Sports-related eye injuries are more common than you may think. Still, protective gear like safety goggles have been made available to help protect athletes from ocular injuries, and a 2022 study suggests that other tools, such as soft contacts, can help minimize eye injuries from contact sports. Mainly, researchers wanted to look into alternatives to protective goggles and other protective eyewear products that may be uncomfortable for physically active and engaged athletes. Aside from goggles, for example, corrective eyewear may have thick or thin lenses that can distort an athlete's vision.
 

Similarly, the study cited a survey of Australian squash players where 92% admitted to not wearing eye protection, despite 71% understanding that safety glasses would decrease their risk of eye injuries. Meanwhile, soft contact lenses have historically been used to enhance epithelial healing and control pain from ocular surface disease. For example, eye doctors routinely prescribe soft contacts to patients after refractive surgery to accelerate healing and prevent erosions.
 

At the same time, previous studies have also highlighted certain hazards of contact lens wear. In particular, researchers note that unsanitary conditions and contact lens overwear can be risky. While refractive surgery is named as a long-term alternative to improving vision for athletes, soft contact lenses can still provide an extra protective barrier to corneal abrasions for athletes practicing or competing in contact sports.

The diverse contact lens market

Nowadays, different kinds of contact lenses are available in the market, each designed and built using different materials to cater to varying wearer needs and preferences. Aside from tinted or cosmetic contact lenses, most contact lenses require a valid prescription from an eye doctor.

Thanks to the Internet and the rise of e-commerce, buying contact lenses has also become a lot easier and more convenient. Contact lens retailer ContactsDirect offers different types of contact lenses from various brands and in package sizes ranging from 2-packs to 90-packs. Brands like Acuvue offer daily disposable contact lenses in 90-packs so wearers can be well-stocked and not worry about running out. There are also biweekly and monthly contact lenses for wearers who don't need to replace their contacts constantly or aren't as physically active or engaged.

Nowadays, gas-permeable contact lenses — also known as RGP or GP lenses — are considered the best choice of contacts for those wanting the sharpest vision possible. Some eye doctors and retailers consider them to be of higher quality than soft contact lenses as they have a hard and polished surface, making them more durable and less susceptible to damage or wear and tear.
 

The importance of athlete eye health

Finally, sports-related injuries are inevitable for many athletes depending on the type of sport and how much contact is expected. Among the many aspects of athlete health, however, eye health tends to be overlooked. In a previous post, we highlighted how mental health remains a growing concern in regard to athlete well-being. Symptoms such as mental exhaustion, anxiety, and feelings of depression have been on the rise since 2020, with athletes from demographic subgroups typically reporting higher rates of mental health concerns.

While mental health concerns for athletes should certainly be a priority, it's also important to acknowledge the role that eye health plays in maintaining an athlete’s mental well-being. Aside from physical health, vision loss can significantly impact your quality of life and mental health. Studies in the past have linked vision loss to loneliness, social isolation, and feelings of worry, anxiety, and fear. People with vision loss also commonly struggle with depression.

Meanwhile, estimates from the advocacy group Prevent Blindness indicate that sports-related eye injuries increased by nearly 20% in 2022 compared to the year prior. Prevent Blindness warns that athletes of all ages should wear protective eyewear while participating in sports. According to the National Eye Institute, protective eyewear can prevent nine out of 10 sports-related eye injuries.