Professional athletes spend countless hours training to improve strength, speed, endurance, and performance. Yet one area of health often receives far less attention than it deserves: eye protection.
NBA player Trey Jemison III is helping shine a spotlight on sports eye safety after years of managing vision concerns and retinal health risks throughout his basketball career. His journey highlights how preventative eye care and protective eyewear can play an important role in helping athletes stay healthy and continue competing at the highest level.
While Jemison's story is unique, the broader message extends far beyond professional basketball. Eye injuries remain a significant concern across many sports, and experts continue encouraging athletes to take vision protection seriously.
When vision health becomes part of sports athletic performance
Jemison's relationship with eye care began long before reaching the NBA. During his time as a student-athlete at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, he received routine eye care through the university's sports medicine and vision care programs.
Like many athletes, he had a history of myopia, commonly known as nearsightedness. However, eye examinations revealed something more significant. His eye care providers identified areas of retinal thinning and small retinal holes that increased his risk of future complications.
Although the condition did not initially require protective eyewear, his doctors emphasized the importance of monitoring eye injuries closely because retinal damage can have serious consequences if left untreated.
For athletes participating in contact sports, even seemingly minor impacts around the eye can increase the risk of more significant vision problems over time.
Basketball carries a surprising eye injury risk
Many people associate sports eye injuries with activities such as baseball, hockey, or racquet sports. However, basketball consistently ranks among the leading causes of sports-related eye injuries.
Fast-paced play, close physical contact, and frequent hand movements around the face create opportunities for accidental eye trauma. Fingers, elbows, and collisions can all contribute to injuries ranging from corneal abrasions and orbital injuries to more serious retinal complications.
According to information cited in the UAB article, basketball remains the leading cause of sports-related eye injuries in the United States, with eye injury rates continuing to rise. This reality makes regular eye examinations especially important for athletes participating in competitive sports where eye contact injuries can occur unexpectedly.
“I know when you see better, you play better. And I know that protecting my eyes helps me play hard for my team.”
— Trey Jemison III
Prevention became the best strategy
After entering the NBA, Jemison experienced multiple incidents involving finger contact to the eye. Following further evaluations, doctors determined that the repeated trauma had increased his risk of retinal detachment.
Retinal detachment is a serious condition that can threaten vision and often requires urgent medical treatment. Given his existing retinal risk factors and repeated exposure to eye impacts, his care team recommended consistent use of protective eyewear during competition.
The decision was not based on correcting vision alone. Instead, it was a preventative measure designed to reduce the likelihood of future injury and help preserve long-term eye health.
Protective eyewear is often viewed as optional equipment, but for some athletes it can become an essential part of injury prevention.
Changing perceptions around sports eye safety
One of the biggest barriers to protective eyewear adoption in sports has traditionally been perception. Some athletes worry that eyewear may be uncomfortable, affect performance, or simply look out of place during competition.
However, attitudes continue to evolve as more athletes recognize the importance of protecting their vision. Modern sports eyewear is designed to be lightweight, durable, and compatible with high-performance athletic environments.
Stories like Jemison's also help reinforce that eye protection is not a sign of weakness or limitation. Instead, it reflects a commitment to long-term health, injury prevention, and peak performance. For many athletes, protecting vision may be just as important as protecting joints, muscles, or other parts of the body.
Why regular eye examinations matter
Not every athlete will have retinal thinning or an elevated risk of retinal detachment. However, Jemison's experience demonstrates why routine eye examinations remain an important part of overall sports health.
Comprehensive eye exams can identify underlying conditions before symptoms appear, allowing athletes and healthcare providers to make informed decisions about monitoring, treatment, and protective measures.
Early detection can be particularly valuable for individuals with myopia, previous eye injuries, family histories of retinal disease, or participation in sports where eye trauma is more common.
As awareness of sports eye safety continues growing, athletes at every level can benefit from understanding that protecting vision is not only about seeing clearly today, but also preserving eye health for the future.
Source: UAB News
Image courtesy of the New York Knicks and UAB News
