Protect Your Eyes

Eye injuries are fairly common happening not only in the summer time but year round. Did you know that their are approximately one million eye injuries in the United States each year?? Many of these can be prevented if proper steps and precautions were taken. The leading cause of eye injuries include

• sports
• fireworks
• yard and workshop debris
• household chemicals

Work around the house can cause great eye damage if protection is not used. Yard work such as mowing the yard , trimming the weeds and using the leaf blower can throw dust and debris into the air. If the dust or debris blows into the eyes it can cause eye injury damage. Likewise, using household chemicals to clean the house can lead to damage. These chemicals include but are not limited to drain cleaners, bleach, oven cleaners and battery acid. If any of these chemicals splash into the eye injuries can take place. 

Wearing appropriate safety equipment can help you prevent eye injuries that may occur. Safety goggles should be worn whenever you are working with chemicals, in a workshop or when doing outdoor chores.

Perhaps, the worst damage to your eyes is exposure to bright sunlight. This may lead to risk of developing cataracts, age related macular degeneration or growths on the eye which may include cancer. It is important to wear sunglasses with 97 to 100 % UV protection whenever spending time outside. Sunglass styles that wrap around the temples will help to prevent sun's rays from entering the sides as well.

WebMD suggest:

• wearing safety glasses, goggles or face shields when hammering nails or metal work with power tools or chemicals. Knowing how to flush hazardous chemicals out of ones eyes if it may occur as well as knowing the location of nearest shower or sink.
• whenever welding is going on wearing a mask or goggles that are designed especially for welding
• wear protective eyewear when participating in sports such as hockey, racquetball or paintball. Did you know that baseball is the most common sport to cause eye injuries?? In fact, a laid back sport such as fishing has its risk of eye injuries. 

Toys have been known to cause a high amount of eye injuries in children. Sharp or pointed parts, elastic cords are just a few things that cause eye injury. Be a good role model for your children by always wearing proper eye protection. Eye protection wear should be available for your child as well. Children should be taught that flying toys should never be pointed at another person