Protecting Your Eyes From Injury

Protecting Your Eyes From Injury

In relation to the rest of your body, your eyes are small. They come with an extensive set of protective features, including the thick bony areas of your skull (the orbit), eyebrows, eyelashes and the ever-protective eyelids that will want to close at the slightest inkling something may be heading towards your eyes. With all this going on, many people think that the risk of anything beating the eyes natural defences are slim. But eye injuries do happen regularly and from a range of sources too – with sometimes even the slightest injury causing irreversible damage that may lead to sight loss.

We only get two eyes - make sure you protect them!

Imagine being able to see perfectly well, but tomorrow you have an accident that leaves you partially sighted that now means you struggle to lead a normal life or even stop you from driving. Imagine still that the injury could have been avoided by wearing safety glasses or just observing other eye-safety tips.

A corneal abrasion caused by a metallic particle left this eye

in severe pain and very sensitive to light

Eye hazards are everywhere and most associate them with work. Such eye hazards at work may include airborne dust/wood/metal particles caught in a draught, chemical splashes, radiation (heat or ultraviolet sources) or even just from a use of your tools (pen/pencil or screwdriver in the eye – ouch!) Your employers should be aware of what hazards exist and can provide you with eye protection where required, but be sure to report any potential hazards you see. It is also your responsibility to wear them if instructed to do so!

Many injuries are caused by airborne particles, such as dust

They aren’t limited to the working environment either, there are thousands of eye hazards at home. Such hazards include mascara brushes and eyelash curlers (sharp/pointy objects that go close to the eye should be an obvious threat!), do-it-yourself accidents, prodding your eye with a fingernail (when rubbing the eye or handling your contact lenses) and even through accidents involving homebased cleaners and washing detergents. There have even been cases of eye injuries from children’s games and toys, as well as the odd wayward champagne cork.  Just exercising diligent care by being careful with make-up, not pointing objects towards the eyes and keeping short fingernails if you have contact lenses will help keep your eyes safer at home.

Everyday sharp objects such as pens and fingernails can

pose a serious risk to your eyes

Sports also cause a real threat to your eyes. A fast travelling squash ball or tennis ball can compress the eye and damage the bones surrounding. A paintball or BB pellet to the eye also doesn’t bare thinking about. If you are in a sport that uses any form of flying object or projectile, a pair of safety goggles or protective mask may be useful to wear. Your local optician will usually have a supply of safety goggles to try and your local optometrist and dispensing optician will be able to find the best one for your sporting needs.

Sports goggles may not look cool, but can save

you from a horrendous eye injury

 Any eye injury, no matter how small and insignificant you think it may be, should be examined by an optometrist – as even the smallest of injuries can lead to severe outcomes. If you treat every eye injury as a potential emergency appointment with us, it means we can get you the right help for when you need it, which can occasionally mean that we refer you on to see someone at your local eye hospital. If you are unable to see an optometrist due to their office being closed, you can head straight to your local accident and emergency department to be examined by an on-call ophthalmologist.

Eye injuries should be treated as an emergency -

get them checked out straight away

Exercising care around potential eye hazards, as well as wearing adequate eye protection will minimise your need for these appointments and will keep those precious eyes safe for another day! If you are concerned about your eye safety needs, it is recommended that you book an appointment to see your local optometrist, who can discuss your situation further.

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