Prevention of Sports-Related Eye Injuries and the Long-Term Quality of Life and Performance of Athletes: A Narrative Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12775/QS.2026.72.74868Keywords
eye injuries, sport, sports medicine, quality of life, eye protection, injury prevention, complianceAbstract
Introduction: Optimal functioning of the visual system is key in competitive sport; however, eye injuries are the second most common cause of injury among athletes, constituting a risk of permanent impairment of performance and quality of life (QoL). The aim of this narrative review is to systematise knowledge on the aetiology of eye injuries in sport, available prevention strategies, and barriers to the utilisation of personal protective equipment.
Materials and Methods: A comprehensive literature search across PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar was conducted to identify relevant publications. The gathered evidence was evaluated using a narrative synthesis approach, focusing primarily on original studies that provided epidemiological data and insights into athletes' use of protective equipment.
Results: The highest risk rates are recorded in racket sports, team sports and combat sports. Although certified polycarbonate protective equipment is estimated to prevent approximately 90% of injuries, the sporting environment is characterised by the so-called ‘athlete’s paradox’ – an extremely low rate of compliance with protective recommendations. This phenomenon is credited to ergonomic barriers (fogging, subjective restriction of the field of view) and socio-cultural barriers (fear of stigmatisation). The current literature also reveals methodological gaps, including, above all, a shortage of longitudinal studies that track long-term complications and quality-of-vision (QoV) parameters in former athletes.
Conclusions: Ophthalmic injuries entail significant physical, psychosocial and economic burdens. Overcoming behavioural barriers demands implementing top-down, systemic regulations mandating the use of protective eyewear (particularly in junior leagues), standardising medical records, and closely collaborating with materials engineering to optimise the user experience (UX) of protective equipment.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Kalina Kreft, Maja Kowalczyk, Magdalena Wolff, Agata Sobczak, Lena Głuszkiewicz, Anna Waldman
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