October is Eye Injury Prevention Month. You can experience serious eye injuries while at home, at work, or at play. According to experts, more than 90 percent of eye injuries could be prevented with the use of protective eyewear and some simple precautions.

At Home: When to Use Eye Protection

Closing your pool? Cleaning the house in anticipation of the holidays? Eye injuries due to cleaning chemicals account for over 125,000 eye injuries each year. Eye injuries are also commonly caused during home improvement and yard work. Despite these common injuries, only 3 out of 10 people wear protective eyewear.

The American Academy of Ophthalmologists, recommends wearing protective eyewear if what you are doing involves hazardous chemicals or other substances that could damage your eyes upon contact, flying debris, or other small particles and projectiles. The most effective eyewear is that with a snug fit and wrap-style frame to keep airborne particles from getting behind the lenses.

Staying Safe at Work

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 20,000 eye injuries occur in the workplace annually and often require at least one missed workday for recovery. Workplace eye injuries can range from simple strain to severe and permanent damage. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) determines the eye protection needed to do your job safely. Your company’s human resources department or OSHA compliance overseer will provide the proper guidance on eye safety. (Source: Prevent Workplace Eye Injuries)

Play it Safe: Sports Eye Protection

Eye injuries can also occur in sports and other physical activities. It is essential to consider which kind of eye protection is appropriate for you, as regular eyeglasses can pose more harm than good if they shatter. Projectiles and other sharp objects increase the risk of eye injury, so consider protective sports glasses with shatterproof plastic, also known as polycarbonate lenses, when engaging in sports such as basketball (the leading cause of sports-related eye injuries), racquet sports, soccer, and field hockey.

When selecting your protective eyewear, choose those that have been tested to meet the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards or that pass the CSA racquet sports standard. (Source: Sports Eye Safety)

To learn more about eye safety, or to schedule your annual eye exam, give our offices a call at 724-443-6767 or 724-226-0444.

About Bissell Eye Care: John D. Bissell, OD owns and operates Bissell Eye Care servicing Northern Pittsburgh and Alle-Kiski Valley regions. With two locations to treat patients, we offer evening and Saturday appointments. Bissell Eye Care provides comprehensive eye examinations for the entire family beginning as early as 6 months, ocular disease detection and treatment, eyeglasses, sunglasses, activewear, contact lenses, and low vision examinations for those with significant vision loss. We accept most types of vision and health insurance plans. For more information, visit bisselleyecare.com or call our Bakerstown Office at 724-443-6767 or Natrona Heights office at 724-226-0444.