OCTOBER IS EYE INJURY PREVENTION AWARENESS MONTH

PRESS RELEASES   10/1/2020

Accidental eye injury is the leading cause of visual impairment in the United States. More than 1 million people suffer from eye injuries each year in the United States. Ninety percent of these injuries could have been prevented if the individual had been wearing appropriate protective eyewear (preferably, with polycarbonate lenses). Tips to Prevent Eye Injuries •In the house: When using household chemicals, read instructions and labels carefully, work in a well-ventilated area, and make sure to point spray nozzles away from you. Many chemicals are extremely hazardous and can permanently destroy the surface of your eyes, resulting in blindness. •In the workshop: Think about the work you will be doing and wear protective eyewear to shield your eyes from flying fragments, fumes, dust particles, sparks, ultraviolet and infrared radiation, and splashing chemicals. Many objects can fly into your eyes unexpectedly and cause injury. •In the garden: Put on protective eyewear before you use a lawnmower, power trimmer or edger, and be sure to check for rocks and stones as they can become dangerous projectiles if picked up from these machines. •In the workplace: Wear appropriate safety eyewear for your job. Many who suffer eye injuries each day don't think they need eye protection so they don't have appropriate eyewear for the job. •Around the car: Battery acid, sparks and debris from damaged or improperly jumpstarted auto batteries can severely damage your eyes. Keep protective goggles in the trunk of your car to use for those emergencies as well as everyday repairs. Prevention is the first and most important step in protecting your eyes from injuries, so be sure to protect your eyes with appropriate protective eyewear. If you do experience an eye injury, seek medical attention promptly. If you do sustain an eye injury, see an Eye M.D. (ophthalmologist) or visit the nearest emergency room right away, even if the injury seems minor at first. A serious eye injury is not always immediately obvious. Delaying medical attention can cause the damaged areas to worsen and could result in permanent vision loss or blindness. •Do not rub the eye. If any tissue is torn, rubbing may cause more damage. •Shield the eye from pressure or rubbing action by taping or securing the bottom of a foam cup or similar type of shield against the bones surrounding the eye (brow, cheek and bridge of nose). •Do not apply ointment or medication to the eye. These medications may not be sterile and could make the eye area slippery, which could slow the Eye M.D.'s examination. •To treat cuts or punctures to the eye, bandage the eye without any pressure and seek emergency medical care immediately. Do not attempt to wash the eye or remove any object stuck in the eye. A paper cup held over the injured eye can help protect it until you can get to your Eye M.D. or emergency room. •In case of a chemical burn to the eye, immediately flush the eye with clean water and seek emergency medical treatment right away. •To treat a blow to the eye, gently apply a small cold compress to reduce pain and swelling, but don't apply any pressure. Remember that even a light blow can cause a significant eye injury. If a black eye, pain or visual disturbance occurs even after a light blow, immediately contact your Eye M.D. or emergency room. •To treat sand or small debris in the eye, use eyewash to flush the eye out. Do not rub the eye. If the debris doesn't come out, lightly bandage the eye and see an Eye M.D. or visit the nearest emergency room. •Avoid giving aspirin, ibuprofen or other non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs. These drugs thin the blood and may increase bleeding. Also, the pain associated with an eye injury is often excruciating and a non-prescription medication may not help. Do not delay help by waiting for a painkiller to take hold. Go directly to an Eye M.D. or emergency room. For more information on Eye Injury Prevention, please visit medem.com To schedule an appointment with Medical Center Clinic’s Eye Institute, please call 850.474.8436. Information provided by www.medem.com