As eye doctors, we always remind our patients: prevention is better than cure. Sports and exercise are an important part of a healthy life, but none of us appreciate how exposed our eyes are when we play. One ball, shuttle, or wayward elbow can result in anything from minor scratch to irreparable blindness. When it comes to sports eye safety, let us consider a few of the most popular games here in India, the potential risk to your eyes -- and, importantly, how you can stay safe.

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From cricket through badminton, football through hockey, and even swimming, all activities can pose various risks.

Cricket, the sport closest to the heart of the nation, is also one of the most dangerous for the eyes. The cricket ball is heavy, hard and moves at high velocity. When it hits the face, it can lead to black eyes, facial fractures around the socket, corneal and/or scleral tears, bleeding inside the eye (vitreous haemorrhage), or even retinal detachment. Helmets with polycarbonate face guards are necessary for batsmen, wicketkeepers and close-in fielders, while protective eye gear is highly recommended even in friendly matches.

Badminton, seemingly innocuous, is one of the most common causes of sports eye injuries. The shuttlecock, particularly in a smash, will fly towards the eye at speeds bordering on the fantastic, and can cause blunt trauma, corneal abrasion, tears in the eyeball, lens dislocation, vitreous haemorrhage or even retinal detachment. Little courts and whipping racquets make it even worse. Sports goggles resistant to impact (polycarbonate glasses) are strongly advised, especially for children and people already wearing glasses. Regular glasses break upon impact and may aggravate the injury.

Football is another sport with a high incidence of accidental eye injuries. Elbows during headers, mistimed kicks and even the ball itself can cause corneal abrasions, swelling, bleeding within the eye or retinal damage. Players with vision in only one functional eye are at much greater risk due to challenges in depth perception. Wearing protective goggles can decrease the likelihood of severe damage, and children with existing eye problems must be seen by a doctor prior to participation in contact sports.

Hockey, where ball and stick move so quickly, is a potentially dangerous sport. In hockey, an eye injury can be brutal in its variety, from orbital fractures to torn-out eyeballs, occasionally even resulting in partial or total blindness. Polycarbonate face shields and visors are the ultimate protection, and should become mandatory for both goalkeeper and field players. Sadly, protective gear is often neglected in most schools and clubs, and so, awareness is crucial for this.

Basketball causes injuries differently -- by unintentional poking of the eye in defence or rebound. These seemingly innocuous mishaps can end up causing corneal abrasions, hyphema (bleeding in the anterior chamber of the eye), or even retinal tears. Regular glasses should never be worn on the court, because they shatter on impact. Sports goggles, made to absorb impact, are the best option for players with or without prescriptive requirements.

Swimming, even though it is a non-contact sport, is not without risks to eye health. Chlorine in pool water removes the eye's natural protective coating, irritating, reddening and drying the eyes, and making them more susceptible to conjunctivitis and infection. Children and allergy sufferers will experience heightened discomfort. Proper-fitting swimming goggles make for straightforward and effective protection. Contact lenses should be avoided in swimming pools because they harbour bacteria and considerably enhance infection risk.

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In all sports, there are some golden rules that should be followed. Eye protectors must be of polycarbonate, which is impact-resistant and shatter-proof. Equipment needs to be replaced when scratched or ill-fitting since impaired protection is useless. Any eye injury, no matter how minor, must be considered as an emergency. Redness, distortion of vision, pain or light flashes after trauma are warning signs demanding immediate assessment by a doctor. For children, early habit formation around safety gear can prevent lifelong consequences.

In India, there is a tendency to invest in good bats, racquets and shoes but not in protective eyewear. Yet one injury can undo a lifetime of healthy vision. Sports should strengthen the body and spirit, not compromise eyesight.

When it comes to sports, the message is clear: play hard, play with passion -- but always play with protection.

(Dr. Simakurthy Sriram is CMO and consultant, vitreo-retina, Sankara Eye Hospital, Hyderabad. simakurthysriram@sankaraeye.com)

Sports eye safety: protecting your vision on the field