Approximately one million eye injuries occur each year in the United States and ninety percent of these injuries are preventable. July is eye injury prevention month so we’re here to give you the facts on prevention and what you can do to avoid common injuries.
More than 40 percent of eye injuries reported occurred during common activities such as, home repairs, yard work, cleaning, and cooking. In an effort to avoid these injuries from happening, people should practice the following precautions:
- In the house: read instructions and labels on household chemicals. Many chemicals are extremely hazardous and can permanently destroy the surface of your eyes, resulting in blindness.
- In the workshop/outdoors: wear protective eye-ware to shield your eyes from flying fragments, fumes, dust particles, sparks, and splashing chemicals.
- 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 and use them for emergencies or everyday repairs.
Over time, the sun can also take a toll on your eyes. Studies show that exposure to bright sunlight may increase the risk of developing cataracts, age-related macular degeneration, and growths on the eye, including cancer. Sunglasses should be worn anytime you spend an extended period of time in the outdoors. The sunglasses you wear should have 97-100% UV protection.
Information from usarpac.army.mil