[h=3]http://www.contactlenses.co.uk/cont...uld-protect-against-eye-injuries.html?catid=2 28.02.2012 By Alexa Kaczka People can help to limit their chances of suffering an eye injury while playing sport by investing in protective eyewear, one specialist has pointed out. Dr Rupesh Agrawal, associate ophthalmology consultant from Tan Tock Seng Hospital in Singapore, said he has seen many cases of people being brought in for treatment because they have failed to use proper protective equipment. He told Gulf News that games such as baseball and hockey are especially risky, particularly as many children play these sports, and so parents must ensure that little ones always put on helmets or goggles. "In addition, injuries sustained during badminton and squash when the ball or the cork hits the eyes are also generally severe. Unfortunately however, players do not wear any protective gear while playing such sports," the expert said. The expert specifically recommended the use of polycarbonate, wraparound goggles when playing sports, as these can offer maximum protection for both the eyes and the eye sockets. The key reason why eye injuries are so prevalent is because many people do not take any precautions, even though they are so easy to implement in the majority of cases, the expert concluded.[/h]
Good idea, but as mentioned it has a long way to go towards acceptance. Probably needs the pros to show the way and the likes of Oakley/Yonex to come up with some flash marketing before it will gain attention.
Old news... a repetitive story. I've been hearing this since the mid 80's. I think a better story for our publicity doc from Singapore is why don't more people wear protective shields. Does the guy play badminton or squash himself?
While I've seen squash players wearing goggles, I've not seen any badminton player doing so. But as stated, some unfortunate badminton players do sustain severe eye injuries and have to give up the game forever. To such players if they have worn a protective goggle, it would have saved them a lot of suffering. I wear normal plastic spectacles when playing and on a few occasions I was knocked on the face with my partner's racket. I suppose without my specs, I would have suffered more. Of course the goggle would have been more secure. My ex-neighbour who suffered permanent injury to his left eye, I think, did not wear glasses when he played. He has given up badminton for good. So it has to be a habit-forming behaviour just like when we will always wear a pair of shoes when playing. They say "Prevention is better than cure". Maybe there are good light-weight goggles in the market right now?
I never really considered this to be honest, but Loh does have a good point. I had one really close call in the past when I was going for a rearcourt shot in doubles though my partner at the time tried to back up to hit a smash and you can imagine what happened. He drew his racket back and it hit me square in between the eyes on my nose. Had he hit an eye, it could have easily caused permanent eye damage with such force from a racket directly on an eye, even with the eyelid closed. edit: As such, there's a much bigger danger in doubles than there is in singles because in doubles you have a partner on court where as for singles, it's a much smaller chance that the opponent smashes you directly in the eye when he kills the bird (you probably would turn your back or at least your face from instinct anyways).
I really have never given any thoughts to this potential risk until I've watched the olympic 2004 final where I've found a comment that the finalist SHON had an eye handicap! Thanks to this forum, there are further details known: http://www.badmintoncentral.com/for...aufik-Hidayat-or-Shon-Seung-Mo-for-GOLD/page5 - My respect to him for his silver medal with this handicap (and feet injury)! The potential risk to be hit by the shuttle in the eye that badly to get serious damage on it, is really not to underestimate. Especially if it really happens. That would makes your life completely different... :-S And this problem does not only exist when pro players are on the courts. Also beginners with enough strength but totally worse technique are able to put someone at this risk... For example: Recently my girlfriend has been hit between her eyes because the opponent was a beginner, had the strength but wasn't able to control his smashes. You can imagine how painful it can be to get a full smash on your nose... Luckily the shuttle didn't hit her eyes... I don't wanna image what I would have done against the opponent, which was also a friend of mine. But just in a distant way... Well, I just wanted to keep this thread updated and sensibilize some members more! Take care, people! Even if you're playing badminton!
yep that's why i still wear glasses on court instead of contacts...it has saved me a few times from being hit squarely in the eye and the same goes for a few of my other friends who luckily were wearing glasses too
Eye injuries are very real but often not recognized until too late. Guess being an eye-glasses wearer is not such a bad thing after all. I have been saved a few times over the years.
I've only been hit in the eye once...but had a couple of near misses. Perhaps if our pro players start wearing protective eye gearing, we'll see a change. In fact, it could be a whole new industry!
I can understand why folks who don't usually wear glasses are not keen to have something on their face. But there is no denying that eyes are vulnerable in projectile sports .... and that the damage is often irreparable. Eye protection is mandatory here for Junior players, so kids are used to it from a young age. The same sort of debate happened with hockey in the 1960's. Goalies complained that that they might lose sight of the puck if they were forced to wear a mask to protect their face from the rock hard pucks and razor sharp skates.
Yes I think it is more effective to mandate the wearing of goggles or other types of eye protection wear on kids in schools for badminton. It is nowadays very encouraging to see kids being padded up and wearing helmets when they cycle or skate. The habit should start from young. As the eyes are one of the most important organs, to protect them from injuries arising from accidents in the badminton court is most essential. I wish coaches will make it mandatory for all their trainees as safety is a necessary requirement in coaching. Somehow swimmers are quite used to wearing goggles when they train or compete. The risk of being hit on the eye is higher in badminton I think. All the more badminton players should safeguard their vision.
2 years ago, I got smashed in the right eye by a shuttlecock at close range and spent 5 days in the hospital. Although my injured eye has recovered its field of vision, there is some permanent damage - it can no longer auto focus (AF) or auto exposure (AE). My doctor advised me to wear eye protection if I should persist in playing badminton - in order to protect both my bad eye and my remaining good eye. Anyway, I want to share that eye protection need not be costly or unwieldy or unsightly. The ones I bought below are all under USD10 each and are made of lightweight shatter-proof polycarbonate. My first one was bought at a night market. Looks like something a cyclist might wear when racing in low light condition. This is the best looking of the lot. My second one was bought at the hardware section of a hypermarket. Probably meant for a carpenter to wear at work. This is the sturdiest of the lot and survived being stepped upon. My third one was bought from a eyewear cart in a shopping mall. I think it is meant for people working in laboratories and handling hazardous materials that may splatter. This is the least obvious (nearly invisible) of the lot. It is the flimsiest but also the lightest. It lacks silicone nose rest and silicone temple rests but still fits well on me. I'd like to add that every few months I still get hit in the eyes area while playing badminton (especially in doubles).
Thank you Joey for your contribution and personal testimony of your experience. I just hope that BC members who do not currently wear glasses will seriously consider to wear suitable eye protectors when playing badminton. Not only can they avoid serious injury to the eye from flying shuttlecocks but also from being accidentally hit by their partners. It may mean permanent damage or blindness to the eye that will inadvertently adversely affect one's work, study or play.
I'm almost blind from my right eye (90% vision loss) and I don't wear any eye protection. I'm definitely being stupid. I play mostly with lousy recreational players (like me), whose smash is not very strong, but not always... Can't I use my normal prescription glasses? I don't think they will fall off.
^^ Your normal prescription glasses will do fine as eye protection for badminton. For squash, definitely need sturdier eye protection as those pictured several posts above.
My coach sometimes wears protective glasses but that's only when he's training studetns and standing reallyi close. I'd imagine that many people will have the common sense to dodge the bird if it were going for the face. I admit to having been hit in the eye before but that was my own fault haha
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1041298/ Serious eye injury in badminton players. S. P. Kelly Department of Ophthalmology, Leicester Royal Infirmary. Abstract Serious eye injury can occur in badminton players and may become more frequent. The causes and nature of such injuries in this sport in six patients are discussed. All were playing competitive doubles matches. Penetrating eye injury due to a shattered glass spectacle lens occurred. Players should be advised not to wear spectacles with glass lenses. Ocular protection in this sport is desirable, and the forward player should hold the racket in front of the face.
