(ARA) - Warmer weather brings more outdoor sports – and with them, the increased risk of eye injury. Every year in the United States more than 40,000 sports-related eye injures require emergency room attention, with almost half happening to people younger than 15. The majority of these injuries could be prevented simply by using appropriate protective eyewear when playing sports.
“Even if they’re just playing a quick pickup game in the park, eye protection should be a major concern for kids,” says Florida optometrist and former University of Miami football player Dr. Pat Del Vecchio. “This is very important when playing certain sports – like baseball, basketball or football – where there is a higher risk of eye injury.”
When choosing eye protection for children, first make sure the eyewear is specifically designed for sports, Del Vecchio advises. Conventional frames and lenses can shatter and turn a small impact into a sight-threatening injury. “The eye protection should also be comfortable and not obscure vision during the game” he adds. “If it doesn’t meet these two criteria, then kids just aren’t going to wear it.”
While on-field collisions remain the most frequent cause of sports-related eye injuries, sometimes the playing field itself can be the culprit. Playing outdoors kicks up dust and dirt that can adhere to the eye and cause scratches or even more severe problems. This is a particular concern for young contact lens wearers. For these situations, Del Vecchio recommends taking along a multi-purpose solution in case you need to remove your lenses. “A good multi-purpose disinfecting solution, like OPTI-FREE RepleniSH MPDS, removes the irritants, and is an effective way to kill the germs that can cause eye infections,” he says.
Ultimately, the most important tip of all is to see your eye doctor at least once each year, Del Vecchio says. “Your eyes need to be taken care of just like any other piece of athletic equipment. As a former athlete, I can tell you they are the most important part of any sport, so a yearly visit to the eye doctor can identify any problems early, help maintain healthy vision and ensure you’re able to keep your eye on the ball.”
Quick Tips for Protecting Your Eyes
* Wear protective eyewear. Do not substitute ordinary glasses for appropriate protection. Sports-protective eyewear is specifically tested to meet rigid impact standards.
* Know your eye safety options. If you are not sure what protection works best, visit your eye doctor to see what is available.
* Add eye protection to other protective gear. If you are playing a sport that requires a helmet, consider wearing a helmet with full face protection.
* Take out contacts before getting in the water. Don’t wear your contact lenses while swimming. Certain organisms present in the water can attach to contact lenses and can cause eye infections. Remember to always care for your contact lenses with a Multi-Purpose Disinfecting Solution, like OPTI-FREE RepleniSH.
* Protect your eyes from the sun. To prevent eyes from being over exposed to UV rays, give your eyes a break by wearing sunglasses when not playing on the field.
HOLLY SPRINGS, N.C. — A ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the inaugural game of golf at the 18-hole championship Nicklaus Design Golf Group golf course at 12 Oaks, Wakefield Development Company’s newest master-planned community in Holly Springs. Builder representatives and city officials joined Wakefield Development Company employees to witness John Myers, president of Wakefield Development Company, and Steve Sandler, president of L.M. Sandler & Sons, Inc., the parent company of Wakefield Development Company, cut the ribbon at this championship golf course. After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, a dozen foursomes participated in the course’s first round of golf. “The opening of the 12 Oaks golf course is a huge milestone for this community,” said John Myers, president of Wakefield Development Company. “The course complements the lifestyle offered in this Holly Springs community, and we are eager to complete the other amenities offered here.”
A ClubCorp golf course, the 7,219-yard layout course covers a varied terrain, from narrow valleys and ridges to shallow valleys accented with streams and wooded areas. To complete the golf course, an antebellum-style clubhouse featuring formal dining, a ballroom, member’s grill and golf pro shop is slated to open Fall 2009. The course at 12 Oaks marks only one of 10 other Nicklaus Design Golf Group golf courses.
“The natural beauty of 12 Oaks is perfectly captured with this golf course,” said Ken Kasten, executive vice president of new business development for ClubCorp. “The terrain change is picturesque, and the different options of tee boxes make this course a fun challenge for touring professionals and beginning golfers alike.”
Covering 687 acres and offering more than 1,300 townhomes and single-family homes, 12 Oaks is a classic southern community featuring Colonial, Greek and Southern Antebellum Revival and Victorian architecture. Amenities at 12 Oaks will include a Sports and Aquatic Center complete with fitness facilities, snack bar, tennis courts and pro shop, competition and family pools, and a children’s playground. In addition, parks and open spaces will be placed throughout the community. For more information on 12 Oaks and Wakefield Development Company, please go to www.12OaksNC.com or call 919-622-3779.
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