Accidents always seem to happen when we least expect them.
They can happen on a sunny Saturday at the ballpark as you watch your child step up to the plate, they could happen when you’re simply mowing the lawn or when your kids are playing in the house. Unfortunately, eye injuries can occur anywhere–at work, home or at play.
When accidents involve eye injuries, it’s important to know what steps to take. Knowing what to do in the event of an emergency can minimize damage to the eye, ensure optimal healing, and even save vision.
Prevention Is The Best Treatment
We want to make it clear that most eye injuries can be avoided by wearing proper protective eyewear–90 percent, in fact. To protect your eyes and prevent injury, follow the steps below!
- Take precautions in your home to prevent tripping and slipping–accidental falls are the leading cause of eye injury.
- Wear goggles when working with power tools, lawn mowers, weed whackers, etc. Clear rocks and debris before working in the yard.
- Follow safety protocol in the workplace. If you work in an industrial-related position or with chemicals, always wear the recommended protective eyewear.
- Give children age-appropriate toys. Avoid toys with sharp points, protruding edges or projectile parts.
- Wear goggles when working with household chemicals and make sure the nozzle is pointed in the right direction before spraying.
- Sports-related eye injuries occur frequently–use protective eyewear!
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Steps To Take In Case Of Eye Injury
Of course, we understand that accidents can and do happen all the time. The steps you take to address an eye injury will depend on what kind it is–you may have a foreign object in your eye or you may have been hit by a baseball bat. Treatment will vary depending on the type of eye injury you have incurred.
There are, however, some general rules you can follow to make sure you prevent additional damage until you can get to an eye doctor or other medical professional.
- If there is something penetrating your eye, don’t remove the object
- Do not touch, rub or put pressure on the eye
- Flush out chemicals with clean water
- Place a shield (like a small cup) or sterile gauze pad over the eye; cover both eyes to prevent eye movement if possible
- Use an ice pack to reduce swelling when necessary
The best course of action for eye injuries is to seek immediate medical attention. If you are unsure about the severity of your injury, you can call your eye doctor or local hospital or urgent care to see what they recommend.
Don’t Compromise Your Sight
Vision is a precious gift that allows us to see and experience the wonderful world around us! Don’t compromise your sight. Always wear protective eyewear and be aware of the steps to take in case of an emergency. After all, accidents happen in the blink of an eye.
