CHICAGO (Aug. 16, 2006) – When Jackie Stillmaker, age 17, went swimming three years ago with her contact lenses in, she never thought her eyes could be permanently damaged.

Like many of us, she didn’t know she was at risk for a blinding eye infection, Acanthamoeba keratitis, a condition where a microscopic, water-borne parasite became trapped beneath her contact lens. The parasite infected her cornea for two years. Jackie endured three corneal transplants to eradicate this parasite from her eye.

“Before this happened to Jackie, I had never even heard of Acanthamoeba keratitis much less known how to prevent it,” said Mary Beth Stillmaker, Jackie’s mother. “Once her doctors were able to diagnose the problem, so much damage had already been done.”

The American Academy of Ophthalmology estimates that there are 40,000 sports related eye injuries to Americans every year. In fact, the American Academy of Ophthalmology estimates that there are 40,000 sports related sports related eye injuries to Americans every year. In fact, in 2005, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates that there were more than 2,400 eye injuries from swimming alone.

But, swimming is not the only sport that can be dangerous to eyes. The CPSC also estimates that 4,905 Americans had eye injuries related to basketball (the highest of any sport) and 2,747 eye injuries from baseball.

Prevent Blindness America, the nation’s oldest volunteer eye health and safety organization, has dedicated September as Sports Eye Health and Safety Awareness Month to educate the public on how to make sure their eyes are safe while playing sports. “It is so important to remember to make eye protection part of the game plan,” said Daniel D. Garrett, senior vice president of Prevent Blindness America. “And because design has improved so much over the years, goggles and face shields now come in a variety of styles that won’t impair your performance.”

Up to 90 percent of all sports-related eye injuries can be prevented just by wearing the proper eye protection. Lenses should be made of polycarbonate and have an American Society of Testing Materials (ASTM) label, indicating they meet the standards of the ASTM for the specific sport. 800-331-2020 or visit www.preventblindness.org.

2 Kings 6:17 (New International Version)
And Elisha prayed, "O LORD, open his eyes so he may see."
Then the LORD opened the servant's eyes,
and he looked and saw the hills full
of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.