October is Eye Injury Prevention Month, making it a good time to think about how easily an eye injury can happen during everyday activities. A flying piece of debris while doing yard work, a chemical splash during a home improvement project or a ball traveling at high speed can cause significant damage in seconds.
The good news is that many eye injuries are preventable. One of the simplest ways to reduce your risk is to use appropriate protective eyewear for the activity you’re doing.
Home improvement projects are a common source of eye injuries. Drilling, sanding, cutting, painting and working with power tools can send dust, wood particles, metal fragments or other debris toward the eyes. Chemicals used for cleaning or home maintenance can also cause serious damage if they come into contact with the eye.
Regular eyeglasses do not provide the same protection as safety glasses or goggles. When completing a project that could produce flying debris or involve chemicals, wear protective eyewear designed for the task and make sure it fits securely.
Yard work can create similar risks. Mowing the lawn, trimming trees, using a leaf blower, or cutting branches can send small pieces of grass, dirt, wood or other debris into the air. Wearing protective glasses or goggles can help shield your eyes, and it is important to keep children and others at a safe distance from operating lawn equipment.
Sports are another common source of eye injuries, particularly activities involving balls, bats, racquets or sticks. Baseball, softball, basketball, hockey and racquet sports can all put athletes at risk. Protective sports eyewear made with polycarbonate lenses can help reduce the risk of serious injury and should be considered for children and adults participating in higher-risk activities.
Knowing how to respond when an injury occurs is just as important as preventing one. If a chemical gets into your eye, immediately flush it with clean water and continue rinsing for at least 15 minutes. If something becomes embedded in the eye, do not try to remove it yourself or rub the eye. Seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Other warning signs after an eye injury include persistent pain, redness, swelling, light sensitivity, new floaters or flashes, or any change in vision. Even when an injury initially seems minor, these symptoms can indicate a more serious problem that requires prompt evaluation.
Some eye injuries are obvious, but others may not be. A scratch on the surface of the eye, for example, can cause a persistent sensation that something is stuck in the eye. More significant trauma can damage structures inside the eye without causing dramatic changes to its appearance.
Protecting your eyes doesn’t require major changes to your routine. Keep safety glasses available for home projects, wear appropriate protection when playing sports and take extra care when using equipment that can create flying debris. These simple precautions can help prevent an accident from becoming a long-term vision problem.
Our eyes are involved in nearly everything we do, from working and completing projects to playing sports and enjoying time outdoors. Taking a few seconds to protect them can make a lasting difference in preserving your vision.
Kenzo J. Koike, M.D., is a board-certified, fellowship-trained ophthalmologist with Florida Eye Specialists, specializing in the medical and surgical management of complex cataracts and glaucoma, including minimally invasive glaucoma surgery. For more information, go to FloridaEyeSpecialists.com or call 904-564-2020.
