helmets.    The helmets and eyewear should be made of polycarbonate, a shatterproof lightweight plastic.    In addition, Dr. Wagner warns to wear the protective gear even when practicing, not just in the games.
Wagner Macula and Retina is dedicated to saving sight and enhancing lives.    They specialize in diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, eye tumors, and diagnosis and management of complex medical and surgical eye disease.  To learn more, log onto www.wagnerretina.com.