Visit our 2 convenient locations!

5900 Heckert Rd.
P.O. Box 324
Bakerstown, PA 15007
724-443-6767 Phone
724-443-6730 Fax

4001 Freeport Rd.
Natrona Heights, PA 15065
724-226-0444 Phone
724-226-0744 Fax

 

October Is Eye Injury Prevention Month

October is Eye Injury Prevention Month. Did you know that nearly 2.5 million people suffer eye injuries each year in the United States, and nearly one million people have lost some degree of vision as a result of their injury? Do you always wear protective eyewear when performing home repairs or maintenance?

According to the fifth-annual Eye Injury Snapshot conducted by the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Society of Ocular Trauma found that:

  • Most people believe that eye injuries are most common on the job — especially in factories and on construction sites. But in fact, nearly half of all eye injuries occurred in the home.
  • Home repairs, yard work, cleaning, and cooking caused more than 40 percent of eye injuries.
  • More than a third of those injuries in the home happened in the kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, living or family room.
  • More than 40 percent of eye injuries every year are related to sports or recreational activities.
  • More than 78 percent of people were not wearing eyewear at the time of injury. Only 5.3 percent of those who were wearing eyewear

Most injuries could have been prevented by wearing protective eyewear.

Could your job land you in the doctor’s office or the ER with an eye injury? According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 20,000 workplace eye injuries happen each year. Injuries on the job often require one or more missed workdays for recovery. The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that nearly three out of every five workers injured were not wearing eye protection at the time of an accident. While you may believe it unnecessary to wear protective glasses at your job, consider the alternative of losing eyesight in one or both eyes.

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. Are you willing to take a risk as it could mean the loss of work, wages and career with no safety net to ensure your financial future?

To help prevent eye injuries and make your workplace safer and take steps to protect your eyesight. Follow the OSHA rules regulations and guidelines.

Eye injuries are not limited to the workplace. Think about the things you do around the house to get ready for winter. Flying debris or other small particles can be created from outside jobs such as trimming shrubs, raking leaves, mowing the lawn and cleaning up after a wind storm. These particles can get into your eyes and have the potential to scratch or damage your eye. Put on protective eyewear before you use a lawnmower, power trimmer or edger and be sure to check for rocks and stones when mowing as they can become dangerous projectiles as they shoot from these machines.

When we think of fall cleanup –many things can occur around the house to get your home ready for winter. Closing up swimming pools, cleaning windows and gutters, as well as 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. Read the labels of chemicals and cleaners carefully, and don’t mix products.

Flying fragments, fumes, dust particles, sparks can occur in the workshop or while doing woodworking projects. For those car buffs, battery acid sparks and debris from damaged or improperly jump-started auto batteries 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.
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.