July - Eye Injury Prevention Month
More than one million people suffer from eye injuries each year. However, 90 percent of these eye injuries could have been avoided if preventative measures were taken.
According to Daniel D. Garrett, Prevent Blindness American (PBA) spokesperson, household items that are used everyday by millions of people can be potentially blinding if proper safety measures are not followed, especially in young children.
COMMOM HOUSEHOLD ITEMS (contributing to largest number of eye injuries):
• Household chemicals - cleaning fluids, detergents and ammonia
• Battery Acid
• Yard and Garden Debris
• Pens and Pencils
• Kitchen (flatware)
• Grooming Cosmetics
• Paper and Cardboard Products
FIREWORKS SAFETY
In terms of eye injuries, fireworks are considered one of the most dangerous activities. Each year, hundreds of people end up with eye injuries and burns from nonprofessional use of fireworks. Oddly enough, the majority of the victims are bystanders and children.
Fireworks statistics reveal:
• the highest injury estimates were for firecrackers (26%), rockets (21%) and sparklers (11%).
• almost half of the injuries were to children under age 15.
• sparklers can heat up to 1800 degrees Fahrenheit, hot enough to melt gold.
• bottle rockets can stray off course or throw shrapnel when they explode.
• parts of the body most often injured are the hands, eyes and head/face.
As recommended by Prevent Blindness American (PBA), enjoy the excitement and splendor of fireworks by attending a professional display. There is no safe way for nonprofessionals to use fireworks.
Facts on Eye Injury Prevention
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 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 check for rocks and stones because they can become dangerous projectiles as they shoot from these machines.
In the workplace … wear appropriate safety eyewear for your job. Many of the 2,000 injured each day didn't think they needed eye protection or were wearing eyewear inappropriate for the job. Don't forget the risk to bystanders when using machines.
Around the car … battery acid, sparks and debris from damaged or improperly jump-started auto batteries can severely damage your eyes. Keep protective goggles in the trunk of your car to use during those emergencies and on everyday repairs.
Eye Injury Treatment - Simple Precautions
- Wear safety goggles when working in the workshop or yard, jump-starting your car or working with cleaning or other chemicals.
- Always wear appropriate protective eyewear during sports and recreational activities. Your Eye M.D. can recommend the right eye protection for your sport.
- Fireworks can cause devastating injuries to users and bystanders. Never use them at home - attend only professional fireworks displays.
Eye Injury Treatment - Critical Steps for Minimizing Damage
Once an injury has occurred, these five, simple steps can save the injured person from losing their sight:
- Do not rub the eye. Rubbing the eye may increase bleeding or make the injury worse.
- Do not attempt to rinse out the eye. This can be more damaging than rubbing.
- Do not apply pressure to the eye itself. Holding or taping a foam cup to the eye is a safe technique. Protecting the eye from further contact with any item, including a child's hand, is the goal.
- Do not stop for medication! Over-the-counter pain relievers will not help much. Aspirin and ibuprofen can thin the blood , increasing bleeding. Take the injured individual to the emergency room at once.
- Do not apply ointment. Ointment, which may be sterile, makes the area surrounding the eye slippery and more difficult for the doctor to examine.
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