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UAB baseball player benefits from emergency care after eye injury

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UAB Blazers baseball player Leo Harris experienced a frightening eye injury in fall 2020 when he was hit by a fast ball. The positive outcome of Harris’ ordeal is a lesson on the importance of seeking immediate attention from an eye care professional after an eye injury. Treatment options and effectiveness can vary greatly the longer an eye injury goes untreated. (Ken Shepherd / UAB)

American Optometric Association statistics show that about 90 million Americans participate in sports. With any sport, players must assume the risk of injury, whether it be broken bones, torn ligaments or damaged muscles. But what happens when a sports injury affects an athlete’s ability to see?

University of Alabama at Birmingham baseball player Leo Harris found out firsthand the importance of seeking immediate eye care after a sports-related eye injury.

A native of Biloxi, Mississippi, Harris has played baseball since he was 5 years old. Harris played at St. Martin High School in Ocean Springs, where he was an honor student and ranked by Perfect Game as the No. 3 shortstop and No. 21 overall player in his home state.

After high school, he continued his education and athletic career at UAB.