Concusssions are well known risk for students who play sports though eye injuries receive less attention. A new study from JAMA Ophthalmology reported 30,000 sports related eye injuries had been treated each year from 2010-2013. The majority of the injuries occurred to individuals under 18 years of age and quite a few in children under 10 years old. The research was done only on ER visits not urgent care or doctor's offices, so the total number of eye injuries is likely higher.
- One fourth of the injuries occurred while playing basketball.
- Second most common eye injuries occurred while playing baseball and softball.
- Eye injuries from boys playing with air guns were severe and frequent, though uncommon with paint guns because goggles are worn.
- Surprisingly, cycling injuries were noteworthy and soccer eye injuries among girls.