Paintball Shown To Lead To Severe Eye Injuries

Paintball fights can lead to paint ball-related eye injuries, which researchers have found to be frequently severe.

Examples of really severe injuries include eye ruptures, which can actually lead to a loss of vision.

These injuries are not common in organized and commercial venues where participants are required to wear protective eyewear.

But eye injuries from paintball have been on the increase in recent years, and games played outside of organized, commercial venues seem to carry the biggest risk.

In fact, recent studies have shown that all eye injuries resulting from paintball fights have come from unorganized paintball shootings.

According to lead researcher Dr. Kyle J. Alliman, of the University Of Miami Miller School Of Medicine, “Eye injuries secondary to high-velocity paintballs can cause tremendous damage to vital ocular structures often requiring extensive surgical intervention.” More terrifyingly, this vision loss is often permanent.

The most common threats to the eye are:

  • Dust and dirt
  • Tree branches
  • Flying debris from on the site construction
  • Ultraviolet light
  • Irritants and corrosive materials

Protecting the eye

If you feel that you are going to be in a situation where small particles are flying through the air rapidly like during a paintball fight or on a construction site, be sure to wear protective glasses that cover your eyes.

Avoid spraying irritants and corrosive materials in your eyes. If you are working with these materials, try to work in an open area in order to allow particles to disperse.

Wear brown or yellow sunglasses whenever you can to protect your eyes from ultra-violet light. Also, be sure to visit an optometrist on a regular basis to make sure that your eyes are healthy.

Treating an injured eye

If your eye is cut, avoid rubbing your eye and wash your eye as well as you can while exerting pressure. If you have a bump on your eye, apply cool pressure to your eye.

For particles embedded in your eye, avoid trying to remove the particle. With chemical splashes, immediately start washing your eyes out.

In all cases, you should get medical treatment as soon as possible to minimize the chances that you will lose eyesight permanently.

Other good things for your eyes

Avoid reading when there is poor lighting. Be sure to eat foods that are rich in Vitamin A and Omega-3.

Use eye drops on a regular basis. Avoid eye strain by taking breaks when you are spending long periods of time staring at something.

Also, try to be generally healthy. Since your eyes are also a part of your body, they are also affected by whether or not you get plenty of nutrients, rest, exercise and stress relief.