Eye injuries can have potentially devastating consequences, and because they can occur virtually anywhere — at home, work or during contact sports — everyone is at risk. At Island Eye Surgicenter, our eye doctors take eye safety very seriously. Here, we share our top tips for preventing eye injuries.
Eye Safety at Home
Two common reasons for at-home eye injuries are accidents that occur during household projects and falls (the latter is especially common among older adults and individuals with low vision).
When performing household projects:
- Wear safety goggles to protect your eyes from flying debris, dust, chemicals and other hazards.
- Use safeguards on all electrical equipment.
- Wear protective goggles when using a lawnmower and other heavy machinery.
- Wash your hands after using cleaning products and chemicals.
If you have vision problems, consider taking the following steps to reduce the risk of falls and other accidents in your home:
- Get rid of clutter and clear pathways.
- Install lights and handrails on stairs, in the shower and dim-lit areas in your home.
Eye Safety in the Workplace
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 20,000 workplace eye injuries occur each year. Here are tips to safeguard your eyes from work-related injuries:
- Identify all eye safety hazards.
- Eliminate hazards or minimize their danger by using machine guarding and following all safety protocols.
- Wear face masks and safety goggles when handling large equipment, tools, chemicals or other dangers.
Eye Safety During Contact Sports
Sports-related accidents account for a large number of eye-related emergency room visits every year. Experts estimate that up to 90 percent of all eye injuries can be prevented by wearing protective eyewear. Be sure to wear protective glasses or goggles when playing contact sports and when swimming. Wearing a helmet with a polycarbonate face mask can also reduce the risk of injury during high-impact sports.
Sun-Related Eye Safety
Eye damage and disease can also occur as a result of overexposure to the sun. Safeguard your eyes from the sun by wearing sunglasses with 100 percent UV protection, even on cloudy days. Wraparound sunglasses offer the best protection. Avoid staring directly at the sun.
For more tips and information on preventing eye-related injuries, schedule an appointment with Island Eye Surgicenter by contacting our Long Island office today.
