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Are squash players protecting their eyes?
R M Eime1, C F Finch, C A Sherman
1Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
Summary
Adult squash players exhibit low protective eyewear use. Future strategies must address knowledge gaps and vision restriction barriers to improve safety in this sport.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Ophthalmology
- Public Health
Background:
- Squash is a high-risk sport for eye injuries.
- Protective eyewear use among adult squash players is not well-documented.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify factors influencing protective eyewear behaviors in adult squash players.
- To assess the prevalence of protective eyewear use in this population.
Main Methods:
- A survey was administered to 303 adult squash players in Melbourne, Australia.
- Data collected included demographics, years of experience, eyewear use, and reasons for use/non-use.
Main Results:
- Only 18.8% of players reported using protective eyewear, with 8.9% using approved types.
- Age and years of experience were significantly associated with eyewear use.
- Personal eye injury history and risk awareness were key motivators, while vision restriction was a common barrier.
Conclusions:
- A low prevalence of appropriate protective eyewear use exists among adult squash players.
- Prevention strategies should prioritize education on risks and address barriers like vision impairment.
- Addressing misconceptions about effective eyewear is crucial for injury prevention.