October is Eye Injury Prevention Month, a time to focus on protecting your eyes and maintaining a lifetime of healthy vision. The easiest way to prevent 90 percent of eye injuries is to wear the proper protective eyewear at home, at work and at play.
Preventing eye injury at home
A common misperception is that most eye injuries occur on the job. Yet medical statistics show that nearly half of all eye injuries each year happen in and around the home, with home-based injuries increasing each year.
Many of those injuries could have been prevented, as is evidenced by the responses to a recent public survey commissioned by the American Academy of Ophthalmology:
“Less than half of survey respondents mentioned the home — especially the yard or garage — as the most common site of serious eye injury. Only 35 percent of those surveyed always wear protective eyewear when doing home repair or projects.”
Not surprisingly, leading eye health organizations now recommend every household have at least one pair of American National Standards Institute (ANSI)-approved protective eyewear on hand for projects and activities that may present a risk. If you’re working around flying debris or projectiles, or handling hazardous chemicals, don those safety glasses and have bystanders do the same.
ANSI-approved protective glasses, goggles or face shields can be found in your local hardware store or home improvement center. Just look for eyewear marked with “ANSI Z87.1” on the lens or frame.
Guarding against eye injury at work
The same common-sense approach to preventing eye injury applies on the job. However, the specific eye protection required to work safely is set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Check with your human resources department for more about your company’s OSHA compliance.
Avoid being sidelined with an eye injury
No matter the sport, the appropriate safety glasses, goggles or face shield can protect against eye injury. On outdoor fields of play, guarding against vision-damaging glare and sunburn is imperative, and not just during the summer months. The bright winter sun shining on snow can create blinding glare and damage your eyes. So before you hit the slopes or get on that snowmobile, make sure you’re wearing glasses or goggles with UV protection. Studies show that sun exposure may increase the risk of developing cataracts.
Helping you maintain your optimal eye health and vision is our priority at Evergreen Eye Center. We are a recognized center of excellence for cataract surgery, and several of our board-certified doctors are distinguished as national leaders in surgical and specialty care.
From routine exams to the most advanced care available, contact us today or call 800-250-7978 to request an appointment.
