Smart Players Protect Their Eyes

Dr. Tom Pashby has been keeping track of sports-related eye injuries since 1972. His statistics show that Ice hockey accounted for 34 per cent of all eye injuries over the past 25 years. Raquet sport are the second most common cause of eye injuries, at 28 per cent. War games, which are relatively new, have resulted in 75 eye injuries, including 32 blindings; none of the injured players was wearing the eye protectors provided.

Most of these injuries could have been prevented if the player had been wearing protective equipment.

In the late '70s the Canadian Hockey Association ruled that all minor league players must wear helmets and face masks certified by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA). In 1981, the Canadian Hockey League made the same rule for its junior hockey players. But only half of the hockey players in Canada fall under CHA or CHL jurisdiction.

Helmets and face protectors are not mandatory for most adult recreational players, but that doesn't mean these players are immune to injury. Moreover, insurers of organized teams may not cover injuries of players not wearing appropriate protective equipment.

Statistics clearly show that wearing protection prevents eye injuries. In the 1974-75 season, before minor hockey players were required to wear face masks, there were 258 eye injuries including 43 blinded eyes; the average age of a player suffering an eye injury was 14. In the 1992-93 season 31 players reported eye injuries, including four blinded eyes; the average age had risen to 33. In the 1996-96 season, only 12 eye injuries were reported, including three blinded eyes.

A total of 298 eyes have been blinded since 1972. Not one of these injuries was suffered by a player wearing a Canadian Standards Association (CSA) certified full-face protector. However, during the past four hockey seasons, seven players suffered a blinding injury while wearing certified visors (half shields). In all cases, it is suspected the visors were not properly positioned. Helmets must be secured to the head by a taut chin cup, not a loose neck strap.

The fact the big leagues have not made such equipment mandatory sets a very bad example for the public. Some professional hockey players won't wear proper eye and face protection. They claim the gear is restrictive and could interfere with their performance. In the NHL alone, players not wearing a shield account for 95 per cent of all eye and face injuries requiring treatment.

The Canada Safety Council recommends that hockey players of all ages, whether organized or not, wear a CSA-certified helmet and visor to protect the head and eyes.

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