Make sure to take the proper precautions to keep your eyes safe when completing risky endeavors.

Can you imagine waking up tomorrow without your eyesight? It’s a situation that most of us don’t even want to have to think about. Unfortunately, each year, there are people who lose their eyesight due to various accidents that they encounter. Making sure to use proper eye care safety when completing projects that have any type of risk to the eyes can prevent this horrible situation from becoming a reality in your life. In fact, Prevent Blindness America reports that at least 86,000 people have avoided eyesight loss thanks to proper eye protection.

Situations Requiring Eye Protection

• Many people don’t realize that they need eye protection during the course of regular every day life. They think that this type of safety precaution is only necessary when you’re on a work site or working with dangerous materials. However, that’s not the case. Some very common situations when eye protection is necessary include:
• · Completing home improvement projects. If you are using a hammer or drill to complete a project in your home then you’ll want to protect your eyes. One misstep with these tools can lead to debris flying away from the item and injuring unprotected eyes.
• · Playing certain sports. Any sport where a ball or other item might hit your eye is a sport that requires eye protection. For example, you should never enter a racquetball court without proper eye safety gear.
• · Working with chemicals. You don’t have to be working with dangerous hazardous waste on a work site to be risking the health of your eyes. Even normal household cleaners can be dangerous to eyes. Wear safety glasses or other eye protection when using these items.
• · Cooking with very spicy foods. If you want to cut up the hottest peppers available then you should protect your eyes from the fumes in the kitchen.
• · Doing yard work. For example, when you use the lawnmower you should protect your eyes in case it kicks up stones.

Safety Glasses and Other Tools for Eye Protection

The type of eye protection you need varies depending upon the reason for using the eye protection. Some of the most common tools for protecting the eyes include:

• · Safety glasses. These may be regular-sized glasses similar to sunglasses that are designed for basic safety care. Alternatively, they may be wraparound goggles.
• · Full face shields. Face shields with eye protection may be necessary when doing home improvement projects.
• · Face respirators. These protect the eyes as well as the lungs during potential exposure to dangerous chemicals.
• · Emergency eye wash solution. It is a good idea to keep eyewash in the home just in case a chemical or spice gets into your eye. Work sites may have more detailed emergency eye wash stations

This information from the CDC is helpful:

“The eye protection chosen for specific work situations depends upon the nature and extent of the hazard, the circumstances of exposure, other protective equipment used, and personal vision needs. Eye protection should be fit to an individual or adjustable to provide appropriate coverage.”

Some Tips for Proper Eye Care

The best tip for protecting your eyes is to always use the safety glasses or other items available for eye protection. Remember that it’s always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to protecting your eyesight! Some additional tips to keep in mind include:

• · Take contacts out when working in a risky situation. There are prescription safety glasses available. They are worth the investment.
• · Work in well-ventilated areas when using chemicals. This will reduce exposure to the eyes.
• · Never panic. When your eyes are injured, it’s easy to panic and start grabbing at the area in pain. This often makes the situation worse. Stay calm. Let someone in the vicinity know that you are injured. Get to an eyewash solution immediately if necessary. Call 911 for additional assistance.

Did anything in this article about eye care surprise you? We would love to know so share your response in the comments.

About the Author:

Vera Mosley is a blogger, tweeter, and writer for a safety glasses manufacturer. In her spare time, Vera is an avid health enthusiast and marathon runner. Vera can be reached at www.twitter.com/VMosley.

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