Posted by: Eye Health Northwest in General Eye Health on April 7, 2026
Each year, an estimated 100,000 people suffer sports-related eye injuries, and roughly 13,500 of those injuries lead to permanent vision loss. April is Sports Eye Safety Month, and Eye Health Northwest is reminding athletes of all levels that most of these injuries are preventable.
A single hit from a ball, elbow, or racket can cause more damage to the eye than many people realize. Here are five sports eye injury complications worth knowing about before you step onto the court or field.
1. Corneal Abrasions
A corneal abrasion is a scratch on the clear, outer surface of the eye. In sports, these often happen when a finger catches the eye during a rebound or a ball clips the face at close range.
Symptoms include sharp pain, tearing, redness, and sensitivity to light. Most minor abrasions heal within a day or two with lubricating drops or ointment, but deeper scratches can take a week or longer and may require antibiotic treatment to prevent infection.
2. Retinal Detachment
A hard blow to the eye can cause the retina to pull away from the tissue supporting it. This is called a retinal detachment, and it requires prompt treatment to prevent permanent vision loss.
Basketball leads all sports in eye injury rates, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, and retinal detachments are among the most serious outcomes. Athletes who notice sudden flashes of light, floaters, or a shadow over their vision after impact should seek care from an ophthalmologist immediately.
3. Orbital Fractures
The bones surrounding the eye socket are relatively thin, which makes them vulnerable to fractures during contact sports. A direct hit from a baseball, an elbow to the face during a basketball game, or a collision on the field can break these bones.
Orbital fractures may cause swelling, bruising, double vision, and a sunken appearance around the eye. Some fractures heal on their own with rest, but others require surgical repair.
4. Traumatic Cataracts
Blunt force to the eye can damage the eye’s natural lens, leading to a traumatic cataract. This type of cataract may develop shortly after the injury or appear months later.
5. Hyphema
A forceful hit can also cause a hyphema, which is bleeding inside the front chamber of the eye. If left untreated, a hyphema can increase eye pressure and raise the risk of glaucoma. Both of these complications may not produce obvious symptoms right away, which is why any significant impact on the eye deserves a thorough evaluation.
How Protective Eyewear Reduces Your Risk of Sports Eye Injuries
The good news is that most sports eye injuries are avoidable. Polycarbonate sports goggles offer strong, shatter-resistant protection for basketball, racquet sports, soccer, pickleball, and field hockey. Ice hockey and lacrosse players should wear helmets with polycarbonate face masks or wire shields.
All protective eyewear should meet the standards set by the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM). Regular eyeglasses and contact lenses do not provide adequate protection and can worsen an injury if they shatter on impact. The team at EyeHealth Northwest can help you find the right protective eyewear for your sport.
Keep Your Eyes in the Game This April
Sports Eye Safety Month is a good reminder that if you play sports at any level, wearing the right eyewear could be the difference between a minor scare and a lasting injury. Schedule an appointment at EyeHealth Northwest in Portland, OR, today, to talk with an eye care professional about sports eye safety and get fitted with the best protective eyewear for your needs.
