October is Eye Injury Prevention Month.  For nearly one million people who suffer eye injuries 90% of them could have been prevented with the use of protective eyewear.  Men are more likely to suffer an injury due to sporting accidents, working with chemicals and in woodshops, and operating yard equipment without the proper protection.

Think about the things that happen in the fall. 

Closing up swimming pools, cleaning windows, and other projects around the house that involve the use of chemicals can lead to injury.  Splashing chemicals can burn your eyes causing permanent damage.  When using household chemicals, be sure to work in a well-ventilated area and keep the spray nozzle pointed away from you.

Yardwork is such as trimming shrubs, raking leaves, mowing the lawn and cleaning up after a wind storm can result in flying debris.  These particles can get into your eyes and have the potential to scratch or damage your eye.   Before starting up any outside tools, put on your protective eyewear.

For woodworking enthusiasts, flying fragments, fumes, dust particles, sparks can occur in the workshop or while doing woodworking projects.   Car buffs may encounter battery acid sparks and debris from damaged or improperly jump-started auto batteries that can severely damage your eyes. Learn the proper way to jump-start an automobile, and keep protective goggles in the trunk of your car to use for those emergencies and every day repairs.

Small business owners and independent contractors, you aren’t immune.  How often do you work a “side job” without the proper eye protection?  Whether you work for a large manufacturing company or are an independent business owner, you are subject to injury.  For the small business owner, it could mean the loss of work, wages and career with no safety net to ensure your financial future.

We recommend that every household have at least one pair of ANSI-approved protective eyewear to be worn when doing projects and activities at home to safeguard against eye injuries.

At Bissell Eye Care, we have many options for safety and sports eyewear available both our Bakerstown and Natrona Heights locations.  If you would like to invest in your eye health, consider purchasing a reliable pair of safety glasses! As always, UV Protection is also important for optimum ocular health. Ensuring that the exposure of the eye to harmful UV radiation is as limited as possible is equally as important as wearing protective glasses during risky activities. Sunglasses may be covered under your insurance care provider (especially if they are dispensed with your current prescription). If you have any questions or concerns or would like to schedule an appointment for an eye examination, call us today!  Knowledge is power, keep yourself safe and eyes healthy through proper eye safety protection.

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.