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The right eye guards

Serious trauma to one eye can blind even the other

PHOTO: AFP

SPORTS SAFETY Getting the right eye guard is important

Eye injuries are common in sports and frequently lead to impaired vision or even blindness. Eye protection is probably the least discussed topic in sports safety. The loss of vision in one eye makes successful participation in sports near impossible. M.A.K Pataudi was a good batsman with one eye blind, but he was a great batsman before his injury in a car accident. Serious trauma to one eye can blind even the uninjured eye by a process known as sympathetic ophthalmia.

For most athletes, eye protection means nothing more than a pair of sunglasses or prescription glasses. Unfortunately, most sunglasses or prescription spectacles do little more than protect the eye from sun and dust, and they can actually be dangerous in a collision with a high-velocity ball. Good eye guards fulfil the dual roles of eye protector and prescription glasses (if necessary). Some eye guards help one see better in dim light.

How an eye guard behaves during impact is the most important thing about it. The lenses should either stay in place or displace outward during an impact. Lenses that break inward can harm the eye. An eye guard should not hinder helmet use.

Before buying the eye guard, make sure it has been tested for use in sports. The eye guard should be made of polycarbonate. It is worth trawling through a few sports websites to find out what ice hockey players in North America and cricketers in Australia are wearing to protect their eyes. Try to wear models that are popular with sportspersons worldwide. Eye care is one situation where imitating sportspersons is beneficial. The top range sports eye guards have built-in antifogging lining and vents for air circulation.

Wear the eye guards for a few minutes before buying them. Test them in conditions that simulate play conditions as much as possible. Your eye guards are no good if they blur the ball moving at high speed. The eye guard should not be protecting your eyes by delivering the impact to your nose.

If you feel weird wearing eye guards that look like outsized spectacles, remember that they are meant to protect the most important parts of your face. Eye guards, however weird they seem, look a lot better than a blind eye.

RAJIV M.

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