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Sports Vision |
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Many hospital admissions for
eye injuries are due to sports accidents. What's
more, most of these eye injuries are avoidable.
Football produces the greatest number, but squash
and badminton are responsible for the most serious
injuries. And that's not really surprising when
you consider that a squash ball can travel at
100 miles per hour.
A blow to the eye can result in many different types of
injury, such as detaching the retina. Although some can
be rectified by surgery, a significant number of people
who injure their eyes never recover full vision. For this
reason, The Royal National Institute for the Blind recommends
that you always protect your eyes when playing certain
sports, particularly those with fast flying balls, racquet's
or sticks.
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Protective goggles with impact resistant polycarbonate
lenses are usually advisable for these sports. Contrary to popular
opinion, many goggles do not cut down on your peripheral vision.
These days they contain specially shaped lenses designed to
give a wide field of vision. They're also light to wear and
come in fashionable designs and colours.
I already wear glasses
Don't worry, some of these protective goggles can be fitted
with prescription lenses, whilst others are designed to
fit over your spectacle frames. We can advise you on the
most suitable option. Even if you play a low risk sport,
we may well recommend that you reduce the chances of injury
by having plastic, rather than glass, lenses in your spectacles.
Should anything happen, they are less likely to shatter
and cause serious damage. Many sports people feel they
can see and perform better whilst wearing soft contact
lenses instead of spectacles. However, it is essential
that you ask us whether these are suitable for you. Contact
lenses will probably give you better peripheral vision,
but as they can also complicate a possible eye injury,
they may not be appropriate for certain sports.
On the ski slopes
Here good ski glasses that protect your eyes from the
sun and strong reflected light are absolutely essential
if you're heading for the slopes. These can be ordered
with prescription lenses if required, as can goggles for
swimming.
Your eyesight is one of your most valuable possessions.
So if you play sports, make sure you find out about
protective eye wear. | |
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