Eye injuries affect up to 2.5 million people throughout the world every year. This Eye Injury Prevention Month, we want to talk about how you can avoid becoming a victim of an eye injury. Fortunately, many eye injuries can be prevented as long as the proper precautions are taken. Keep reading below to learn more…

• Use eye protection. Any time you are engaging in an activity that could cause damage to your eyes, or you’re around chemicals or cleaners that could affect them, be sure to wear safety goggles or glasses that are approved for the type of activity you are using them for. This includes home maintenance repairs and tasks such as mowing the lawn or weed whacking. In fact, nearly 90% of eye injuries can be prevented as long as you are using proper eye protection. There are many different safety goggles on the market, and the key is to choose one that is approved by Occupational Health and Safety Administration and/or the American National Standards Institute. If you’re engaging in a physical activity or sport that requires the use of safety glasses, ensure the ones you choose are approved for use during those activities.
• Use caution when using chemicals or cleaners that may splash in your eyes. Read all label directions to ensure you know how to seek treatment and what to do in the event of an eye-injury accident.
• Wear UV sunglasses when engaging in sunny, outdoor activities or using a tanning ban to prevent harm to your eyes.
• Practice common sense. Being mindful of your surroundings and using caution when an eye injury is a possibility is a must.
• Don’t let curiosity get the best of you. Humans are by nature curious, but curiosity can lead to preventable accidents and injuries to the eyes and face. For example, you may want to view a solar eclipse, but to do so safely by ensuring you have the proper eyewear. Another example is using caution when looking closely at an interesting plant or animal. Stay a safe distance from what you are looking at if there is a possibility you could be hurt in the process.

If you think you may have an eye injury, don’t wait to seek treatment. The sooner you get checked out, the better. Getting checked out immediately or very soon after an eye injury occurs will decrease the risk of permanent eye or vision damage, as well as prevent complications in treatment. To learn more about how you can prevent eye injuries, click here!