Eye injuries affect more than one million people every year, yet 90 percent of these injuries are preventable with the use of appropriate safety eyewear. Here are some helpful tips to protect you and your family.
At home or outside
- Wash your hands after using household chemicals.
- Ensure there are no sharp corners on the edges of furnishing and home fixtures.
- Wear chemical safety goggles when using hazardous solvents and detergents, and do not mix cleaning agents.
- Turn spray nozzles away from your face.
- Read and follow directions when opening bottles (for example, wine or carbonated beverages).
- Wear recommended protective goggles, helmets, and safety gear.
- Use guards on all power equipment.
At work
- Wear recommended work-related protective gear.
- Wear glasses/contacts with the correct prescription.
- Use proper lighting.
- Clean dust and fingerprints from computer monitors and/or video screens.
- Take frequent breaks to avoid fatigue.
With children
- Select toys that are appropriate for the child's age and activity level.
- Provide adequate supervision during activities that use sharp objects (for example, arts and crafts).
- Do not permit a child to play with projectile toys such as pellet guns, or bows and arrows.
- Beware of items in playgrounds and play areas that pose potential eye hazards.
- Keep all-hazardous cleaning supplies and sprays out of the reach of children.
- Keep children away from fireworks.
- Set an example of using the appropriate protective eyewear during sporting and recreational activities.
- Keep children away from lawnmowers in use, as debris may be projected into the air.
- At school, teach children to wear protective eyewear when performing scientific or lab experiments.
Don't forget to wear your sunglasses
There are many sunglasses designed to protect our eyes from the sun’s harmful effects. Often the labels on sunglasses promise protection from ultraviolet light and other kinds of natural radiation. Always buy sunglasses that say they block 99% of ultraviolet rays.
Long-term exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation in sunlight is linked to eye disease. UVB radiation is considered more dangerous to the eyes and skin than UVA radiation. Polarized sunglasses are also beneficial because they reduce the glare and reflective light from snow and water.