APRIL: Sports Eye Safety Month

  While many of us are aware of sports-related injuries, what you may not be aware of is that eye injuries account for a large amount of those injuries.

Annually, more than 25,000 people seek medical attention due to a sports-related eye injury. A third of those 25,000 injuries happen to children, the majority of them occurring in water-related sports, martial arts, boxing, basketball, baseball/softball, football, and soccer. So, just about every single sport you can think of, there’s a risk of getting an eye injury.

The good news in all of this is about 90% of these eye injuries can be prevented with use of protective eyewear. Many sports incorporate elements of this concept into their uniforms, the most common being helmets and masks. 

It is also important to remember that regular prescription glasses do not offer proper eye protection against sports-related eye injuries. Regular glasses or sunglasses can shatter on impact, making an eye injury much worse.  Always use protective eye gear, such as safety glasses or goggles, safety shields, or eye guards depending on the sport. Sports glasses or goggles have polycarbonate lenses, which are more impact resistant. When considering protective eyewear for sports, also think about getting UV protection. They may not only reduce glare but protect your eyes from developing glaucoma or cataracts later in life. 

If an eye injury unfortunately does occur, call us immediately, even if the injury appears to be a minor one. Delaying medical attention can result in permanent vision loss or blindness

 (909)596-6756  2443 Foothill LaVerne CA 91750 (909) 982-0100  1637 Mountain Ave Upland CA 91784 #drkennethboyerOD #drbrianboyerOD #www.drboyeroptometrist.com

August- Children’s Eye Health & Safety Month

 Amidst all the hurrying and scurrying to get the school year started on the right foot, it’s important not to lose sight of the role healthy eyes play in a young person’s learning experience.

That’s why August has been designated as Children’s Eye Health & Safety Month.

Vision Should Be A Top Priority 

Good eyesight and eye health are especially important for the development of young children, and staying on top of vision concerns should be a priority for parents because it’s not always possible for children to realize when their eyes are not healthy.

Statistics show one out of 20 children between the ages of 3 and 5 has a serious eye problem that could result in permanent vision impairment if left untreated. Yet, 4 out of 5 preschoolers do not receive routine eye screening.

Common And Severe Eye Conditions

At Dr Boyer Optometry, we encourage you to include a comprehensive eye exam in your child’s back-to-school prep. Our kid-friendly optometrists can detect common refractive errors like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism, as well as more severe eye conditions like amblyopia (lazy eye), strabismus (crossed eyes), ptosis (drooping of the eyelid), and color deficiency (color blindness).

Fall Sports Injuries

The beginning of school also means the beginning of fall sports and other activities that could lead to eye injuries.

Every year, 42,000 Americans suffer a sports-related eye injury, with children making up the majority of those cases. You can help prevent your child from being part of that statistic by following a few basic safety rules:

• All children should wear the recommended protective eyewear while participating in sports or recreational activities.
• Children should only have access to age-appropriate toys and avoid toys with sharp or protruding parts.
• Keep cleaning supplies and sprays out of the reach of children.
• Teach the proper handling of or altogether avoid projectile toys like darts, bows and arrows, or airsoft/BB guns.

Regardless of how COVID-19 affects the upcoming school year and sports season, now is the perfect time to tackle your kiddo’s eye health. And who knows, “really cool glasses” might end up being your kid’s favorite item on their back-to-school shopping list!

Come see us at either of our two convenient offices. Call for an appointment 

(909) 596-6756  2443 Foothill LaVerne CA 91750 or

(909) 982-0100  1637 Mountain Ave Upland CA 91784

www.drboyeroptometrist.com

Sports Safety

 For many kids and adults, the return of spring means it’s time to gather up bats, gloves and helmets and head for the baseball diamond. But too many people forget to include an important piece of gear: protective eyewear. 

According to the National Eye Institute, baseball is a leading cause of eye injuries among children 14 years old and younger who play sports in the U.S. In fact, eye injuries are the leading cause of blindness in children, accounting for an estimated 100,000 emergency room and doctor visits each year.

It’s a sad fact that nine out of 10 kids who have suffered an eye injury could have prevented it just by wearing proper eye protection. Unfortunately, many youth and adult sports leagues do not require players to wear protective eyewear.

Potential eye injuries from baseball include:

• corneal abrasion;
• orbital fracture;
• hyphema, which can lead to glaucoma;
• ruptured eyeball;
• cataract; and
• detached retina.

People often think that wearing their regular eyeglasses or sunglasses offers some protection from a baseball hit, but this is false. The truth is that non-protective eyewear can shatter upon impact, causing more damage to your eye.

Before taking the field, take the proper steps to keep your eyes safe:

• If you wear prescription glasses or contact lenses, ask your eye doctor about prescription protective sports eyewear. There are certified helmets with attached safety glasses for baseball batters and base runners; fielders can get certified protective eyewear.
• Sports safety glasses must meet American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and American National Standards Institute (ANSI) safety standards. Eyewear designed to meet Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) industrial standards does not meet the safety standards for sports eye protection.
• All prescription sports glasses should be made from polycarbonate material because it resists shattering and provides UV (ultraviolet light) protection. If the protective lenses have turned yellow over time, have them replaced, as the polycarbonate material may have weakened with age.
• Sports goggles provide the best eye protection. However, they may not fit narrow faces well. In this case, the best option is certified sports glasses with 3-millimeter-thick polycarbonate lenses.

Our doctors and opticians can help you select the best options that meet the standards you need for your sport.  Contact us for an evaluation and exam. (909) 596-6756  2443 Foothill LaVerne CA 91750 (909) 982-0100  1637 Mountain Ave Upland CA 91784 www.drboyeroptometrist.com