Does your child play baseball?  Find out how to avoid eye and facial injuries.

Ronald P. Danis, MD, reported that baseball is the most common cause of serious eye and facial injuries at the American Academy of Ophthalmology Meeting in Orlando.  This is especially problematic among players in youth leagues.  Even though protective gear is available, most children avoid it because they find it uncomfortable and embarrassing to wear, and some feel that it inhibits their game.  Plus, very few youth leagues have supported face shields. 

However, a study of 2,000 youth league players showed excellent acceptance of faceguards when fit properly.  More importantly, serious injuries were reduced by 30-40% among team members wearing faceguards. 

Some ophthalmologists have advocated using baseballs that are 20% softer than the conventional ones.  One study showed that experienced players were unable to distinguish between the two.  While the softer baseballs may compress the orbit slightly more, the study showed that they impacted the face with less force and therefore were less likely to rupture the eye.