FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sports Vision: See Clearly as You Protect Your Eyes
(COLLEYVILLE, TX),
(9/22/2008) —If
you have ever played sports and worn glasses, you know the
limitations in doing so. Glasses present obvious mobility and
peripheral vision issues. In addition, glasses offer little
protection and actually can contribute to damage to the eyes if
glass lenses are shattered.
Contact
lenses offer a safe, clear and comfortable alternative for the
athlete on any field or court. Peripheral vision is not an issue
with contact lenses. However, contact lenses don’t protect the eyes
other than offer some protection for the cornea.
Winter
and indoor sports like ice hockey, basketball, football, and
gymnastics, along with water and pool activities, baseball,
softball, racquet sports and golf contribute the greatest number of
eye injuries.
Does one
sport dominate when it comes to eye injuries? “The more contact that
you have, the greater the chance of eye injury,” said Dr. Richard A.
Driscoll from Total Eye Care
of Colleyville. “However, the most
damage is done when the orbital bone which surrounds the eye isn’t
able to protect the eye – this means, an elbow, stick, puck or ball
such as a racquetball can penetrate the eye causing potentially
sight threatening damage.”
“We
recommend helmets and face shields approved by the U.S. Amateur
Hockey Association when playing hockey and safety goggles for
racquet sports and basketball,” said
Dr. Driscoll.
Sports
eye injuries literally happen in the blink of an eye and affect
professionals and amateurs alike. According to Prevent Blindness
America, 90 percent of eye injuries can be avoided by following
proper precautions. More than 40,000 people a year suffer eye
injuries while playing sports.
What do
you do if you have an eye injury? “Contact your optometrist directly
for the fastest, most effective response,” said Dr. Driscoll.
“Optometrists are well prepared to diagnose and treat an eye injury
immediately.” Going to an emergency room is a second option that may
prolong treatment in some cases, as the hospital must locate an eye
care specialist.
If you
are questioning whether you need to seek medical attention, consider
the following:
-
Is
your vision blurred at all?
-
Do
you notice discomfort or pain?
-
Do
you notice double vision, as your eyes look either up, down,
left or right?
-
Are
you sensitive to light?
-
Does
your eye look swollen, red or
feel irritated?
If you
answered yes to any of the questions above, please seek immediate
attention from your
optometrist.
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Therapeutic Optometrist Dr. Rich Driscoll has been serving the eye care needs of Colleyville, Texas since 1995. His Colleyville office is located at 6114 Colleyville Blvd. Total Eye Care’s Keller office is located at 1834 Keller Parkway. More information can be found on The Eye Doc Blog or at totaleyecare.com
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CONTACT: DR. RICH DRISCOLL, TOTAL EYE CARE, 817.416.0333,
www.totaleyecare.com & Press @ totaleyecare.NET
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