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:

1. 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.
2. 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.)

• 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

1. 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.
2. 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: