Winning the Game Without Losing Sight: My Journey to Eye Safety in Sports
Understanding the Risks Athletes Face on the Field
As a lifelong athlete and now a part-time coach, I’ve seen firsthand how quickly a game can turn into a medical emergency—especially when it comes to eye injuries. I’ll never forget the day one of our best soccer players caught an elbow in the eye during a match. He was wearing no protective gear, and what looked like a simple bruise turned out to be a serious corneal abrasion. That incident made me realize how little we, as athletes, often consider vision protection as part of our training and game preparation.
Whether you’re playing basketball, baseball, hockey, or even participating in track and field, eye injuries can happen in an instant. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, over 40,000 sports-related eye injuries occur each year in the U.S. alone—most of them preventable. From flying balls to UV exposure during outdoor sports, athletes encounter unique vision risks that require intentional prevention strategies.
Top Strategies to Prevent Eye Problems in Sports
After doing a deep dive into sports eye safety and consulting with a few eye care professionals, I’ve put together what I believe are the most effective ways athletes can safeguard their vision throughout their careers.
1. Use Sport-Specific Protective Eyewear
This was the first thing we implemented after our soccer player’s injury. Sports goggles, polycarbonate lenses, and even face shields for sports like hockey and lacrosse have been game-changers. They’re designed to withstand high impact and prevent blunt trauma, scratches, and even penetrating injuries.
For baseball and racquetball players, where high-speed objects are common, protective eyewear should be non-negotiable. We now require every athlete on our team to wear certified eyewear approved by the ASTM F803 standard for sports eye protection. Believe me, a $40 pair of goggles is worth it if it saves your eyesight.
2. Don’t Ignore UV Protection
I remember one summer training camp in Arizona. After hours in the sun without proper sunglasses, my eyes felt gritty, painful, and overly sensitive to light. Turns out, I had mild photokeratitis—essentially a sunburn on the eye. Outdoor athletes, especially in snow or water sports, are at high risk for UV damage. Wearing wrap-around sunglasses with 100% UVA and UVB protection is now part of my gear checklist before any practice or game.
3. Address Dry Eyes and Environmental Irritants
During marathon training, I found my eyes would sting and blur midway through long-distance runs. The culprit? Wind, dust, and dehydration. I started using preservative-free artificial tears before and after runs and even switched to running glasses to shield my eyes from wind. This small change made a big difference in both comfort and performance.
For athletes in dry climates or those who train indoors with intense AC or heating systems, eye hydration becomes critical. Don’t wait until your eyes feel gritty or tired—stay ahead of the dryness with regular care.
4. Regular Eye Exams Are Non-Negotiable
As athletes, we obsess over physical checkups, injury rehab, and nutrition, yet many skip routine eye exams. I was guilty of this myself until a preseason eye check revealed early signs of astigmatism. I didn’t even know I had it—but once corrected, my depth perception and reaction times improved dramatically.
Even if you think your vision is "fine," an optometrist can detect subtle issues like retinal stress, elevated eye pressure, or signs of eye fatigue—especially common in endurance athletes or those in high-intensity sports. I now visit an eye doctor annually and encourage all my teammates to do the same.
5. Nutrition and Hydration Impact Your Eyes Too
We often hear about how omega-3s help joints and recovery, but they also play a big role in eye health. I added more fish, spinach, and nuts to my diet, and within weeks, my eyes felt less tired post-training. Vitamins A, C, and E, plus zinc, also support retinal function and reduce oxidative stress.
Staying hydrated isn’t just for muscle cramps—it helps prevent dry eyes and supports tear production, especially during endurance sports. I began drinking more electrolytes and it improved not just my performance, but my post-run eye comfort as well.
Creating a Culture of Vision Safety in Athletics
Once I saw how much of an edge proper eye care gave me—not just in avoiding injury but improving reaction speed, tracking, and overall visual acuity—I became an advocate. Now, our team holds eye safety workshops every season, and we even partner with local eye care clinics to get discounted protective eyewear and screenings.
Changing the mindset of young athletes from “just tough it out” to “protect your most valuable sense” has been incredibly rewarding. One of our tennis players even credited her rise in rankings to improved vision after correcting an undiagnosed issue during a team eye screening.
If you’re an athlete, coach, or parent of an athlete, I urge you to prioritize eye health. The earlier you make it part of your training philosophy, the more it pays off—not just in performance, but in lifelong vision.
For expert guidance and custom care plans, check out Eye Docs. They can help you find top eye clinics and specialists across the U.S. tailored to your sport and vision needs.
