Ninety percent of eye injuries can be prevented with appropriate eye protection.
Many people perform their daily chores without even thinking about the risk of an eye injury. Well, considering 50 percent of all eye injuries occur at home, you may want to think about increasing your eye protection around the house.
The most ordinary activities, such as cooking, cleaning, home improvement projects and yard work can cause an eye injury that may result in temporary or even permanent vision loss.
However, 78 percent of people report not wearing any type of protective eyewear while performing these tasks.
Eye doctors recommend that every household have a pair of protective eyewear that can be worn during activities that pose a risk to your eye health. These specialized glasses or goggles are made from impact-resistant polycarbonate or trivex material that is highly durable, and offers the protection you need to keep your eyes safe from injury.
If you suspect you have an eye condition, contact an eye doctor near you, who can diagnose and treat the condition.
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According to studies, up to 40 percent of eye injuries occur while working in the yard or performing home improvement projects.
Lawnmowers and power tools have warning signs written all over them, and for good reason. When operating this type of machinery, it is important to protect yourself from any potential hazard that could result in an injury.
Protective eyewear is one of the first things you should grab off your shelf or workbench before beginning any type of project — even if you just plan on mowing your lawn.
Blades of grass, sawdust, and other types of debris can fly through the air at a speed that can cause real damage if it hits your eye, and can even result in vision loss.
It is also important to remember to protect your eyes when handling any type of chemical or cleaning product.
While many household chores may appear innocuous, an estimated 125,000 eye injuries occur each year from toxic chemicals and cleaning products.
Many different types of eye injuries can be prevented by simply remembering to wear protective eyewear and following certain safety guidelines.
The 6 do’s and don’ts of household chores
DO
- DO wear safety glasses or goggles when operating any type of power tool.
- DO remove sticks, pine cones, glass, or pieces of plastic that can fly in the air before mowing your lawn or trimming your hedges.
- DO read instructions and warning labels on all cleaning and chemical products before use.
- DO wear protective eyewear and gloves when handling chemical products.
- DO wash your hands thoroughly after using any type of cleaning or chemical product.
- DO keep a pair of safety goggles in your kitchen to protect your eyes while chopping onions, garlic, hot peppers etc.— if these vegetables can make your eyes tear without any contact, imagine what can happen if you accidentally rub your eyes while handling them?
DON’T
- DON’T operate any type of power tool when children or unprotected bystanders are in close proximity.
- DON’T perform any type of home improvement project or yard work without proper eye protection.
- DON’T keep chemicals or cleaning products within a child’s reach.
- DON’T touch your eyes or face while handling chemicals or cleaning products.
- DON’T mix chemical products.
- DON’T rub your eyes if your hands are dirty.
Following these safety tips can significantly reduce your chances of sustaining an eye injury at home.
Practicing these tips consistently will not only protect your eyes and vision, but will also help you to educate your children on the importance of eye protection, even while performing day-to-day activities.
LEARN MORE: Guide to Eye Exams
Schedule an appointment with an eye doctor for a comprehensive eye exam, and to discuss any questions you may have about treating your eye condition.
