Greater than 40,000 eye injuries from sports occur each year requiring a visit to the local Emergency Room, according to the U.S Consumer Product Safety Commission.  The good news is that most of these injuries can be treated acutely with no permanent damage to the eye.  Sports like basketball may lead to injuries in which the eye gets poked by fingers or elbows.  High velocity injuries can lead to permanent damage.  These include injuries in which the eye is struck by a fist, baseball, golf ball, or a hockey puck.  Repeat trauma to the eye may also lead to permanent damage.  An example of this would be Sugar Ray Leonard sustaining multiple retinal detachments over many years of sustained blows to the eyes.  Sustained head trauma from boxing, rugby, or football may lead to brain damage of which may result in dementia.  This leads to a situation in which the eye and visual acuity may be normal, however the patient may not be able to interrupt the images or words that he or she sees.  Dr Ashraf notes that it is very important to obtain an eye exam after any eye injury by an ophthalmologist since certain injuries may lead to eye damage many years after the injury.  For example, severe blunt trauma to the eye may lead to small tears in the retina or cause glaucoma.  These conditions may manifest many years after the initial injury and the patient usually is asymptomatic.  Unfortunately by the time the patient notices changes in his vision, it may be too late.  In a recent study it was noted that 66-76% of boxers have signs of ocular trauma.  The key finding in this study was these boxers were completely asymptomatic.  If left unchecked, some may develop glaucoma and potentially become blind.

Lady Gaga’s wider-than-life eyes in her “Bad Romance” video has fueled the latest craze for teenagers.  This look is re-created through the use of “circle” contact lenses.  These colored soft contact lenses are slightly larger than normal, they not only cover the cornea but extend out to the white part of the eye.  Many consumers have been getting these lenses illegally through the internet without a prescription.  This has prompted the American Academy of Ophthalmology to issue a statement about the dangers of these lenses.  They note that  buying any decorative lenses, including circle lenses, without a prescription is illegal.  Any type of contact lens is a medical device that requires a prescription, proper fitting by an eye care professional and a commitment to proper care by the consumer. Inflammation and pain can occur from improperly fitted, over-the-counter lenses and can lead to more serious problems including corneal abrasions and blinding infections.   Dr Ashraf, medical director of the Atlanta Vision Institute, notes that these lenses can be safe and effective when used properly.  This requires a contact lens fitting by your eye care professional and proper care by the individual.