The number of people playing has gone up a lot, by more than 150% in just three years. I really like playing pickleball, but more people getting into it means more injuries are happening. Usually, people think of getting hurt with twisted ankles or broken bones in pickleball. But now, there’s another worry: eye injuries are becoming more common.
Pickleball is a mix of table tennis, tennis, and badminton. You play on a smaller court with paddles and a plastic ball with holes in it. You usually play with four people, two on each team.
Risk of Injury
Because the game moves fast and the ball is small, there’s a bigger chance of hurting your eyes. The ball can fly really fast, and since players are so close together, accidents can happen. With newer and better paddles, the balls can fly up to 90 miles per hour. Sometimes, paddles hit the ball into someone’s face, or players bump into each other, making it more likely to hurt someone’s eyes.
Big-name people like Michelle Pfeiffer and Savannah Guthrie have talked about getting hurt playing pickleball, which shows how serious it can be. Even though we don’t have a lot of official data on eye injuries from pickleball yet, doctors are starting to talk about it more. They’re seeing all kinds of eye problems, from small scratches to serious stuff like detached retinas.
Eye Safety
It’s surprising that there aren’t rules about wearing special glasses to protect your eyes in pickleball. But soon, it might become necessary, just like it is in racquetball. Especially since many older folks play pickleball, and they might already have eye problems. So, it’s really important for everyone playing pickleball to think about eye safety.
Playing pickleball is fun and a great way to stay active and hang out with friends. But it’s super important to be careful, especially about your eyes. Wearing special glasses that are made to protect your eyes could make all the difference and keep pickleball a safe and enjoyable game for everyone.
Dr. Robert Haverly recently discussed eye safety during the upcoming 2024 solar eclipse in an interview with Erie News Now. He emphasized that ordinary sunglasses do not provide sufficient protection for your eyes during this event.
According to Dr. Haverly, the intensity of the sun’s rays during an eclipse requires specialized eyewear. He likened this to using sunscreen but specifically for our eyes. This special eyewear is designed to filter out the harmful radiation emitted during the eclipse, ensuring our eyes remain safe from potential damage.
Furthermore, Dr. Haverly highlighted the risks associated with not using proper eye protection. Without adequate safeguards, individuals may experience discomfort or, worse, permanent damage such as solar retinopathy.
To ensure a safe viewing experience, Dr. Haverly strongly advises against relying solely on regular sunglasses. Instead, he recommends investing in certified eclipse glasses or handheld viewers designed explicitly for this purpose. These specialized tools offer the necessary protection to enjoy the eclipse without putting our eyes at risk.
It’s crucial for everyone planning to watch the solar eclipse to prioritize their eye safety. By heeding Dr. Haverly’s advice and opting for the appropriate eyewear, you can avoid potential eye damage and fully appreciate the awe-inspiring event.
For more in-depth insights and guidance on eye safety during the 2024 solar eclipse, viewers are encouraged to watch Dr. Haverly’s interview on Erie News Now. Taking these precautions ensures a safe and enjoyable experience for all eclipse enthusiast.
Eclipses are wondrous spectacles where the sun, moon, and Earth align. Erie, Pennsylvania is going to be the place to be for the 2024 total solar eclipse! But beware, hidden within this cosmic phenomenon lies a threat that often goes unnoticed: the potential harm to your eyes. It is crucial to understand the risks and protect your eyes. As with most things, too much of a good thing is a bad thing. This applies to your eyes with eclipses as well.
In Erie, the eclipse is set to take place on April 8, 2024 just after 3:16 pm EDT. The downtown area will experience approximately 3 minutes and 42 seconds of totality, making it an exceptional location to witness this celestial event.
The danger of direct viewing during eclipses, whether solar or lunar, stems from intense sunlight that can damage retinas. Even a dimmed sun emits powerful invisible ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Gazing at it can cause solar retinopathy, harming retinal cells and leading to irreversible vision loss.
Protective eyewear is paramount. Regular sunglasses don’t shield against eclipse UV and infrared rays. Specialized eclipse glasses with solar filters adhere to ISO 12312-2 standards, ensuring safety. Remember, even cameras and telescopes need solar filters to prevent eye damage.
In our age of documenting everything on social media, risking vision for a snapshot is unwise. Using smartphones to photograph eclipses without protection can be as harmful as staring directly.
In conclusion, the forthcoming eclipse promises awe but harbors risks. Invest in certified eclipse glasses, recognize the sun’s power, and protect your eyes. On April 8, 2024, seize the eclipse’s beauty while safeguarding your sight.
How to safely watch the solar eclipse:
Carefully look at your solar filter or eclipse glasses before using them. If you see any scratches or damage, do not use them.
Always read and follow all directions that come with the solar filter or eclipse glasses. Help children to be sure they use handheld solar viewers and eclipse glasses correctly.
Before looking up at the bright sun, stand still and cover your eyes with your eclipse glasses or solar viewer. After glancing at the sun, turn away and remove your filter—do not remove it while looking at the sun.
The only time that you can look at the sun without a solar viewer is during a total eclipse. When the moon completely covers the sun’s bright face and it suddenly gets dark, you can remove your solar filter to watch this unique experience. Then, as soon as the bright sun begins to reappear very slightly, immediately use your solar viewer again to watch the remaining partial phase of the eclipse.
Never look at the uneclipsed or partially eclipsed sun through an unfiltered camera, telescope, binoculars, or other similar devices. This is important even if you are wearing eclipse glasses or holding a solar viewer at the same time. The intense solar rays coming through these devices will damage the solar filter and your eyes.
Talk with an expert astronomer if you want to use a special solar filter with a camera, a telescope, binoculars, or any other optical device.
For information about where to get the proper eyewear or handheld viewers, check out the American Astronomical Society. Here at Laser Eye Surgery of Erie, Inc., we will also have protective eyewear available in the near future.
After this eclipse, another total eclipse does not occur until on August 23, 2044, across the Americas. Enjoy these cosmic wonders responsibly while safeguarding your vision.
What is the difference between Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) and Laser Cataract Surgery? While both procedures improve and correct your vision in similar ways, they are surprisingly completely different. Both procedures can correct myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, but LASIK is corneal-based, and laser cataract surgery is lens-based.
LASIK vs. Laser Cataract Surgery: Understanding the Differences
Both LASIK and laser cataract surgery are laser-based procedures conducted under local anesthesia while you’re awake. Both procedures share quick completion times and minimal recovery requirements. However, their purposes and the conditions they address differ significantly.
Laser Cataract Surgery:
This procedure is recommended if you have cataracts whereby your eye’s natural lens has become clouded. Symptoms include blurred vision and difficulty reading. The process involves three main steps: preparation with eye drops and local anesthetic, removal of the cloudy lens, and replacement with an intraocular lens (IOL). This is performed with the precision of lasers. It’s important to note that laser cataract surgery also corrects astigmatism. The procedure is typically performed on one eye at a time.
LASIK Surgery:
Also known as Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis, LASIK corrects myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, and blurred vision by reshaping the cornea. It encompasses anesthetizing your eye with topical drops, creating a corneal flap with a femtosecond laser, reshaping the cornea using another laser, and replacing the corneal flap. LASIK is often performed on both of your eyes simultaneously.
When to Consider Each Procedure?
LASIK Surgery:
Consider LASIK if you’re experiencing myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, or blurred vision due to astigmatism, or if you desire reduced dependence on glasses or contact lenses.
Laser Cataract Surgery:
Consider this procedure if you experience symptoms such as clouded or blurred vision. You may also have difficulty seeing at night and sensitivity to light. Other symptoms of cataracts include needing bright light to read as well as halos around lights. Frequent changes in glasses prescription or fading/yellowing of colors can be symptoms of cataracts as well.
An eye exam with an eye doctor is important for accurate assessment and guidance. At Laser Eye Surgery of Erie, we can guide you as to the best course of treatment for your eyes.
Schedule Your Appointment with Laser Eye Surgery of Erie Today!
A Closer Look at National Glaucoma Awareness Month: Don’t Let Silence Steal Your Sight
January marks National Glaucoma Awareness Month, a time dedicated to highlighting the importance of understanding and preventing glaucoma. Known as the “silent thief of sight,” glaucoma can silently damage your vision without showing early signs. However, by staying informed and taking proactive steps, you can safeguard your eyesight.
Understanding Glaucoma
Glaucoma affects the optic nerve in your eyes, which is responsible for sending visual information to your brain. A primary indicator of this condition is elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). If this pressure remains unchecked over time, it can lead to irreversible damage to the optic nerve, resulting in vision loss.
Who’s at Risk?
It’s essential to recognize that glaucoma isn’t a rare condition; more than 3 million Americans currently live with it. Some groups face a higher risk, including African Americans, Latinos, and individuals with a family history of the disease. Since glaucoma often starts without noticeable symptoms, regular eye exams are crucial. Detecting it early can make a significant difference in preserving your vision.
The Importance of Early Detection
This Glaucoma Awareness Month, make it a priority to schedule a comprehensive eye examination. At Laser Eye Surgery of Erie, we utilize advanced technology to conduct thorough screenings for early signs of glaucoma and other eye-related issues. Three essential tests help determine if you might have glaucoma: measuring intraocular pressure (IOP), evaluating the appearance of the optic nerve, and conducting a visual field test, which assesses your peripheral vision.
Meet Our Dedicated Team
At Laser Eye Surgery of Erie, Dr. Haverly and his skilled team are committed to promoting early detection to prevent vision loss from glaucoma. Their expertise ensures that you receive top-notch care and guidance in managing this condition.
Conclusion and Continued Care
As we observe Glaucoma Awareness Month, let’s deepen our understanding of this condition and its implications. Remember, maintaining good eye health extends beyond this month’s observance. Regular eye exams remain essential for detecting potential issues early on and preserving our invaluable gift of vision.
