Eye injuries in sports

Abstract

Of the 3,500 sports and recreational eye injuries reported in Canada over the past 15 years, 400 eyes remain legally blind. Most of the eye injuries could have been prevented. The activity causing most sports eye injuries varies from country to country. The sport causing most eye injuries in Canada is ice hockey. A study done in the 1970s by the Canadian Ophthalmological Society resulted in high stick rules and the wearing of certified face protectors by hockey players. The availability of certified eye protectors for racquet sports players has greatly reduced the incidence of eye injuries in racquetball and squash. Probably 90% of sports injuries can be prevented by modifying and enforcing game rules and by wearing certified eye protection.