Clinical Scorecard: Leading Off: Batter Up: Take a Swing on Eye Protection

At a Glance

Key Highlights

• 90% of serious eye injuries in sports can be prevented by wearing protective eyewear.
• Protective eyewear is recommended for sports with close ball proximity, such as pickleball and racquetball.
• Optimizing visual acuity and contrast with sports prescription glasses or contact lenses enhances athletic performance and safety.

Guideline-Based Recommendations

Diagnosis

• Assess athlete’s visual needs including sport type, ball color, and playing conditions.

Management

• Recommend and provide protective eyewear tailored to the specific sport and athlete’s visual requirements.
• Consider compensated lens designs to address astigmatism and prism for optimized vision.
• Discuss lens tint options and materials to enhance visual performance.

Monitoring & Follow-up

• Regularly evaluate the fit and condition of protective eyewear and update prescriptions as needed.

Risks

• Failure to wear protective eyewear significantly increases risk of serious eye injuries such as lacerations and bruising.

Patient & Prescribing Data

Athletes in sports with high risk of eye injury, including baseball, pickleball, and racquetball players.

Customized eyewear solutions including sports prescription glasses or contact lenses improve both protection and visual performance.

Clinical Best Practices

• Educate athletes and coaches on the importance of consistent use of protective eyewear during all sports activities.
• Collaborate with opticians to gather detailed sport-specific visual needs to tailor eyewear solutions.
• Use compensated lens designs and appropriate tints to optimize vision and safety on the field.
• Encourage patient involvement in eyewear selection to ensure compliance and satisfaction.

References

• American Academy of Ophthalmology - Eye Injury Prevention
• Florida Institute of Sports Vision