Newswise — Basketball’s ranking as a leading cause of sports eye injuries was well established before female players emerged on the national stage, adopting a “look good, play well” attitude. The “tunnel fits” are undeniably awesome, but the extended nails and false eyelashes are putting female basketball players at an even higher risk for eye injuries on the court and possible sight-threatening infections, says the .
Every basketball season serves up examples of players suffering eye injuries from finger and elbow pokes to the eye, some severe enough to take them out of the game. Extended-length fingernails only add to the danger to players’ unprotected eyes.
The and prohibited “excessively long fingernails” in women’s college basketball. But there are no such prohibitions for women who play in the WNBA or for the men in the NBA and NCAA. It’s not just a concern for female athletes. Former NBA player .
is the best solution to prevent eye injuries. But let’s be real, most players still refuse eye protection. So, it’s even more important that players keep their nails short and clean, whether playing a pickup game in the neighborhood or for a championship on the national stage. If you do suffer an injury, have your eyes examined and follow your ophthalmologist’s advice.
The most common eye injuries basketball players experience include painful , , and . are less common, but this condition can lead to permanent vision loss if not treated promptly.
For those who wear false eye lashes, it’s important to follow proper hygiene because lash extensions can harbor bacteria and increase the risk of developing , a chronic inflammation of the eyelids. The adhesives used in eyelash extensions may also trigger an allergic reaction, causing inflammation and irritation.
If you have an allergic reaction or develop blepharitis, do not try to treat the reaction on your own. Doing so incorrectly may make the symptoms last much longer. Instead, have your eyes examined by an ophthalmologist immediately. Though there are no documented cases, extensions could possibly inflict additional damage in a collision on the court should the lashes get pushed into the eye.
The Academy also urges contact lens wearers to , despite the 20-second rule! The NCAA rule that says a player must come out of a game if they can't replace their contact lens within 20 seconds has led to some cringe-worthy scenes on the sidelines, as players pop them in their mouths or handle lenses with dirty hands. These behaviors can lead to serious, vision-threatening eye infections.
Always keep a spare set of contact lenses, , and hand sanitizer ready on the sidelines should a contact lens pop out. The Academy also recommends using to minimize risk of infection. And don’t be tempted to wear dailies for longer periods of time!
“Watching women’s basketball rise in popularity has been inspiring, but seeing them at increased risk for potentially devastating eye injures is heartbreaking,” said JoAnn Giaconi, MD, clinical spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology. “Opthalmologists want you to know that wearing eye protection, keeping nails short and clean, and following proper hygiene for lash extensions and contact lenses offer the best protection for everyone’s eyes.”
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