UTICA, NY — April is recognized as Sports Eye Safety Month and the Central Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CABVI) is encouraging everyone to protect their vision during athletic and recreational activities.
Each year, nearly 30,000 sports-related eye injuries are treated in U.S. emergency rooms, and more than 13,000 of those injuries lead to permanent vision loss. Yet, according to the AAO, 90% of these injuries can be prevented by wearing proper protective eyewear.
Eye injuries can occur in virtually any sport. Common types include:
• Corneal abrasions: Scratches on the eye’s surface caused by fingers, debris, or equipment
• Blunt eye trauma: Impacts from balls, sticks, or other players that can lead to retinal detachment, orbital fractures, or glaucoma
• Penetrating injuries: Sharp objects—such as broken glasses or flying debris—entering the eye
• Subconjunctival hemorrhage: Blood spots on the white of the eye from broken blood vessels
• Traumatic cataracts: Clouding of the eye’s natural lens following an injury
• Corneal abrasions: Scratches on the eye’s surface caused by fingers, debris, or equipment
• Blunt eye trauma: Impacts from balls, sticks, or other players that can lead to retinal detachment, orbital fractures, or glaucoma
• Penetrating injuries: Sharp objects—such as broken glasses or flying debris—entering the eye
• Subconjunctival hemorrhage: Blood spots on the white of the eye from broken blood vessels
• Traumatic cataracts: Clouding of the eye’s natural lens following an injury
Athletes can greatly reduce their risk of eye injuries by following safety guidelines and wearing certified protective eyewear such as ProGear Eye Guards, available at the CABVI Optical Shop, 408 Elizabeth St., Utica. These sports goggles are specifically designed to correct, improve, and protect vision during active play. They can be fitted with prescription lenses or worn without them, and they undergo high‑speed impact testing that simulates real sports conditions to ensure athlete safety.
For more information, visit the CABVI Optical Shop or call 315-797-2233 ext.4000.
About CABVI
The Central Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CABVI) is a social enterprise established in 1929 to provide services and employment to people who are blind or visually impaired. CABVI’s serves people of all ages in a 10-county region of Central New York. CABVI provides employment opportunities and a variety of vision rehabilitation services. For further details, please visit www.cabvi.org.
