Eye Safety Article

ExcelLehi — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 16:56:55 GMT

Preventing Eye Injuries

Here in Utah, we are surrounded with abundant activities that can lead to serious eye injuries. While we often don’t think about it until it is too late, there are many simple ways we can all help prevent eye injuries.

Dr. Aaron Smalley of Excel Eye Center, an ophthalmologist (eye M.D.) who practices in Lehi, notes that many eye injuries occur during sports activities or other recreation. According to data from www.GetEyeSmart.org, a public service web site of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, more than 40 percent of eye injuries are related to sports or recreational activities and more than 50 percent of all eye injuries occur in and around the home. Fortunately, wearing appropriate protective eyewear can prevent around 90 percent of all serious eye injuries.

Here are some simple tips on preventing eye injuries, wherever you or your family may go:

Wear appropriate protective eyewear during sporting activities. Everyday sunglasses and prescription glasses can cause severe eye injuries if damaged or broken during sporting activities and should not be worn for sports. For detailed information on types of eyewear appropriate for specific sporting activities, please visit http://www.geteyesmart.org/eyesmart/injuries/eyewear.cfm.

Have at least one pair of ANSI-approved protective eyewear in your home for use during projects and activities that may involve a risk of injury. (ANSI-approved protective eyewear is manufactured to meet the American National Standards Institute eye protection standards.)

Activities around the home that are known to increase the risk for eye injuries include:

Using hazardous products such as oven cleaner and bleach

Cooking foods can that can splatter hot grease or oil

Drilling screws or hammering nails into walls or hard surfaces such as brick or cement where the screws or nails can become projectiles

Using hot objects such as curling irons around the face; inadvertent contact with the user’s eyes can cause serious injury

Mowing the lawn and using a power trimmer or edger

Clipping hedges and bushes

Using any power or hand tools

Working with solvents or other chemicals

Any task that can produce fragments, dust particles or other eye irritants

Securing equipment or loads with bungee cords or similar elastic materials that can snap back suddenly and hit the eye

For all of these activities, it is important to remember that bystanders also face significant risk, particularly children who watch their parents perform routine chores in and around the home. Bystanders should wear eye protection as well or leave the area where the chore is being done.

Follow your eye doctor’s recommendations regarding proper wearing and caring for contact lenses. Improper cleaning, storage and wearing contact lenses may lead to serious eye infections that could cause permanent vision loss. Replace lenses in the recommended time frame and avoid any overnight wear of contacts to minimize the risk of infection. If you think your contact lenses are causing problems, see your eye doctor promptly for an evaluation.

Protect young children from serious eye injuries. Provide adequate supervision and instruction when your children handle potentially dangerous items, such as pencils, scissors, forks and penknives. Avoid projectile toys such as darts, bows and arrows, and missile-firing toys. Do not allow your children to play with non-powder rifles, pellet guns or BB guns. Keep all chemicals and sprays, such as sink cleaners or oven cleaners, out of reach of small children. Do not allow children anywhere near fireworks, especially bottle rockets.

"If someone experiences an eye injury, it’s important to see an ophthalmologist right away," says Dr. Smalley. "Ophthalmologists can help determine the best treatment."

For more information, visit Excel Eye Center online at www.ExcelEyeCenter.com, or contact Dr. Smalley’s office at:

Excel Eye Center of Lehi

(801) 341-6200

220 North 1200 East, Suite 101

Lehi, UT 84043

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