8 | 2 0 2 5 G O O D H E A L T H
Dr. Melissa Ball, optometrist at Professionals in Eye Care, says she sees eye injuries regularly— and many could have been prevented. | PHOTO BY MADISON NANTZ
Even a situation as simple as a flying bottle cap can cause internal bleeding, leaving someone at lifelong risk for glaucoma, a condition which can lead to vision loss or blindness.
Sports bring their own dangers, from soccer and basketball to racquet sports and football. Paintball has also caused serious injuries when goggles weren’ t used. Everyday prescription glasses— what Ball refers to as“ dress glasses”— can pose hidden hazards in these situations.
“ They’ re not made to withstand impact,” she explained.“ If a ball or an elbow hits, those glasses could shatter, and you could wind up with a shard of glass in your eye.”
Ball often advises parents to make sure children take off dress glasses during recess or gym and use sports goggles or contact lenses instead.
Even injuries that appear minor should never be ignored. Black eyes, for example, can signal hidden damage to the retina.
“ If we catch it early, we might be able to prevent a full-blown retinal detachment, but if surgery is delayed, the prognosis goes way down,” Ball said.
Cases of metal in the eye are another frequent concern. If patients come in quickly, the object can often be removed with a wet Q-tip. But once the metal starts to rust, removal becomes painful and complicated.
“ Your eye reacts violently to rust, and it becomes extremely painful,” Ball said.“ What could have been a simple fix turns into a much more
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