Eye Injuries: How to Prevent Them

July has officially been designated as Eye Injury Prevention Month, and the American Academy of Ophthalmology has come up with some useful eye safety tips for your everyday life:

• Check for rocks and debris before mowing the lawn or trimming the hedges. And don’t forget to wear goggles.
• Wear eye protection when using bungee cords, as these are a common cause of severe eye injuries.
• Buy safe toys for kids, avoiding those with sharp edges.
• Never use fireworks. Even sparklers burn hot enough to melt gold.
• Keep a pair of safety glasses or goggles with your jumper cables and follow instructions carefully when jump-starting a dead car battery.
• Be careful with household chemicals, since many can burn your eyes’ delicate tissue.
• Always wear appropriate eye protection when playing sports.
• Have fun in the sun, but always wear sunglasses when outdoors for extended periods of time.

Eye injuries of all types occur at a rate of more than 2,000 per day. And according to experts, simply taking a few precautions and wearing proper safety glasses can prevent more than 90 percent of reported eye injuries.

When it comes to eye injuries, early detection and treatment is key to maintaining good vision at every stage of life. If you have any eye injury, contact your eye care practitioner immediately for advice. In extreme circumstances such as a penetrating eye injury, vision loss or eyelid lacerations, seek immediate medical attention.

All eye injuries should be treated as potential emergencies, so do not hesitate to contact your eye doctor immediately. You only get one pair of eyes, so be sure you do everything you can to protect yours!